Safe
30 entries · show all
- ApplesSafeApple flesh is safe and popular. Remove the core and pips — apple seeds contain a cyanide precursor, though a dog would need to chew a great many to be poisoned.
- AsparagusSafeAsparagus is safe but tough. Cook it — raw stalks are hard to chew and can cause an obstruction.
- BananasSafeBanana flesh is safe in small amounts. It is high in sugar, so it is a treat rather than a staple, and the peel is best avoided.
- Basil, parsley, mint, rosemary, cilantro and thymeSafeCommon culinary herbs are safe in the small quantities a dog would ever eat. Concentrated essential oils are a different matter.
- Bell peppersSafeSweet bell peppers are safe and a good source of vitamin C. Red are the most nutrient-dense. Hot peppers are a different matter.
- BlueberriesSafeBlueberries are safe, low in calories and genuinely useful as a training treat — small enough to give a lot of them without overfeeding.
- CarrotsSafeCarrots are one of the best everyday treats — low calorie, high fibre, and the crunch is good for teeth.
- CatnipSafeCatnip is safe for dogs — it simply does not do much to them. The euphoric response is a cat trait; in dogs it acts as a mild sedative if anything.
- CelerySafeCelery is safe and very low in calories. Cut it across the fibres — the long strings can be difficult for dogs to manage.
- Cooked salmonSafeThoroughly cooked, boneless salmon is safe and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Raw salmon is a different matter entirely.
- CucumberSafeCucumber is safe and one of the lowest-calorie treats available — useful for dogs that need to lose weight.
- Green beansSafeGreen beans are safe, filling and very low in calories — a genuinely useful food for a dog on a weight-loss plan.
- MangoSafeMango flesh is safe in moderation. Remove the stone, which is both a choking hazard and contains a cyanide precursor.
- Papaya, kiwi, guava and other tropical fruitSafeThe flesh of these fruits is safe in small amounts. Remove the skin and, importantly, the seeds — papaya seeds in quantity are not advisable.
- PearsSafePear flesh is safe. Remove the core and seeds, which contain the same cyanide precursor as apple pips.
- PeasSafePlain peas are safe and are a common ingredient in commercial dog food.
- PineappleSafeFresh pineapple flesh is safe in small amounts. Skip the skin and the tough core.
- Plain cooked chickenSafePlain cooked chicken is an excellent treat and a standard part of a bland diet for an upset stomach. No bones, no skin, no seasoning.
- Plain cooked turkeySafePlain cooked turkey meat is safe. The problems at Christmas are the skin, the bones and the seasoning, not the turkey itself.
- Plain oatmealSafePlain cooked oatmeal is safe and a useful source of soluble fibre, especially for older dogs.
- Plain riceSafePlain boiled rice is safe and is the usual base for a bland diet when a dog has an upset stomach.
- PumpkinSafePlain pumpkin is safe and often recommended by vets for mild digestive upsets, because its soluble fibre helps firm up loose stools.
- QuinoaSafeCooked plain quinoa is safe and is a complete protein — it appears in a number of commercial dog foods.
- Radish, jicama, okra and turnipSafeThese root and pod vegetables are safe plain and in small amounts. Radish is peppery and many dogs will not want it.
- Raspberries, blackberries and cranberriesSafeThese berries are safe in moderation. Raspberries contain a trace of xylitol, but nowhere near enough to matter at treat quantities.
- SardinesSafeSardines in water are one of the better fish options — small, low in mercury and rich in omega-3. Choose water rather than oil or brine.
- StrawberriesSafeStrawberries are safe in moderation — high in fibre and vitamin C, and also fairly high in natural sugar.
- Sweet potatoSafeCooked sweet potato is safe, well tolerated and a good source of fibre and beta-carotene. Never feed it raw.
- Sweetcorn kernelsSafeCorn kernels off the cob are safe and are a normal ingredient in dog food. The cob itself is a serious hazard.
- WatermelonSafeWatermelon flesh is safe and hydrating. Skip the rind and the seeds — both can cause obstruction.