Can Dogs Eat … ?

It’s one of the top internet searches in Australasia: ‘Can dogs eat… *this, that, or the other*’. In New Zealand alone Kiwis punch this question into our phones and computers nearly 50,000 times a month. (In Australia mind you, folks type search for it more than half a million times a month! )

That’s a whole lotta interest in what dogs can and can’t eat. And of course, it’s a natural question for us dog owners to ask. Because you name it and our dogs have probably eaten it. With and without our consent.

It stands to reason therefore, that us doggo mums ‘n dads worry whether those leftover fish and chips, pavlova and fruit salad will give our pooch cause for pause. AKA, have an ill-effect on their, erm, digestive tract. Or whether worse dangers could result.

We’re here to answer these questions. In three… two… one… find out now!

Can dogs eat bread?

The most asked question is can dogs eat bread? And the answer is a simple yes!

Many of us probably ask ourselves this very same question: Can we eat bread? Is X amount bread good for us? And so on. Turns out, your answer applies to pooch too.

Although bread isn’t harmful to your dog, it doesn’t provide them with any goodness either. For this reason, it’s best to avoid adding sandwiches to their diet. BTW, while we’re on the topic of bread, if you’re big on spreads, you might also want to read can dogs eat Vegemite for a detailed answer.

Another hot note worth remembering is that raw dough (home chefs, listen up!) contains yeast that hasn’t been cooked. If your dog eats raw dough or yeast on its own it can cause a bloated sore tummy known as bread dough toxicosis.

Can dogs eat apples?

Turns out an apple a day keeps the vet at bay too! Another juicy snack you and your perfect pooch can both eat. Just avoid letting bow-wow consume the apple core. Although the apple flesh is great for digestion thanks to its fibre, the seeds on the other hand aren’t safe as they contain cyanide.

Also the core could be a choking hazard so remove it first. Read about choking hazards and accidental ingestion here and get your top tips for animal CPR.

Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that apples can help your dog’s teeth and gums stay cleaner and healthier. Combine that and regular dog teeth cleaning and you’re away.

And did you know our Deluxe dog insurance plan includes dental cover too? That’s goodbye tooth and gum problems and hello sparkly whites.

Can dogs eat watermelon?

Watermelon is a family favourite in many Kiwi households. And it stands to reason you want to include your pooch in the tastebud fun too, and you can. But can dogs eat watermelon? Provided you remove the seeds they can.

Given that’s a bit of an arduous task, you can always opt for seedless watermelons for the whole family. Watermelon is jam-packed with goodness. It includes vitamins, potassium, electrolytes and antioxidants.

Can dogs eat grapes… NO!

If you’re wondering can dogs eat grapes, the answer is a big fat NO! You might think grapes fit right into a fruit cocktail along with watermelon and apples but they simply don’t for dogs. However innocent grapes may seem, they are in fact poisonous to pets and in the same vein so are raisins.

Even a single grape or raisin can be cause for a visit to the vet. Read what happened to Harvey the Schnauzer when he accidentally got hold of a grape.

Can dogs eat broccoli?

So clearly some greens are good and others are bad. But can dogs eat broccoli (please let it be a yes)! You’re in luck, provided it’s cooked you can give your pup broccoli. Well some parts of it anyway…

The florets (or treetops) and the stalks affect your dog’s tummy in different ways. If your pooch eats too much of the florets these can cause a tummy upset. So by all means, make broccoli dog treats, but do limit how much and how often you give your dog these greens.

Be sure to cut the broccoli into small pieces to avoid choking and to make digestion smoother.

While we’re on the topic of greens, find out why dogs eat grass and get familiar with these poisonous plants for dogs and cats.

Can dogs eat cheese?

Cheese is a bit of a grey area. It’s not exactly toxic, but sometimes dogs are lactose intolerant or have allergic reactions. They’re smaller than cows and their digestive tract may not be happy processing milk from a great big cow.

Not to mention milk often contains the hormones and antibiotics fed to cows to keep them from getting sick. These additives can also affect your dog’s stomach. Of course all this applies to lots of humans too!

All that said, if you find your dog has no adverse reactions, a small piece of occasional cheese can be a treat.

What about fancy cheeses – can dogs eat blue cheese for example? No, dogs can be highly sensitive to the cultures used to make blue cheese. It produces a substance called roquefortine C, which can affect dogs by causing diarrhoea, vomiting and in some cases even seizures. Read about seizures and Beagle epilepsy here.

The rule of thumb, or rather, the rule of cheese is to only feed your dog tiny amounts of plain cheese. That means no cheeses with added ingredients like onions, herbs or garlic.

BTW, if you ever wonder how to give medicine to your puppy, know cheese can be a good way to disguise it.

What about mango?

Yes, dogs can eat mango though be sure to remove the seed and skin. Mango makes another fruitful addition to your dog’s diet. If they like it, it’s an interesting addition to their healthy fresh snacks.

It’s got fibre and vitamins but like all fruit just don’t overdo it. You want the fruit to stay in. Too much too often or too fast will see it going in and coming out the other end just as fast. That’s no fun for your dog or you!

Can dogs eat pineapple?

Pineapple is weird and wonderful at the best of times. Us humans eat it happily until it starts to burn our tongues. Legend has it that this prickly fruit can actually induce labour (don’t quote us on that, we’re not sure either). So can dogs eat pineapple? Yes!

Pineapple isn’t exactly a food your doggo craves or anything like that. But its wholesome fruitiness is packed with goodness. In fact you could, on occasion, even replace regular dog treats with a bit of pineapple. Feel free to blend into a dog smoothie or crush and freeze until soft-but-firm enough for dog sorbet.

If your dog doesn’t like it, don’t force the issue. And like any fruit, limit intake to avoid an upset stomach.

Also be sure all of the peel and hairs from the peel are well removed to avoid irritation – just like you would for your fellow humans.

And popcorn?

To be on the safe side it’s a no. Technically speaking plain popcorn that’s air-popped can be safe for El Poocho. However, this needs to be a rare snack and absolutely 100% free of toppings.

From butter to salt to salt to msg, the flavoursome toppings laden on top of popcorn are generally bad for pets. Read about other common household things you might not realise can be harmful to pets.

Next time you’re binge-watching The Cuphead Show on Netflix and you drop a few bits of popcorn on the rug, your dog will probably mop them faster than you can stop him. Not to worry, just don’t make it a habit is all.

Dog insurance for a ‘can do’ approach to protecting pets

Pet proofing your home is a great step to a safer environment for pets. So too is knowing what dangers can potentially poison your pet. However, even with all the preparation in the world, accidents, injuries and illness can still happen now and again. Or plenty (some of us are unlucky!)

These are the times you want to know your pet insurance has your back and is giving your pet a soft landing. Pet insurance covers a multitude of pet health needs and saves your pocket the trouble.

Click below to price a plan today – it’s easy, affordable and you can do it all online.