According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, dogs and people share roughly 75% of the same genetic makeup, and we have similar nutritional needs. In order to provide a well-balanced diet for your pooch, all it requires is genuine concern for their health. Here is a list of foods your pooch should and should not eat.
CAN:
• Fruits: Watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, bananas
• Non-marinated, cooked white meat chicken or turkey, without the skin. Never give your dog chicken or fish bone as they can cause splinters inside your dog’s digestive system.
• Apples – Make sure to remove the seeds!
• Yam
• Veggies: Baby carrots, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, celery
• Brown rice
• Raw peanuts and cashews
• Unsalted peanut butter
• Cooked oatmeal: A great source of fiber, it is especially beneficial for senior dogs that have trouble chewing.
Photo by The Travelling Bum 
Photo by North Charleston
CAN’T:
• Avocado – Contains persin, a fungicidal toxin harmless to humans but dangerous to dogs resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
• Baby food – It’s called BABY food for a reason! Many contain onion or onion powder which can be harmful to dogs.
• Cat food – Too high in protein and fat. As cute as chubby dogs can be, they will suffer in the long run.
• Caffeine – Such as chocolate, coffee and tea can be toxic to the heart and nervous system. In detail it will cause extreme panting, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Fat trimmings – Although you don’t want to “waste” food, fat trimmings cause inflammation of the pancreas.
• Fish – Salmon is fine, but other fishes are known to cause vitamin B deficiency followed by loss of appetite, seizures and in extreme cases, death.
• Lake and river water – Contain microscopic protozoan organisms and pesticides which affect the immune system and can cause fever, loss of appetite and dehydration. Be careful when taking your dog for a hike and always provide fresh, filtered water for your pup.
• Corn – High in starch, a cheap filler unhealthy for both humans and dogs.
• Grapes – Including raisins, can cause liver damage and kidney failure.
• Dairy products – Causes gas, discomfort and diarrhea due to improper digestion.
• The 3 P’s! Persimmons, peaches, plums: Causes inflammation of the small intestine.
• Onions and garlic – Causes anemia (decrease in the number of red blood cells)
• Salt and other seasoning – Electrolyte imbalance
• Yeast – Causes gas and ruptures the stomach and intestines
• Iron – Damages the digestive system lining
• Xylitol – A natural sweetener found in gums, candies and baked goods. VERY toxic to dogs causing liver failure.
• Macadamia nuts – We love ’em but your dog will result in swollen limbs, tremors and damaged muscle systems.
• The obvious: Alcohol which causes increased heart rate, fever and seizures.
Photo by Muffet
All in all, an ideal diet for your pooch would be 50% meat, 25% rice/pasta (I prefer brown, whole wheat or whole grain) and 25% veggie.
