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Can Dogs Eat Human Foods? Knowing What's Safe and Harmful
Can Dogs Eat Human Foods? Knowing What's Safe and Harmful

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Can Dogs Eat Human Foods? Knowing What's Safe and Harmful

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Feeding your dog the right nutrients and a complete, balanced diet doesn’t have to be a head-scratcher. Find out how to choose the right dog food, how often to feed your dog, how to handle treats and supplements, and much more.

We often find ourselves wanting to share our meals with our furry companions. While it's natural to want to share every aspect of our lives with them, should we really include dogs in our gastronomic adventures? Let’s find out!
 

Can dogs eat human foods?

The answer is both yes and no. While dogs are omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, their digestive systems differ significantly from ours. This means that some human foods that are perfectly safe for us can actually be harmful or even toxic to our canine companions.
 

Human foods: What can dogs eat

Here are some safe and healthy human foods dogs can eat:

  • Carrots: Crunchy and delicious, carrots are excellent for dental health and packed with essential nutrients like beta-carotene and vitamin A.
  • Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon promotes healthy skin and coat, and is a good source of protein. Remember to cook it without harmful seasonings or oils.
  • Blueberries: These tiny berries are bursting with antioxidants and fiber, making them a healthy and delicious treat for your dog.
  • Eggs: Scrambled or hard-boiled, cooked eggs are a safe and nutritious protein source for dogs.
  • Peanut butter: Unsweetened and unsalted peanut butter is a tasty and healthy source of fat for your dog. You can even use it to fill puzzle toys for extra mental stimulation.

Human foods: What can dogs not eat

Beware of these common human foods that are toxic to dogs:

  • Chocolate: Contains theobromine, a stimulant that can cause heart problems, vomiting, seizures, and even death in dogs.
  • Grapes and raisins: These pose a risk of kidney failure in dogs, even in small quantities.
  • Onions and garlic: Toxic even in small quantities, these can cause anemia and damage red blood cells in dogs.
  • Avocado: The flesh and pit of avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis in dogs.
  • Macadamia nuts: These nuts can cause weakness, tremors, hyperthermia, and even death in dogs.

Additional tips:

  • Always introduce new foods slowly to avoid digestive upset.
  • Moderation is key. Even safe foods should be given in moderation to avoid weight gain and other health problems.
  • Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about specific foods or your dog's health.

Choosing the right food for your dog

While it's certainly tempting to share our meals with our beloved furry companions, it's crucial to remember that their dietary needs are distinct from ours. Human foods, even those seemingly harmless, can be detrimental to a dog's health.
 

Why? Unlike human food, dog food is specially formulated to meet their specific nutritional requirements. It's a carefully balanced diet packed with proteins, essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients vital for their overall well-being.
 

Why specialised dog food matters

  • Balanced nutrition: Dog food is carefully formulated to provide all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs for optimal growth and development. It ensures they receive the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber, promoting a healthy immune system, strong bones and muscles, and a shiny coat.
  • Digestive health: Human food can be difficult for dogs to digest, leading to gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dog food is designed to be easily digestible by their sensitive systems, promoting optimal nutrient absorption and gut health.
  • Specific needs: Different breeds and life stages have varying nutritional requirements. Puppies need additional energy and nutrients for growth, while older dogs may require a diet lower in calories and fat. Specialised dog food caters to these specific needs, ensuring your furry friend receives the right nutrition for their age and breed.

For instance, IAMS dog food is crafted with your dog's health in mind. It provides a range of benefits such as:

  • Strong and healthy bones and muscles: IAMS dog food is rich in protein, which is crucial for supporting healthy growth and development.
  • Shiny coat and healthy skin: The food contains essential fatty acids that contribute to a radiant coat and healthy skin.
  • Enhanced immunity: IAMS provides vital nutrients that help boost your dog's immune system, protecting them from illnesses.
  • Improved digestive health: The food contains prebiotics and probiotics that promote healthy digestion and gut health.

Our ultimate goal is to take the best care of our dogs. This means feeding them with nutrient-rich foods that cater to their specific dietary needs. By choosing the right food, like IAMS products, you ensure that your dog stays healthy, energetic, and happy.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Can I feed my dog healthy human food?
  2. Yes, you can feed your dog certain healthy human foods. Carrots, cooked salmon, blueberries, cooked eggs, and unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter are safe options. However, always introduce new foods gradually and in moderation to avoid digestive issues and ensure your dog's health.

  3. Can you cook human foods for dogs?
  4. Cooking human foods for dogs is possible, provided you choose safe ingredients and avoid harmful seasonings or oils. Foods like scrambled eggs, plain cooked salmon, and carrots are nutritious for dogs. Remember, cooked meals should complement, not replace, a diet primarily made of dog-specific food.

  5. What is the best food to feed my dog?
  6. The best food for your dog is a balanced diet formulated specifically for their nutritional needs. Brands like IAMS offer [dog food] that provides balanced nutrition, including proteins, essential vitamins, and minerals. These cater to specific life stages and breeds, ensuring your dog's overall well-being.

  • Best Antioxidants For Dogs - Benefits & Importance - IAMS™ Singapore
    Best Antioxidants For Dogs - Benefits & Importance - IAMS™ Singapore

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    A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs

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    Antioxidants are naturally-occurring essential nutrients that help maintain your dog’s health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. IAMS™ research has been focusing on advancing antioxidant nutrients for senior dogs — and the benefit is improved immune function. Discover how the antioxidants in IAMS™ products can benefit your dog’s health in a number of ways.

     

    Benefits of antioxidants for dogs

    Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and certain compounds called carotenoids (like lutein and beta-carotene). When antioxidants are a part of a dog’s complete diet, they can provide the following benefits:

     

    • Slowing the oxidative process of cellular molecules
    • Reversing immune-cell function in senior dogs

     

    How antioxidants work

    As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules such as fat, protein, or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.

    This continues in a chain reaction, and causes cells to die. This process is called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness, and it kills germs and parasites. However, when left unchecked, peroxidation also destroys or damages healthy cells.

    Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilise free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilise other cellular components.

    When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells, which can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infections.

     

    Antioxidants in IAMS™ adult dog and puppy foods

    Antioxidants offer countless benefits to our furry friends. And it is imperative that their food is loaded with it. Want to know why? Read on.

    Why do dogs need antioxidants?

    Antioxidants are a must for dogs as they are exposed to significantly more toxins than humans. These antioxidants work like protective agents within the dog’s body, battling free radicals that cause symptoms and diseases like skin problems.

    Furthermore, giving liver antioxidants for dogs will boost liver health and eliminate toxins from their body more efficiently. The liver will convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins to easily flush them from your pet’s body through the GI tract and kidneys.

    Recent research has examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of dogs, and the results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping dogs maintain a healthy immune system.

    IAMS™ adult and puppy formulas contain optimal levels of antioxidants such as:

     

    Antioxidant

    Source

    Function

    Vitamin E

    Plant oil extract and tocopherols

    Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation

    Beta-carotene

    Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken by-product meal and chicken fat

    Optimizes types of cell present in the blood,
    increases antibody levels in the blood

     

    Now that you know how dog food with antioxidants can benefit your dog, here’s a list of the best antioxidants for dogs: 

    Best antioxidants for dogs

    Vitamin C

    • One of the most essential vitamins for a dog's health
    • Aids in wound healing and reducing inflammation
    • Provides energy so your dog can enjoy playing outside all day

    Vitamin E

    •  One of the best antioxidants for dogs with cancer
    •  Provides a natural boost to the immune system
    •  Supports healthy blood vessels and protects against diabetes and heart disease

    Beta Carotene

    • It is a fantastic dietary addition for your dog.
    • Helps boost the number of antibodies in blood and offers additional protection against diseases in older dogs

    Polyphenols

    • Excellent antioxidants for dogs as they help maintain your pet’s health and strength for many years
    • Shields from diseases like cancer or diabetes 

     

    Sources of antioxidants for dogs

    You can find natural antioxidants for dogs in the following:


    Fruits and Vegetables

    The antioxidant content of plant-based foods is high. Foods that are highest in antioxidants are fruits and vegetables as they are loaded with vitamins and beneficial in countless ways. Some examples of excellent sources of antioxidants are blueberries, strawberries, pears, red cabbages, and kale. Make sure to check which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to consume.


    Supplements

    Give your dog the best vitamins you can, so your pooch stays healthy. It is crucial that dogs receive a supplement that is specifically designed for their life stage. 

    Look for dog food with antioxidants and nutrients that are bioactive and bioavailable so that these get absorbed properly into your dog’s body. Make sure that the supplement you choose has the ideal ratio of natural elements for your pet’s needs. That can be accomplished by looking for a combination of prebiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

    For a healthy body from the inside, you can also feed your pooch IAMSTM Proactive HealthTM dog food. Find the products that are best for your dog by shopping based on your pet’s age.

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