What Human Food Can I Feed My Pet?

If you want to give your dog a special treat even after the holidays, here are some better alternatives.

Did you know that most vet emergencies during the holidays are food-related? From a dog accidentally eating lechon or even a sip of your Christmas cocktail, the rise of Christmas dinners and noche buena increases the risk of your pet eating table scraps that aren’t healthy for them. 

If you want to give your dog a special treat even after the holidays, here are some better alternatives. 

1. Cooked unseasoned chicken 

Benefits: 

• High-quality protein for muscle maintenance and energy 

• Easy to digest 

• Often used in diets for dogs with sensitive stomachs 

How to feed chicken safely: 

• Make sure it’s plain (no salt, spices, garlic, or onion) 

• Remove bones 

• Remove skin 

2. Cooked eggs 

Benefits: 

• Supports skin and coat health 

• Rich in Vitamin A, B12, Iron 

• Good for dogs recovering from illness 

How to feed eggs safely: 

• Make sure they’re cooked (scrambled or boiled) 

• No butter, oil, salt, or seasoning

• Never feed raw eggs! 

3. Plain rice 

Benefits: 

• Rarely causes food allergies in dogs 

• Helps calm upset stomachs, diarrhea, and vomiting 

How to feed rice safely: 

• Serve rice cooled, not hot 

• Cooked thoroughly with no seasonings 

• White rice is better for stomach issues (and easier to digest) than brown rice 

4. Carrots 

Benefits: 

• Good for teeth 

• Low calories for dogs that might need to watch their weight 

• High in vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants 

How to feed carrots safely: 

• Cut into small pieces to prevent choking 

• Wash and peel 

• Raw carrots are better for teeth but cooked carrots are better for sensitive stomachs 

5. Apples 

Benefits: 

• Help freshen your dog’s breath 

• Rich in Vitamins A and C 

• Lowe in fat and calories 

How to feed apples safely: 

• Remove the seeds and core (these could be dangerous!) 

• Wash thoroughly

• Cut into small slices or cubes 

While these five examples of “human” foods are safe for your pet, they are not meant to completely substitute your pet’s dog food. Giving your dog a 100% human diet could deprive them of essential nutrients and lead to health problems in the future.

Share on: