Complete dog food contains all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs in its diet. So, you don’t need to supplement their diet with fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood. But if you feel like treating your dog to something new, or they’re giving you those puppy dog eyes while you’re eating your dinner, it’s important to know what’s safe for them to eat.

When introducing new food to your dog, always do it slowly to avoid causing an upset stomach. Contact your vet if your dog displays any signs of an allergic reaction, like vomiting, diarrhoea, itching or respiratory issues like wheezing.

Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower?

Yes, it’s safe to feed your dog cauliflower, but it should only be fed from time to time. Cauliflower is high in fibre, so too much can cause digestive problems including gas and diarrhoea. It can be fed raw or cooked, but keep in mind that the stem can be quite hard when uncooked so could be a choking hazard. Cooking also makes them easier to digest so reduces the risk of gas.

Cauliflower is a great source of vitamin C, K And B6, along with potassium and manganese. These nutrients promote a healthy heart, support the immune system and aid digestion.

Can Dogs Eat Prawns?

Yes, dogs can eat small quantities of prawns, but they should be peeled and cooked first. Raw prawns can carry harmful bacteria and prawn shells can be a choking hazard. Some dogs can develop seafood allergies, so keep an eye out for wheezing, an upset tummy, or itching.

Prawns are a great source of protein and omega-3 and 6. They’re also rich in nutrients and minerals, which help with brain health, thyroid health, and skin and coat. They can help to improve joint conditions, contribute to strong bones and teeth, and can boost kidney function. So overall a very tasty and nutritious treat for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Pears?

Yes, pears are a great snack for dogs as they’re high in copper, fibre, and vitamins C and K. But don’t let your dog eat the seeds as they contain traces of cyanide which is toxic to dogs. Also remove the stem and core. The skin can be left on but give it a good wash before feeding it to your dog.

Avoid canned or jarred pears as they’re kept in a sugary syrup. Keep pears as an occasional treat and cut it into bite-sized pieces for you dog to enjoy. Too many pears can cause tummy upset, including vomiting and diarrhoea, especially if it’s a newly introduced food item.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

No, garlic contains thiosulfate which is toxic to dogs. It causes oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia. Symptoms of garlic toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dehydration, loss of appetite and depression. Garlic granules are even more toxic, so make sure you check food labels for this ingredient before giving anything to your dog.

You may have seen advertised garlic supplements for dogs as a natural flea and tick preventative. There is little conclusive evidence of this, and the known risks should be taken into account. A small amount of garlic may not lead to toxicity, but this is dependent on the dog. Some dogs are more sensitive to garlic toxicity than others.

Can Dogs Eat Carrots?

Yes, carrots are an excellent low-calorie snack for dogs. They’re high in fibre, which keeps the digestive system healthy. They’re also high in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A. This is needed for good vision and eye health, a strong immune system, and healthy skin and mucous membranes.

Crunchy carrot sticks are also great for your dog’s teeth. Frozen carrot sticks make great teething chews. But keep an eye on your dog when giving them raw and frozen carrot as it can be a choking hazard.

Make sure the carrots are washed first to remove dirt and pesticides. You can also give your dog cooked carrot, but avoid adding any seasoning, oil, or butter.

Can Dogs Eat Peas?

Yes, green peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas and garden peas are all safe for your dog to eat. They contain several vitamins and minerals and are rich in protein and fibre. They’re beneficial for a dog’s skin, heart, and eye health.

Fresh or frozen peas are great treat options but avoid canned as they contain added salt. However, you should avoid giving peas to dogs that suffer from kidney problems.

Peas contain purines, which are a naturally occurring group of compounds. Within the body, these are converted into uric acid, which is filtered through healthy kidneys. If uric acid levels are too high, it can lead to kidney stones and other kidney issues.

Can Dogs Eat Peppers?

Yes, dogs can eat all colours of bell peppers. Red peppers have the highest vitamin and mineral content because they grow on the vine for longer. Peppers contain vitamin A, B6, C, E, as well as lutein and beta-carotene. These are important for a healthy immune system, and skin, coat, and eye health.

As with all new foods, bell peppers should be introduced slowly and fed in moderation. Stop feeding them to your dog if they display any signs of tummy upset. You can steam or puree the peppers to make it easier to consume and digest, as the skin can be difficult to chew. It’s also a good idea to remove the seeds.

Can Dogs Eat Pork?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked pork every now and then, but don’t add any seasonings or spice rubs as they may contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Sauces should also be avoided as they’re often high in salt and sugar and contain garlic and onion granules.

It’s not safe to feed your dog raw or uncooked pork as it may be infected with Trichinella parasites. These can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, lethargy, muscle inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Dogs with a weaker immune system will be more susceptible to these symptoms. Pork can be difficult for dogs to digest which can lead to indigestion and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), so only give your dog small amounts.

Pork and other meat bones should be avoided as they’re not fully safe. Cooked bones can be fragile and brittle, causing it to splinter into sharp pieces. These can damage the oesophagus and internal organs if swallowed.

Avoid processed meats like bacon and sausages as they contain carcinogens that have been linked to cancer. They’re also rich and fatty with a high salt content, which will likely cause an upset tummy, dehydration, or bloat. Eating large amounts can cause pancreatitis, which can be fatal.

Can Dogs Eat Tuna?

No, it’s not recommended to feed your dog tuna because it has much higher levels of mercury than other fish. Dogs can suffer from mercury poisoning if they consume too much mercury. This can cause severe and potentially fatal health problems. Symptoms include vomiting blood, tremors, loss of feeling in paws, hair loss, blindness, watery or bloody diarrhoea.

Tuna can also cause damage to the kidneys which will affect your dog’s ability to urinate and causes abdominal swelling. Take your dog to the vet immediately if they exhibit any of these symptoms. Don’t worry if your canine companion pinches some tuna off your plate. A tiny amount won’t cause mercury poisoning.

If you want to treat your dog to some fish, there are much safer options with much lower mercury levels, including salmon, herring, white fish, flounder, and Artic char.

Can Dogs Eat Courgette?

Yes, courgettes (also known as zucchini) are safe for your dog to eat. It’s a good source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, and folate. These vitamins and minerals are important for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, vision, and immune system.

Courgettes are probably one of the best vegetables to feed a dog. But be aware that large quantities of courgette can cause gas or other digestive problems, so keep them as an occasional treat rather than a core part of your dog's diet. Courgette can be served to your dog cooked, raw or frozen, but make sure you cut into small pieces first. Large uncooked pieces could be a choking hazard.

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Additional content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/canis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.