10 Healthy Snacks To Share With Your Dog

When we’re at home with our dogs or out with family and friends, our dogs are always taking an interest in what we’re eating regardless of where they are.  Some dogs are trained and more polite than others and keep their begging discreet, but others will stare intensely, give a sigh, and drool may even come into play.  Sharing healthy foods with your dog is a great way to bond and shows them a little extra love.
 
Here are 10 healthy snacks to share with your dog:
 
Apples:  Apples are a good snack for fresh breath and help keep teeth clean.  They are high in Vitamin A and C and are an excellent source of antioxidants.  Some dogs may prefer to eat the apples without the skin.
 
Eggs:  Raw, poached, scrambled or hard boiled, eggs have many health benefits.  They provide extra protein, a full amino acid profile with multiple vitamins – including Vitamin A, B, D, K and iron.  Most dogs won’t turn down a tasty egg, day or night!
 
Cheese:  This may be the most common snacks we reach for, especially if we’re trying to hide a medication in pill form.  Cheese provides calcium and Vitamin B12 for nervous system function, it smells and tastes good too.
 
Carrots & Sweet Potato:  Lightly steamed carrots or sweet potato can provide Vitamin A, B and cartenoids.  A good snack for active breeds, as it provides extra carbohydrates as well.  Raw carrots are healthy to feed and help to keep teeth clean, but some dogs won’t be interested unless they’re slightly cooked.

Lean Meats & Fish:  Having a little bag of cooked meat or dried fish in your pocket isn’t the most appealing, but it sure can move mountains when you’re out training your dog.  Cooked chicken, beef, or pork is a good treat, but try to stay away from processed meats as they’re high in sodium and preservatives.  Cooked fish is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids and protein, just watch for any small bones.
 
Peanut Butter:  The sticky texture of peanut butter makes it a little more difficult to eat and quite often get stuck to the roof of dogs mouths, but they love it none the less.  It provides protein and potassium.  Be sure the kind you choose for your dog is natural and does not contain the sweetner xylitol.  Even a small amount fed to dogs can cause a quick drop in blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and can result in the dog appearing to be lethargic and seizures could result.
 
Coconut Oil:  Is an excellent addition to your dog’s diet.  It has antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties and is a medium chain triglyceride, which makes it easily digestible.  Coconut oil can help with coat and skin condition, digestion, and it supports the immune system.  The recommended amount to serve is 1 tsp for small dogs and 1 Tbsp for larger breeds.
 
Yogurt:  Plain yogurt is ideal for dogs, as it supplies protein, calcium and probiotics which will help with digestion.  Try to avoid yogurt containing added sugars and artificial ingredients.
 
Oatmeal:  Oats are a good source of soluble fibre and are often considered a grain, but have a slightly different affect when fed to dogs.  Oats are a good alternative for dog’s who are allergic to wheat, and can be used in a few different applications. Oats can be cooked and made into oatmeal, or can be ground down into flour for baking dog biscuits.  Click here for our homemade dog biscuit recipe.
 
When selecting a snack to share with your dog, please keep in mind that everything should be fed in moderation and in its natural form.  Try to stay away from processed foods and snacks that contain preservatives or artificial ingredients.  Snacks should also be low in carbohydrates and preferably grain free.
 
Have fun snacking with your dog - we’re sure they’ll enjoy it too!