What Dogs Can and Cannot Eat

[LolaLee]

I was wondering what exactly is ok for my dog to eat, and what is not ok. He is a terrier mix and about 8 months old. He loves bananas, tomatoes, chicken, and ice. I was told ice cubes are not good for dogs, but no one really can tell me why. I am not sure if he is still teething, but he sometimes acts as though he has to chew on something, our fingers, anything. He sort of wines a little as he does this. Ice seems to calm him down, and he is fine after he eats it.
Could you please tell me what he can and cannot have? Thank you for your time.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Vet's answered continued:

Some homemade diets are very good for pets and are safer than commercial foods.  But the recipe must be given by a vet and made for a specifically for a patient.  

Many cancer diet recipes, and allergic diet recipes are better than any commercial diet out there.  Commercial diets are improving though.  


Soon I will a post a list of best commercial foods.  Please watch for it!

[LolaLee]

Thank you to all of you. I pretty much knew about these foods, I was just wondering about some for a treat every great now and then. I feed him science diet, and he loves it. However, I was still wondering about the tomatoes, bananas, chicken (every GREAT now and again and very little), and ice. Those are his favorites.

[redblondie]

I was wondering if you could explain why raisins and grapes are so bad for dogs.   I only just heard about grapes being deadly to dogs about 2 years ago.  I've had dogs my whole life and have a 13 year old American Eskimo now. Prior to hearing anything ever about grapes my dog and I would go to the produce market and share a 1/2 a bag of seedless red grapes every week !!!!   Thank GOD nothing ever happened to her.  I was really upset to hear this.

Thank you for you time and information.

[peekawho]

I rarely recommend anyone here feed homemade diets, unless I know that person very well, and are sure they understand the importance of a well balanced diet, and how to prepare them.
Since we know very little, often nothing, about anyone who posts here, I will almost never give anyone info about homemade diets for dogs, or for raw feeding.

That's what was behind my thinking on the issue.  I'm always concerned that someone will just feed their dogs whatever they eat, thinking "if its good for people, why do I need to buy dog food"?

And since most people diets are not that great...poor doggies!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Most of what peekawho had listed is correct.

Fatty foods should not be given in excess because they can cause pancreatitis.  Onions cause Heinz body anemia,  Yeast dough can expand in the stomach and cause a kind of bloat.

Xylitol, Macadamia Nuts, Coffee, Chocolate, Raisins grapes can be deadly.

Salt, garlic and alcohol are only bad in excess.

[peekawho]

The safest diet for dogs is regular, commercially available dog food.   I have 3 large breed dogs, and almost never give them any people food.  They don't "need" it, and people food often helps contribute to canine obesity, if overdone.

This is from the ASPCA website:

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

Alcoholic beverages
Avocado
Chocolate (all forms)
Coffee (all forms)
Fatty foods
Macadamia nuts
Moldy or spoiled foods
Onions, onion powder
Raisins and grapes
Salt
Yeast dough
Garlic
Products sweetened with xylitol