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Dog food for thought: What can and can’t my dog eat?

TrustedHousesitters blog author - Liam Beauchamp
Liam Beauchamp
30 January 20194 min read
dog in garden looking at food bowl.

Updated 16/11/2023

Being a good boy must be hungry work because, boy oh boy, do dogs love to eat. In fact, a lot of dogs will chomp on any food they can find. That’s why it’s up to us pet lovers to make sure our pooches are snacking safely by knowing what our dogs can and can’t eat.

Here to help make sure we’re all clued-up on the dog food facts are the veterinary nurses at our dedicated Vet Advice Line. We served them our questions around what dogs can and can’t eat and, as always, they happily served up their expertise.

So, if you’re wondering “Can my dog eat eggs?” or want to know if strawberries are safe for dogs to eat, it’s time to tuck into the answers below:

What can my dog eat?

The short answer to this question is dog food. To ensure your pooch thrives, it's important to provide them with a good quality dog food that is appropriate for their life stage.

A dog’s diet has to be very well balanced, ensuring they have the correct vitamins and minerals. It’s for this reason that it can be so hard to keep dogs healthy on a home-cooked diet of human food.

Feeding your dog the right amount of food each day is also important - but the ideal amount that your pooch needs to be scoffing can vary by their weight, lifestyle, age, and more. Find out more in our handy How much should I feed my dog? guide.

Can my dog eat...

  • Canned pumpkin for dogs? Yes, there are lots of dog-safe pumpkin products on the market. In fact, it can help to settle your dog's diarrhea.

What can’t my dog eat?

When we’re eating a tasty treat and see those big puppy dog eyes, it can be hard not to share our food. And, as long as it’s only now and again, it’s fine to feed them human food that is safe for dogs.

With a world full of food to choose from (and many a dog food container to choose from), the easiest way to know what your dog can eat is to first learn the foods dogs can’t eat. So, to keep your pooch safe, we’ve provided a list of the most popular foods you should definitely avoid giving to your dog:

  • Chocolate and cocoa powder: Even just a small amount of chocolate or cocoa powder can make your dog very sick - consuming it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and in larger volumes, seizures and even death. The theobromine in chocolate is what causes this. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate are the worst culprits and are highly toxic to dogs, as they contain the most theobromine. If you suspect your dog has had any amount of any type of chocolate, contact your vet as soon as possible.
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Caffeine
  • Raisins, grapes, and sultanas
  • Rhubarb leaves
  • Garlic and onions: Any member of the onion family can cause your pooch to become poorly.
  • Avocados: The skin and leaves contain a toxin called Persin. However, the most dangerous part of an avocado is the pit: it is a choking hazard, has potential to cause serious intestinal blockages and also contains the highest levels of Persin toxin. 
  • Xylitol: Avoid anything that contains xylitol, such as sugar-free chewing gum.
  • Blue cheese
  • Cooked bones: They can splinter easily and cause perforations in the stomach and gut.
  • Mushrooms: Many are safe, but they are often indistinguishable from their toxic counterparts so they are best avoided. 
  • Moldy foods: Particularly dairy, bread and nuts contain a toxin that can lead to muscle tremors, seizures and even death. Avoid access to the bin or composters to reduce this risk.

It’s important to note that this list of harmful foods for dogs is not exhaustive and so if you’re ever unsure about a snack, seek expert advice before providing it to your pooch.

For TrustedHousesitters members, you can do this anytime while on a sit by calling our dedicated Vet Advice Line — and it won't cost you a penny. Available 24/7, anytime you need it, simply dial the number on your dashboard to get help and advice from our team of dedicated veterinary nurses.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lily

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lily qualified from Liverpool University in 2011 and spent 5 years as a veterinarian working in mixed animal practice. As Lily’s passion for exotics and exploring more complicated small animal medical cases developed, she stepped into small animal-only practice. By 2018 Lily was leading a busy branch of a large hospital practice with a fantastic team, enjoying working on both surgical and medical cases. Since falling poorly in 2021 Lily has found a new passion in medical writing. Sharing medical knowledge and writing for the public is a particular passion. 

Is your pup suffering from allergies?

If you've gone through the list of what your pup can and can't eat but they're still displaying symptoms of allergies, such as hives, swollen puffy eyes or difficulty breathing, they might be intolerant to the dinner you're serving up. Check out this list of the best hypoallergenic dog foods to help settle your pooch and help them enjoy a delicious meal.

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