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10 Healthy Human Snacks Your Dog Will Love

July 24, 2015
Knowing what snacks to give your furry friend can sometimes be a matter of life and death. By: Michelle Klug (With additional reporting by Teresa Sabga)
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Pamper Your Pup

Photo: Terry Vine/Getty Images

Canines love to eat anything and everything, but there are poisonous foods that are dangerous for dog consumption such as grapes, onions, garlic, chocolate, avocados, alcohol, peaches, meat scraps, and caffeine. However, you can reward your dogs with safe and healthy human snacks found in your kitchen. Trust us, they'll adore these 10 tasty chews.

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Carrots

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
Crunchy and slightly sweet, your dogs will love gnawing on raw carrots to help clean their pearly whites. This perfect on-the-go snack can also be cooked, puréed, and mashed into daily meal supplements to boost their immune systems.

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Peanut Butter

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Peanut butter is a popular snack to give to pups, but be sure to stick to natural or homemade peanut butter. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics found that xylitol, a sugar substitute found in many store-bought nut butters, is toxic when ingested by dogs. Spread a dollop of raw, unsalted peanut butter on a milk bone, or just let your furry friend lick the spoon after making a PB&J sandwich.

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Blueberries

Photo: Oxmoor House
Play a game with your pup: Snack on berries and occasionally throw a few for your best friend to catch in the air! Just be sure to wash thoroughly and throw away any old or moldy produce. Raspberries and blackberries are dog-friendly treats too, but don't feed them too much at once.

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Scrambled Eggs

Photo: Manfred Koh/Time Inc. Digital Studio

Your dog will adore scrambled eggs without added butter, salt, or pepper. It’s rumored that cooked eggs can even help make their coats shiny. Play it safe by purchasing eggs from a local farmer raising organic, free-range chicken.

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Green Beans

Photo: Randy Mayor

Switch up snacktime by substituting biscuits for raw green beans straight out of the fridge. Grinding this fresh alternative and adding it to dog food is also a healthy way to keep your pet feeling full longer, while maintaining a balanced weight. Avoid store-bought cans with salt, because they're packed with sodium. Go all-natural, local, and green!

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Sweet Potatoes

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
Dehydrated sweet potatoes make for easy, healthy, and inexpensive snacks in place of store-bought dog treats. Remove the skin, cook, and offer in moderation. The dietary fiber in sweet potatoes can help improve your furry friend's digestion.

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Apples

A wedge every other day will keep the vet away! Sweet and crispy, your pet will love the juiciness of an apple. Be sure to remove all seeds and the core. 

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Air-Popped Popcorn

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

No salt or butter here! Air pop some kernels, settle on the sofa, and share a movie night with your pooch. Cooking Light staff favorites include "Beethoven," "101 Dalmations," "Lady and The Tramp," "Up!" and "Air Bud."

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Rice

Queasy pup? Care for your dog's upset stomach with a bowl of plain white rice, which is easily disgestible. Oatmeal is an another option that can help treat queasiness and regulate bowel movements.

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