Can Your Dog Eat Eggs…And Other Questionable Foods?

Many people want to know if they can feed their dog eggs. We’ll take a look at 15 foods and answer whether dogs can eat them or not: eggs, sweet potatoes, chocolate, green beans, yogurt, avocados, alcohol, pumpkins, apples, grapes, oatmeal, rice, peanut butter, and soda pop. 1. Eggs According to the Dogs Naturally Magazine website, “Eggs are not only a cheap and safe source of raw food for your dog, they are one of the most complete and nutritious meals you can choose!” Eggs are a great source of protein and other vitamins and minerals. Just use the whole egg and be sure to cook it. 2. Sweet Potatoes The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) ranked the sweet potato as the number one vegetable for nutrition…for people. They’re also great for dogs and provide them a variety of health benefits. These taters are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. 3. Chocolate Chocolate can lead to illness or even death in dogs. The size of your dog and how much of the sweet he ate matters. Even a chocolate chip cookie can be toxic to a little pup. If you think your dog ate some chocolate, call your vet right away. Chances are, he’ll need to vomit the chocolate out of his system. 4. Green Beans If you find your pooch under the table munching on the green beans your child “accidentally” dropped on the floor, give him a pat on the head. (Your dog, not your child.) Green beans are not only full of vitamins and minerals, they’re a good diet food for dogs who tend to put on the lbs. You can even try feeding him this veggie frozen. 5. Yogurt Yes to yogurt and all of its calcium and protein. Stay away from the sugary varieties with sweeteners and opt for plain yogurt with live cultures or live active bacteria (same thing). These are probiotics and good for your dog’s digestive tract. Dog treats with yogurt can also be good. Just read the label. 6. Avocados This super food contains a chemical compound called persin. Possibly beneficial to women, persin could upset the stomachs of some dogs, especially in large quantities. The bigger fear, though, according to the ASPCA, is the dog might swallow the avocado’s pit. If that happens, you and your dog are going for a quick run to the vet. 7. Alcohol It may be fun for you to give your dog a drink, but it could kill her. Alcohol works the same way in dogs as it does in humans, except dogs’ kidneys were not meant to process beer, etc. Plus, dogs are a lot smaller than humans so it takes a lot less alcohol to hurt your dog. 8. Pumpkin This Halloween favorite is also a favorite among pups. The oils in pumpkin seeds could benefit your dog’s urinary tract while the fiber in the fruit will help his digestion and elimination. (That means more exercise for you. Get it?) Dogs should not eat the seeds or the raw innards of the fruit. Better to serve cooked or canned pumpkin to your pooch. 9. Apples It doesn’t matter what color, apples are a healthy treat for dogs. They are chock full of nutrients and crunch. Apples also help clean residue off of teeth, and this can help your dog to have better breath. It’s important to limit how many seeds and stems your dog eats because the accumulation over time can be harmful. Serve apples as slices or sauce. 10. Grapes Grapes are a toxic no-no for dogs. Even small amounts can kill a dog. The danger includes raisins, too. The exact harmful substance within the fruit is still unknown, but they’ve been proven to cause kidney damage and that can lead to kidney failure. It seems no dogs are immune. 11. Oatmeal Oats have protein, minerals and soluble fiber which can be extra beneficial to older dogs struggling with constipation. Oatmeal, on the other hand, can be used to complement, not replace, your dog’s regular meals. This advice comes from the Can I Give My Dog website. Oatmeal is also a good grain source for dogs who can’t eat wheat. 12. Rice Rice is good for dogs, especially if it’s rice you would eat (as opposed to feed-grade rice). Brown or wild rice is better for both of you as they are whole grains providing lots of minerals and fiber. All that being said, some dogs are allergic to rice. If your pup has a reaction after eating which can include itchy skin, hair loss or ear infections, stop feeding it to her. (Obviously.) 13. Peanut Butter ? This sparks a debate. Some say it’s a good treat because it’s got protein, vitamins and healthy fats that are good for the heart. Others look at the sweetener, xylitol, that’s added to some brands. Xylitol can lead to liver failure. Other folks claim that natural-occurring substances in peanut butter could lead to cancer. It seems your safest course is to read the label to avoid xylitol and to ask your vet about the other risk. 14. Soda Pop Sugary drinks like soda pop can have the same effect on canines as they do on humans. The high sugar-content can ultimately lead to added weight or even diabetes. It can also ruin your dog’s teeth. The caffeine is also not good. In larger doses (or in smaller dogs) caffeine can be fatal. That does not mean it’s okay to feed your big dog “just a little.”