Do You Consistently Feed Your Dogs and Cats From Your Plate?

Before commercial pet food entered the market, dogs and cats lived on scraps left over after dinner. This trend regained popularity after the 2007 contaminated pet food scandal, in which hundreds of dogs and cats died from eating contaminated food. Today, more and more pet owners are home cooking the foods their pets eat so they know exactly what goes into them.
While this is certainly an acceptable way to feed your pet, the reality is some human foods aren’t good for a cat or dog to eat. Some foods can even be toxic to animals. So, before you start scraping your leftovers into your pet’s dish, you should have a solid foundation on what your pet’s dietary needs are and which foods are safe and more importantly, unsafe, for your pet to eat.
Everything You Should Know About Feeding Human Food to Dogs and Cats

20 Human Foods You Can Feed Your Cat or Dog

There are some human foods that are safe for both dogs and cats to eat and these include:
  • Salmon
  • Bread
  • Eggs
  • Spinach
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Green beans
  • Broccoli
  • Yogurt
  • Peanut butter
  • Cottage cheese
  • Carrots
  • Cantaloupe
  • Oatmeal
  • Peas
  • Bananas
  • Cheese, especially hard cheeses like Gouda, Cheddar, and Swiss
  • Pumpkin
  • Blueberries
  • Apples

Human Foods You Should Never Feed Your Cat or Dog

Just as there are safe human foods for cats and dogs, there are also foods that you should never feed your pet. These foods include:
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Soft drinks
  • Avocados
  • Foods containing Xylitol
  • Chewing gum
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Yeast dough
  • High sodium foods, including bacon
If you want to start feeding your pet a healthy diet composed of foods already in your refrigerator or pantry, then here are some tips to help you make a successful transition from commercial pet food.

#1: Make the Change Gradually

A dog or cat’s digestive system doesn’t do well with sudden food changes and this is especially the case when changing from commercial pet food to human foods. Start the transition by adding a little bit of bland, unseasoned chicken, meat, or vegetables in with your pet’s kibble. Gradually add a little more people food and a little less kibble each day.

#2: Diversify Your Pet’s Diet

Don’t feed your pet one kind of food, such as only meat or chicken. Pets like diversity too, so be sure you incorporate grains and vegetables into their diet so they can enjoy the benefits of a well-rounded, nutritionally rich diet.

#3: Keep Fat in Check

It’s true that animals need fat to be healthy and strong, but too much fat is never a good thing and it can even cause your pet to experience stomach upset. Keep things like fatty meats, chicken skin, butter, and other high-fat foods out of your pet’s diet and he’ll be healthier for it.

#4: If You Won’t Eat It, Don’t Feed It to Your Pet

If you have things left over on your plate after a meal that you won’t eat, like fat, gristle, or skin, don’t feed them to your pet. They’re just as bad for him as they are for you.