It’s no secret that many dogs LOVE food.

And it seems like they love the foods they shouldn’t even more than the ones they should.

That often makes it super hard to ignore those soulful puppy eyes gazing pleadingly at you while you are trying to enjoy a meal.

So, can you feed your pup treats off your own plate?

Let’s answer that question now.

Can I Feed My Dog Treats Off My Plate?

Doggos can be pretty persuasive with their innocent eyes and ever present persistence, but should you give in and feed your dog treats off your plate?

Feeding dogs treats off your plate can be risky, so it’s generally not recommended. There are a number of reasons for this. The main ones are:

Food Safety

Some human foods are not suitable for your pup’s digestive system and some can even be harmful to them. You probably already know that chocolate is a big no-no, but there are also many other foods that could unintentionally harm your dog.

Grapes, raisins, onions and foods that contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol are just a small selection of the foods that can be potentially toxic to dogs. So, feeding your pup treats from your plate might accidentally expose them to these dangerous foods.

Nutritional Needs

Being a completely different species to us, it stands to reason that dogs have completely different nutritional requirements to humans. Some human foods are safe for dogs to consume in moderate amounts. But, they should not necessarily form a large part of their diet or be relied upon as a primary source of nutrition.

It is much better for your pup to consume foods that are specifically designed to meet their unique dietary needs (hint: Real Dog Food is an excellent choice in that department!)

Learn Bad Habits

Feeding your dog from the dinner table can encourage some pretty cheeky habits. So, if you do it once, expect your pup to try their luck again and again. In the long term, it can encourage your dog to beg and may reinforce other undesirable behaviour.

It could also encourage food aggression if your dog becomes protective over the treats it scores from its favourite human and make them more persistent in trying to get food from you in the future.

Can I Give My Dog Treats?

Alright, so we know it’s not advised to give our pups human dinner treats. But, what about other dog treats? Can we still do that?

Of course! But, it is best to offer them a separate dog-friendly treat away from the dinner table. Dog-friendly means that it is safe and appropriate for their diet. So, not only excluding dangerous “human” ingredients, but treats that contain nutrients and proteins that are beneficial to their diet.

Giving dog specific treats can also be a great way to encourage good behaviour and reward your pup for training hard or learning well.

Treats To Avoid

Here is a list of foods that can be dangerous for your dog to consume, so avoid giving them:

• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and garlic
• Foods that contain artificial sweeteners like Xylitol
• Avocado
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Cooked bones like chicken, turkey or other small animals
• High fat foods like fatty meat or bacon
• Dairy products (many dogs are lactose intolerant)
• Nuts
• Salty foods
• Fruit pits and seeds
• Sugary foods
• Raw eggs
• Human medications
• Spices like nutmeg

Good Dog Treats

So, now we know the foods to avoid, what are the foods that you can give your pup to chow down on as a treat? Just like humans, dog treats should only be consumed in moderation and are not a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet.

But everyone likes a little treat sometimes, so you could try some of these:

• Specially formulated dog treats
• Fresh fruits (without the seeds)
• Vegetables
• Cooked lean meat
• Plain cooked eggs
• Cheese (in moderation, like we said earlier, many dogs cannot tolerate lactose well)
• Natural peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners)
• Freeze dried or dehydrated meats

Do Dogs Need Treats?

The answer to this question is no. Dogs don’t actually NEED treats. However, we as owners tend to like to give them. The truth is, if your dog enjoys a healthy, balanced diet of high quality dog food, then that is all they need.

And, if their food tastes great, it might even be like a treat in itself. Well, that’s what some of our Real Dog Food customers have mentioned. Check out what they have to say…

Jackie L says: Our dog is certainly enjoying them - in fact when I had the bag delivered and it was sitting on the kitchen bench, his nose went into overdrive trying to source the smell that was obviously something yummy!

Brenda M says: We trialled this a couple of weeks ago and both of our dogs absolutely love the food. We are slowly transitioning them onto it, and they both pick out the Real Dog Food and eat that first!

Adele T says: My dog is OBSESSED with this food and I often use it as treats on our walks too to keep his mind active. He used to be a bit off biscuits but since making the switch to this he loves breakfast time.

So, if you are looking for a tasty food that is as good as a treat for your doggo, choose Real Dog Food. Shop our range of foods here and find our dog treats here.