Dog food isn't the only thing in your pantry that your dog can safely enjoy. The odds are good that you already have plenty of affordable and healthy treats for your pup that they'll love! Below, we've compiled nine common foods that are not only safe for dogs—they can be a strong and beneficial part of their diet! Your dog wants so much more than just dry or canned food, and you can help.
When you're running low on dog food (or you just want to give your dog an extra treat with whatever's to hand), use this list as a reference for what your dog should eat and why!
Peanut Butter
Serve your dog unsalted peanut butter without any artificial sweeteners. Raw peanut butter offers healthy fats, vitamins B & E, and niacin. Another advantage—it's a slightly longer-lasting treat than most dog biscuits or meat treats.
Raw, Bone-In Chicken
Raw chicken (and their bones) are safe for dogs to eat. When uncooked, chicken bones are chewy and soft, preventing splintering and keeping them from being a choking hazard. Just make sure that it's fresh!
Whole Carrots
Carrots are high in fiber, low in fat, and have a texture that are good for your dog's dental health. If you have a dog with a weight problem, carrots are also a great way to give them a snack while keeping their calorie count low. Carrots also have plenty of vitamins, but you'll need to cook the carrots in order for dogs to benefit from them—they can't digest raw cellulose.
Non-Fat, Unsweetened Yogurt
As a rare treat, yogurt is good for your dog's digestion. Non-sweetened, plain yogurt with live cultures is best—these contain probiotics, which promotes a healthy digestive system. However, if your dog has never had yogurt before, take it slow. In general, dogs are unable to digest products containing lactose (but the live cultures in raw yogurt break down the lactose more effectively).
It's vital that your yogurt contain
no sugars or artificial sweeteners,
especially xylitol. Xylitol is toxic for pups.
Eggs
Eggs contain amino acids, riboflavin, Vitamin A, iron, and selenium. Because yolks are a little high in cholesterol, this treat might be best for active or healthy dogs (as opposed to overweight ones). However, even with cholesterol, eggs are one of the best-rounded and pleasing treats you can give a pup.
Raw eggs are best for taking advantage of the vitamin benefits. Eggs shouldn't be a staple in your pup's diet, but a few eggs a week is fine.
If you want to feed your dog the egg shell as well (which is healthy and safe), make sure you get the eggs from a local source. Larger egg providers sometimes spray down egg shells to make them shiny. Grind up the shells to maximize safety and minimize the mess.
Plain Cooked Oatmeal
Oatmeal without any sugars, sweeteners, or additives can be a great way to promote your dog's digestive health. While not super beneficial as a regular meal, a half cup of oatmeal on occasion is a great way to create regularity or help treat bowel issues.
The primary benefit of oats is as a source of fiber. It's a stabilizing food, so if your dog is having stomach issues, consider buying raw, plain oats. Oatmeal also serves as a source of iron and is a great low-calorie, low-fat treat. Feel free to add an egg or a pinch of cinnamon—just avoid using milk or sugars.
Brown Rice
Some dog owners feed their older dogs white rice, as it is easy-to-digest and a dependable source of energy. However, if you want a treat that offers more protein with less fat and less starch, brown rice is also safe for your dog. In fact, a lot of high-quality dog food in stores contain brown rice as a filler. Brown rice also offers fiber to combat constipation.
If you're putting your pup on a special diet (or just want to stretch their food a little), mix the cooked brown rice with their food. However, some dogs are allergic to rice. Keep an eye out for these symptoms if your dog has never had rice before: hair loss, excessive itching, and ear infections.
Baked Sweet Potato
One of the only times dogs can enjoy a sweet treat is through a sweet potato. Sweet potatoes contain plenty of fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, manganese, and other factors to promote your dog's general health. They contain a whole host of minerals, including calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. The flavor also helps it go down fast—in general, pups enjoy the sweet flavor of sweet potatoes.
Just make sure it cools before you feed it to your pet—you don't want them to burn their mouths!
Raw or Canned Pumpkin
Almost every form of unsweetened, natural pumpkin is good for your dog. Pumpkin seeds, when roasted and left unsalted, can offer protein and carbohydrates. They also contain an amino acid that acts as a natural deworming agent and can paralyze tapeworms and other intestinal guests. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling) or raw pumpkin contains fiber that helps with your pup's digestion—it even serves as a solution for diarrhea.
It contains vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, zinc, and other things that improve your dog's health and appearance. Pumpkin is also a great diet aid for your dog—the fiber can help your pet feel full well before consuming too many calories.