Dogs can eat people food too! Below we list our top ten favorite simple and healthy snacks for dogs.

Peanut Butter for Energy

Peanut butter is packed full of protein, healthy fats and vitamins so it gives your dog nutrients and helps them keep going longer! Some dogs find the texture of peanut butter odd at first, but the creamy salty taste is usually very popular once they get used to it. You can spread peanut butter on a slice of apple or carrot, or put it on a bone or chew toy so they can work on licking it off. Just make sure you’re using the healthy kind of peanut butter that doesn’t have any added sugar, or sugar substitutes such as xylitol which are dangerous for dogs.

Cheese for a Protein Boost

As long as your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, cheese can be an easy and healthy snack with lots of protein and calcium. Cottage cheese is an especially good choice for dogs as it is very high in protein, low in fat and easy to digest.

Carrots for Healthy Teeth

Raw carrots aren’t just for horses – they’re a great healthy snack for your dog too! Chewing carrots is great for your dog’s teeth and helps them to stay sharp, as well as being especially good for overweight dogs as they are so low in calories.

Yogurt for Digestive Health

This one is quite specific as what you’re looking for is plain, unsweetened, live yogurt. The live cultures and probiotics are great for your dog’s digestive health, and as with cheese, adding extra dairy to your dog’s diet means a boost of protein and calcium.

Eggs for Extra Calories

Your pup can enjoy eggs cooked or raw. Raw eggs can be given to your dog whole (preferably outside!) including the shell as this contains a lot of great nutrients such as biotin and riboflavin. If you’re not sure about raw eggs then try a hard boiled egg, peeled with no seasoning. High in protein and a good calorie boost for a growing pup!

Green Beans for Veggo Dogs

Green beans are the perfect snack for a vegetarian dog that needs to lose weight. The stringy vegetable is very high in fibre which will help your dog to feel full, but doesn’t contain many calories so will aid weight loss.

Apples for Vitamins

Chuck a chopped apple into your dog’s bowl at snack time to give it a daily dose of vitamins A and C. No need to peel it as the skin is where much of the nutrient content is stored, but avoid seeds as much as you can as these contain small quantities of cyanide.

Fish for Good Fats

Cooked salmon or sardine is especially beneficial to your dog as they contain a heap of good fats and amino acids. Make sure any fish you feed your pet is fully cooked through and remove all bones before to ensure there’s no risk of choking.

Coconut for Immune Protection

Coconut contains a fatty acid called lauric which helps the immune system and can help in weight loss. You can feed your dog coconut flesh, coconut milk or coconut oil but make sure they don’t get their paws on a whole coconut as the furry outer shell can cause problems if swallowed. Coconut has also been shown to help with bad breath and skin conditions so this one’s an all-rounder!

Peanuts for More Protein

Peanuts are one of the only nuts that your dog can eat. Macadamias, walnuts and pecans are highly toxic to dogs, whilst almonds pose a choking risk due to their shape. Peanuts on the other hand are completely safe and are a good source of protein and healthy fats. Just make sure you feed your dog shelled, unsalted peanuts to keep this snack healthy.

Port Kennedy Vets offer a Wellness Programme to help you keep your dog in top condition and living a long, healthy and happy life. Call 08 6555 5149 or visit our contact page today to find out more.

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