There are many dog owners today who still have doubts about what a dog should eat. One of the reasons for this confusion is that most owners tend to get feeding tips for dogs by word of mouth from other owners. And, it doesn’t necessarily have to be true.

Also, it is extremely important to feed the right dog food to your dogs, since their digestive health has a direct impact on their immunity. Did you know that a dog’s gut hosts a significant number of immune cells? This is why a dog’s diet matters the most when it comes to keeping them in excellent health. 

If you are someone who wants to know what kind of food can dogs eat, this blog is for you. You learn about the exact nutrition your dog needs to make them thrive in the best possible way. 

List of Best Foods For all Dog Breeds

1) Carrots

Carrots are one of the best foods for dogs, since this vegetable supplies tons of essential vitamins and minerals to them. Some of them include Vitamin A, Potassium, Fibre, etc., which are incredibly beneficial for your dog’s overall health. Carrots are also good for your dog’s dental health, due to their crunchy texture, and they help remove plaque and Tartar between the dog’s teeth. You can also feed this vegetable as a training treat for dogs, since it excludes the calorie count associated with the standard dog treats.

Carrots are also good snacks for teething puppies, since they are good for relieving pain.

How to Serve: Carrots can be served to the dogs in raw, steamed or boiled form, without any seasoning. Cut it into small pieces to prevent the risk of choking in dogs.

2) Apples

Apples are also excellent foods for your dogs. They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, Carbohydrates, etc, which helps in keeping a healthy weight in dogs, apart from boosting their digestive health. They also act as a low-calorie treat that you can feed your dogs during their training sessions. Apples are also good for the oral health of your dogs, since they clean their teeth and also eliminate bad breath.

How to Serve: While feeding apples to dogs, always remove the core and seeds. This is to prevent any choking hazard. Also, cut the apple into small pieces to make it easily chewable for the dogs.

3) Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a great food for dogs, since it is loaded with vitamins, fibres and minerals. It helps the dogs have relief from constipation and diarrhoea, as it is rich in natural fibres. They are particularly rich in Vitamin A, which plays an important role in boosting eye vision. Pumpkin also consists of potassium that keeps up a healthy metabolism in the dogs, and also helps in regulating blood pressure. Above all, Pumpkin acts as a natural dewormer for dogs since it consists of the amino acid cucurbitacin that eliminates parasites from the dog’s digestive tract.

How to Serve: Feed plain pumpkin to dogs or cook fresh pumpkin without spices, and then feed. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, since it is loaded with sugar and spices.

4) Blueberries

Blueberries are safe foods for dogs to eat, since they have tons of nutritional benefits for them. Firstly, it is rich in antioxidants that strengthen your dog’s immunity to fight infection and diseases. Secondly, they are low in calories and high in fibre, for keeping excellent digestive health and also to maintain ideal body weight. The essential vitamins and minerals in the blueberry also support excellent urinary health in dogs.

How to Serve: Blueberries can be fed to dogs, either in fresh or frozen form. You can also add some blueberries to your dog’s main diet.

5) Green Beans

Green Beans are a healthy and safe food for dogs as they are loaded with important vitamins and minerals. It includes Vitamin B6, C, K and A, Iron, etc, which play a vital role in keeping excellent health in the dogs. Iron facilitates the healthy production of red blood cells and helps in the absorption of calcium from your dog’s diet. Also, a nutrient like Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which boosts your dog’s immunity to protect them from many illnesses.

How to Serve: You can feed Green Beans to your dogs in raw, steamed or boiled form, while avoiding salt, butter or any seasonings. Green beans can be mixed in the dog foods or as snacks as well. 

6) Cooked Chicken

One of the best and nutritious foods for dogs, cooked chicken, promises high protein content and several essential nutrients, Vitamin B6, B3 and Zinc. The fact that it is rich in protein and low in fat, helps in building lean and strong muscles in the dogs. Cooked chicken is gentle on your dog’s stomach, helping them to digest and absorb the nutrients effectively. It also consists of essential fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a shiny coat in the dogs.

How to Serve: Feed the cooked chicken to your dogs by removing the bones from it, since it can cause a choking hazard in the dogs. 

7) Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter is another fantastic food for your dog. They consist of around 25% protein content and help in building strong muscles in the dogs. They also provide vital amino acids that support good immunity and repair body tissues in dogs. Peanut Butter is also particularly rich in natural fibres that regulate your dog’s digestive tract and ensure higher nutrient absorption. They also consist of Vitamin E, which keeps strong bones and joints in the dogs and prevents the problem of arthritis in them. 

How to Serve: The best way to serve Peanut Butter to dogs is by stuffing some of it in a Kong Toy. Avoid feeding too much to prevent weight gain in dogs.

8) Plain Yoghurt

Plain Yoghurt is a fantastic option for your dogs, since it consists of a good amount of calcium, zinc, protein and other nutrients. Most importantly, they are rich in prebiotics, which contain beneficial microbes that support excellent digestive health in dogs. The good bacteria in the plain yoghurt boost intestinal health and play a vital role in improving the dog’s immunity. Essential minerals like calcium and zinc in the yoghurt help in building strong bones and joints in the dogs, thereby keeping them active. 

How to Serve: For feeding dogs, always select an unsweetened plain yoghurt with no artificial sweeteners.

9) Sweet Potatoes

Not many dog owners know this, but sweet potatoes are also good food for dogs. They are excellent for the digestive health of the dogs, thanks to their high fibre content. They are also rich in  Vitamin A, which is essential for your dog’s vision, bone growth and reproductive health. The good fibre content of the sweet potatoes alleviates problems like constipation and diarrhoea.  Sweet potatoes are also rich in antioxidants, which strengthen the defence mechanism of dogs, keeping infections and illnesses at bay.

How to Serve: Peel and boil the sweet potato till it becomes soft. Mash them and serve small pieces of it to the dogs. 

10) Salmon

When it comes to feeding fish to dogs, nothing beats Salmon in offering all the essential nutrients. They are packed with protein for building strong and lean muscles in the dogs. They are also low in fat for maintaining a healthy body weight in dogs. Mainly, the smell and texture of Salmon fish are so appealing that it suits even the picky eaters. Also, they are rich in essential fatty acids that keep a healthy skin and coat in the dogs. Salmon fish also offers anti-inflammatory effects to the dogs, reducing pain in their bones and joints.

How to Serve: Steam the salmon fully and then remove all the bones before you feed the dogs. 

11) Cucumbers

Another great vegetable for dogs is a Cucumber. They are considered a healthy, low-calorie treat that your dogs will cherish. Firstly, cucumber consists of 96% water content, which helps in keeping your dog well-hydrated. They are also rich in Vitamin K, which strengthens your bones and joints, keeping them active. They are also low in calories, which helps keep an ideal body weight in the dogs.

How to Serve: Wash the cucumber and slice it into thin pieces or rounds. Serve them raw to the dogs.

12) Cheese

Cheese is another great food option for dogs, since it is full of nutrients. Apart from good protein and fat content, it is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B-12, Vitamin K-2, Vitamin A, Calcium, Zinc, Phosphorus, etc. They are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that encourage good skin and coat health in the dogs. You can also use cheese as a reward while training your dog. 

How to Serve: Cut the cheese into small cubes before feeding it to your dogs. Ensure that your dog is not lactose intolerant. Also, avoid overfeeding to avoid digestive upset in dogs. 

13) Eggs

One of the best foods for dogs, eggs are packed with vital nutrients. Firstly, they are loaded with high-quality protein for strengthening muscles in the dogs. Secondly, they are rich in amino acids, which are crucial for healthy skin in dogs. Eggs are also gentle on the dog’s stomach, making them ideal for sensitive dogs recovering from illness. It also provides the dogs with sustained energy for meeting the energy needs of highly active dogs.

How to Serve: Never feed raw eggs to the dogs. Boil the eggs thoroughly without oil and butter, and then feed them to the dogs.

14) Watermelon

Watermelon is not just a nutritious food for dogs, but also a refreshing treat for them in the summer. It consists of a 92% to 96% water content, which keeps the dogs well-hydrated. Watermelon is rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals in the dog’s body, reducing the ageing effects in them. It is also rich in fibres for boosting digestive health and reducing the risk of constipation 

How to Serve: Before feeding watermelon to the dogs, remove all the seeds and cut the fruit into small pieces. It would be best if the watermelon is served chilled, acting as a great summer treat for the dogs. 

15)  Oatmeal

Oatmeal can also be an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. It is rich in fibre and vitamins, and also consists of minerals like iron, zinc and B vitamins that boost your pet’s skin health. The high fibre content of the oatmeal keeps an ideal body weight in the dogs and supports excellent digestive health. The essential vitamins and minerals of the oatmeal encourage good urinary health in the dogs.

How to Serve: Cook the oatmeal using water, without adding milk, sugar or water. Let it cool and then serve it to your dogs. 

All in All,

You have seen 15 foods that are completely safe for the dogs to eat. These foods are not just safe, but loaded with high-quality nutrients to maintain excellent general wellness in the dogs. But remember that they should be fed in adequate quantities, and not in excess, to prevent the problem of obesity.