With summer break starting and summer officially here, it’s time to discuss what foods are safe to give to your furry friends, and which foods you should avoid giving them to eat.
Foods that are safe:
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, huckleberries, raspberries, strawberries) – the antioxidants in these foods help keep your pet’s digestion running smoothly. Additionally, pets tend to enjoy both fresh and frozen berries.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken – in small portions, and as long as it’s fully cooked, it’s safe for consumption.
- Ice Cream (or yogurt) – With the increasing popularity of “doggy bowls,” we just want to remind you to limit their consumption of dairy. Pets lack the enzyme that breaks down lactose, which could lead to digestive problems.
- Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon) – Just remember to remove the seeds and your pet will have a tasty summer treat.
- Potatoes – as long as consumption is kept in moderation, potatoes add potassium to your pet’s diet.
- Salmon – a fully cooked salmon is a welcome addition to their dinner bowl and provides amino acids and healthy fats.
Foods that are unsafe:
- Any raw or undercooked meat or poultry – these foods are more likely to give your pet bacteria such as E. Coli or Salmonella.
- Citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime) – in the summer, people tend to eat a lot more citrus fruit. But giving any of these to your pet can problem with their central nervous system.
- Coconut – Fresh coconuts are abundant in oils that cause an upset stomach for your pet.
- Corn – on or off the cob, corn causes backup in pets’ gastrointestinal and digestive systems.
- Grapes and Raisins – these fruits cause kidney failure in pets, although it is currently unknown why.
- Nuts – Macadamia nuts are known to cause weakness and vomiting and are therefore the most dangerous for your pets, but we recommend avoiding nuts in general.
- Salt – a large intake of salt leads to excessive thirst and urination so avoid giving them a bit of your pretzel or popcorn.
We hope this article helped give you some information about keeping your pet safe and your summer fun. Also, just because some foods are considered safe for animals doesn’t mean your specific pet will enjoy every item on the safe foods list.