7 Human Foods That Are Actually Good for Your Dog

It’s the holiday season, which means there will be plenty of treats filling your holiday home. And that may go double for the dog.

Throughout the season, pups will likely be treated to their own bones and cookies, but will also likely be scooping up dropped food, scraps, and bits of dinner handed to them under the table by a well-meaning child or two. And that’s all well and good, but there are a few food items dogs should never be fed. Those include chocolates, grapes, onions, and garlic, all of which are known to cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs.

But, what about what they can eat instead? Here are seven human food items that your pet can enjoy this holiday season (or any time of year) with you.

According to the American Kennel Club, blueberries not only make a great snack for you, but they are a antioxident-rich snack for your pet as well. “Blueberries are also filled with antioxidants and have been shown to improve the health of animals, as well as humans,” the AKC wrote. “Antioxidants, like those in blueberries, help fight free radicals, which are responsible for cellular and molecular damage in dogs and humans. As an added bonus, studies show that adding antioxidants to a dog’s diet reduces the effects of brain aging, which is great if you have a senior dog.”

As I Heart Dogs reported, carrots are a tasty and fun treat for dogs. They are also high in fiber and vitamin A and are very low in calories. Beyond being good for their belly, carrots can also be good for a dog’s teeth as the chewy, crunchy vegetable can help clean teeth at the same time.

An apple a day can keep both the doctor and the vet away, according to CesarsWay.com. The fruit comes packed with fiber, vitamins A and C, omega-3, omega-6, antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols. However, Dr. Ryan wrote, “But make sure your dog doesn’t eat the apple seeds. They are toxic!”

Green beans will surely make an appearance on your holiday table. And, as it turns out you can share them with Fido too. According to I Heart Dogs, “Green beans are highly recommended by veterinarians for owners looking to help their dogs lose weight.” That’s because the veggie is high in fiber but low in calories.

If you’re making a pumpkin pie this year make sure to save a spoonful for your pooch. Canned, fresh, or cooked pumpkin, I Heart Dogs wrote, has no added sugars and is an excellent treat for any dog with a sensitive stomach. And it’s got a ton of vitamin A and fiber to boot.

Like Popeye, spinach is good for doggies too. According to Rover.com, all that iron and vitamin K can do wonders for a lethargic pet and can even boost your dog’s immune system as well.

If you really want to treat your dog to something special forget the bones and go for fish instead. According to the AKC, fish comes with all the good fats and amino acids a dog needs. Salmon and sardines are especially good for your pet, the AKC explained, because both come with plenty of vitamins and protein. Just make sure to pick out all the bones and never serve your pet uncooked meats.