Can My Dog Eat That? [8 Tasty Treats You Can Share With Your Dog]

Written By L&C Contributor Lena Samford @lenasamford.

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Have you ever been cooking and stumbled over your dog once...twice...or more as they’re hoping to get any scraps that may fall from your cutting board?

Well, my girl Indi is notorious for this.  In fact, she has lovingly earned the nickname Indi-kitchen (get it in-da-kitchen? Yes I know, bad dog mom jokes are a thing). If someone is in the kitchen, she is too —looking up with the sweetest almond eyes, begging for any scraps we can spare.  And trust me, her puppy dog eyes work.  But I have to make sure that I’m giving her food that is safe to eat.

Dogs don’t need large amounts of veggies and fruits like humans do, but they can reap some of the same benefits we get from eating them!  Instead of giving them treats that are filled with the bad stuff (I’m looking at you - artificial chemicals and preservatives), small amounts of the human foods listed below would be a great substitute for store-bought treats and potentially help to reduce your waste in the kitchen!

So if you’re feeling generous and want to treat your dog with the same tasty treats you’re eating, here are a few of my top tips for sharing safely!

Tips:

• As with anything, moderation is key.  Treats should only be given on occasion and shouldn’t take up more than 10% of your pooch’s daily diet.
• When trying out new foods, make sure you only try a small amount at a time and see how they do overnight.  The last thing you need is to be cleaning up a mess they made because the food didn’t sit right in their puppy bellies!
• Always consult your veterinarian before switching your dog’s diet.
• Any food you give your dog should not have seasoning or sauces.
• Rotate the treats you decide to give your pet — they need a well balanced diet too!
• Foods that your dog should never ingest include:
• Onions
• Almonds
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Garlic

*Click here for more information regarding Isothiocyanate, Manganese and Xylitol.

If you're feeling really creative, you can even make your dog a treat with these ingredients mixed together, like these simple Peanut Butter Coconut Bites! 

Peanut Butter Coconut Bites Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup Peanut Butter

1 cup Coconut Oil

1 tsp Cinnamon

(P.S. Feel free to use my discount code "lindseyandcocopga" when shopping at Public Goods to save 15% off your first order!)

Recipe:

Step 1:  Melt all ingredients in a pot on medium-low heat until melted and thoroughly combined.

Step 2: Pour into an ice tray or food grade silicone mold and freeze until set.

Step 3: Have your pup do a trick and earn a treat!

Store in the refrigerator.  These ingredients have a long shelf life, but it is recommended not to leave them over a month in the fridge.

Special thanks to Lena Samford for contributing this awesome piece.  Please follow her @lenasamford on Instagram for more sustainable pet-friendly living and fitness tips.