SAFE TREATS FOR YOUR DOG

TUE, 27 JUN 2017 BY LINDA ROSADO

Dogs may be the best people, but just because you can eat whatever you want, doesn’t mean your furry friend should be fed the same things people eat, too. Summer is officially here, which means the number of cookouts and dinner parties you throw are bound to increase.

To make sure your pets stay safe and properly satiated this summer, we’ve created this handy checklist of foods Fido should and shouldn’t chow down on.

SAFE TO EAT TREATS

Bread – Fine in small amounts, homemade breads are fine for dogs. They don’tprovide any nutritional value and can lead to weight gain (like in humans) if consumed too often.
Cheese – A bit of cheese is permissible, as long asyour dog hasn’t been diagnosed with lactose intolerance.
Coconut – Filled with fiber and medicinal properties, coconut meat and oil are safe for ingestion.
Corn – Used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods and feeds, corn is safe to eat, but may cause blockage if served on the cob.
Eggs – Fully cooked and shelled is the way to go. They are a great source of protein and are even known to help with stomachaches.
Fish – Containing good fats, fish is a great, healthy protein alternative. Serve fully cooked, and limit their intake to about two servings a week.
Honey – Packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals, honey is safe to eat, and can also be used as a topical treatment for burns and minor cuts.
Peanut butter – The raw, unsalted kind is the best and healthiest way to introduce heart-healthy fats and vitamins to your pet’s diet.
Peanuts – They’re safe and packed with protein and good fats. Just try to avoid the salted version.

Cashews – Much like peanuts, avoid the salted version and limit your dog’s intake, as too many can lead to excessive weight gain.
Popcorn – Unsalted and unbuttered is the best way to go. Make sure all the kernels are popped before feeding them, as they can become a choking hazard, especially for small dogs.
Pork – Dogs are least likely to be allergic to pork, and it provides a high-calorie, highly digestible source of protein. Do not feed raw pork, or any other meat, to your pets.
Shrimp – A few, here and there, are fine for your dog, but make sure they are fully cooked and the shell is completely removed.
Turkey – Plain, cooked turkey is a delicious treat for dogs. Just makes sure they are free of any seasonings, including garlic, which can be very toxic to pets.
Yogurt – Yes. Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for dogs. It is rich with protein and calcium. The active bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system with probiotics. Be sure to skip over yogurts with added sugars and artificial sweeteners.

DANGEROUS FOOD FOR DOGS

Almonds – Due to their shape, they can cause windpipe blockage, if not chewed completely. Salted almonds can also contribute to increased water retention, which is fatal to dogs prone to heart disease.
Chocolate – Under absolutely no circumstances should your dog ingest or be fed chocolate. It can mess with a dog’s metabolic processes and cause ailments like diarrhea, seizures, and even death. Contact your vet immediatelyif you think a pet has ingested chocolate.
Garlic – Much like onions, leeks and chives, garlic comes from the same family, and is five times more toxic than the rest. Keep raw and dried garlic away from dogs. This includes any seasonings that contain garlic, too.
Ice cream – Not recommended, especially for those that can’t process dairy well. There are brands that make specialized doggy “ice cream” that don’t contain dairy or artificial sugars.
Macadamia nuts – Highly toxic to dogs, macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk, lethargy, and even affect their nervous system.

BE POO-PARED

There may be times when your pooch will get a hold of something that you don’t notice until it’s time to do their business. If that happens at a dog park, for example, use a nearby dog waste station to collect the stool sample, and take it to your local vet to get a proper analysis. DOGIPOT®’s pet stations come with sturdy, durable dog waste bag dispensers, so you won’t have to worry about breakage.