Feeding & Nutrition

It is fair to say that many dogs do love to have an extra treat outside of meal times, and some vegetables and fruit make great alternatives. However, a dog’s digestive tract is very different from ours, and certain fruits and veggies can be unsuitable or even harmful for your dog. Asparagus had become a staple of healthy eating for humans, but while asparagus is a perfectly safe and healthy for us, can dogs eat asparagus?

Many dogs enjoy their veggies, and adding a unique addition to your dog’s diet every now and then is a perfect way to keep them satisfied and add a little variety to their diet.

Dogs are curious creatures who love to know what we’re eating at all times. If you’ve cooked yourself a delicious salmon dinner and your pup has come running, you’re probably wondering ‘can dogs eat salmon?’

When you’re sitting on the sofa and relaxing with your evening cup of tea, you might find that your dog is hanging around too. Since you’re enjoying your cuppa so much, you might be wondering whether your dog can have a bit of tea too. We’ve got all the answers below. Take a look!

In the warmer months, there’s nothing better than a fresh summer salad, whether you’re dining al fresco at your favourite restaurant or hosting a garden barbecue. But when you’re munching on lettuce and you can feel those puppy eyes on you, is it something you can share? Carry on reading to find out if its ok to give your pup some lettuce every now and then as we answer the question ‘can dogs eat lettuce?’.

A lot of us love the British and Irish delicacy that is black pudding. Made with a blend of fat, blood and oatmeal, black pudding sounds like it could be suitable to feed our furry friends – but can dogs eat black pudding? We’ve got a handy guide on whether dogs can eat black pudding below. Take a look! What is black pudding made from? Black pudding is made from pork or beef fat and blood, and a mixture of grains and flavourings. Some black pudding may not be safe for your dog to consume; for example, a lot of black pudding contains onion which is toxic to dogs.

We love indulging in pancakes with our favourite sweet or savoury toppings. Whether you enjoy fluffy or crepe-like pancakes, we can’t help but wonder if our furry friends can enjoy this treat with us. You’re bound to find hopeful eyes staring up at you as you dig in, so find out if dogs can eat pancakes and how they can safely enjoy them with our handy guide below. Read on!

At Christmas dinner, you’ve probably noticed your dog hanging about (and possibly giving you puppy dog eyes) because they can smell that delicious turkey cooking. But can dogs eat turkey and share the fun? We have a guide on whether dogs can eat turkey, when it’s unsafe to feed it, and how to safely feed it to them below. Can dogs eat turkey? Dogs can eat turkey in moderation, but it does depend on how it’s cooked. As long as the turkey is plain – without any seasonings, like onion, garlic, salt etc. – it’s safe for them to eat. It’s also important to avoid feeding them turkey skin as this is high in fat which may cause an upset stomach, and is often heavily seasoned. Can puppies eat turkey? Puppies can eat a little bit of plain, cooked turkey without the skin or bones, i.e., the white meat without seasoning. It’s important to remember that this is a snack and should not replace a meal. They should be receiving a balanced diet from their puppy food so they can grow healthy and strong! Can dogs eat cooked turkey? Yes, dogs can eat a bit of cooked turkey as a snack. This cooked turkey should be free of seasonings and fat, as this is not good for your dog. Depending on the seasoning, like garlic, this could be toxic to your dog so it’s imperative the cooked turkey is plain. Can dogs eat raw turkey? Dogs should not eat raw turkey as this can increase the likelihood of contracting a bacterial infection, like salmonella, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. If you feed your dog turkey, it should be cooked well and, as we mentioned, should be plain. Can dogs eat turkey bones? Dogs are commonly portrayed as lovers of bones but can they eat turkey bones? The answer is no. Turkey bones should not be given to your dog as they can cause a choking hazard. Or, if ingested, turkey bones can splinter off and cause damage to internal organs. This is especially true when turkey bones have been cooked as they’re more brittle. To find out more about if dogs can eat bones, see our handy guide here. Can dogs eat turkey skin? No, dogs cannot eat turkey skin. The skin of the turkey contains a lot of fat, which is not good for dogs. It’s also harder to chew so can cause a choking hazard. Not to mention, the skin is also usually covered in seasonings which could be toxic to your dog. It’s best to avoid feeding your dog turkey skin altogether. Can dogs eat turkey ham? Dogs should not eat turkey ham, just like other deli meats. Turkey ham is heavily processed and may be high in salt and preservatives. It could also cause stomach upset, so it’s best to steer clear. Is turkey good for dogs? Now you know if dogs can eat turkey, but is it good for dogs? Turkey can be good to feed your dog in moderation – you’ll even find it in many dog food flavours! It has nutritious properties like: A good source of proteinSource of B vitaminsSource of minerals, including selenium, zinc and phosphorus These nutrients are good for dogs but turkey should be fed as a snack. Although feeding your pooch turkey is fine, they should be getting their nutrients from a balanced dog diet. How should I feed my dog turkey? You can feed your dog small amounts of the white part of turkey – i.e., with no skin and with the bones removed – as long as there are no extra fats, like butter, and no seasonings on it. Onion and garlic are toxic to dogs, so it’s highly important to keep this in mind when feeding them turkey. Turkey can be good to feed your dog in moderation as it’s a source of protein. It’s a good idea to consult your vet before feeding your furry friend new foods, especially if they have health conditions or are overweight. We hope this guide answering ‘Can dogs eat turkey?’ was helpful! Looking for more information on what dogs eat? See our guide on ‘Can dogs eat salmon?’ next.

Having puppies is both exciting and exhausting for you and your pet. Whilst it’s wonderful to welcome adorable bundles of fur into your home, it’s hard work for a new mum to grow, deliver and look after a mischievous litter! Therefore it’s more important than ever for you to make sure your dog is getting everything theyneeds from theirfood. Eating right will make sure that both mum and her puppies are happy and healthy. Although adult-formula food is great for everyday use, your dog will need an extra boost of nutrients when pregnant, especially if they'reexpecting a large litter. Mums-to-be can get the higher amount of energy and protein that dogs need from a high quality puppy food. Feeding your pregnant dog a puppy formula will help to support your pet during and after pregnancy. Your dog’s body condition (and any other medical requirements) can affect what nutritional demands your petwill have when expecting. You can find out more about your dog’s body condition with our body conditioning tool.

Blueberries are a great, healthy snack for humans, but do they offer the same nutritional benefits for our dogs too? Find out if dogs can have blueberries and if they’re good for them with this article. Blueberries can be especially moreish for us humans. Their small size coupled with their juicy contents means that we often find ourselves reaching for berry after berry. And it makes it even better that they’re packed full of goodness for us to enjoy! Whilst you’re tucking into your delicious snack, you may discover you’re being watched by your four-legged friend, eagerly awaiting with their best puppy dog eyes and might find yourself wondering ‘can dogs eat blueberries?’ We’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about whether dogs can eat blueberries or not and if blueberries are good for dogs.

As humans, we love cheese and it’s no secret that our dogs often look at us with their best puppy dog eyes whilst we’re munching on it! But, can dogs eat cheese and is it good for them? Find out more with this article. Cheese is a common staple to the human diet. We often find ourselves reaching for the block to add a grating atop our meals and there are so many varieties available that it pairs well with everything! We’re not the only ones who think that cheese is particularly moreish either – our dogs also think it’s pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. But, where it’s obvious that most dogs think the taste of it is nothing short of divine, are they actually allowed to eat it and is cheese good for dogs? Keep reading to find out whether dogs can eat cheese! Can dogs eat cheese? In most cases yes, dogs can eat cheese. When given in moderation it can make a great high reward training treat (particularly when there’s lots of distractions) and most dogs adore the taste of it too. Can dogs eat cottage cheese? Yes, dogs can eat cottage cheese. This type is actually low in fat and sodium so it is actually one of the better options to give your dog as an occasional treat. Can dogs eat blue cheese? No, never give your dog blue cheese. The fungus involved in making blue cheeses such as Stilton can produce a substance called roquefortine C, which dogs can be very sensitive to. If your dog ingests this, they may develop the following symptoms: • Vomiting. • Diarrhoea. • High temperature. • Seizures. The higher the amount of blue cheese your dog eats, the greater risk of them developing the symptoms above. If you notice your dog displaying any of these signs, contact your vet straight away.

Many owners know that dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but do you know why? An accidental chocolate button dropped on the floor can be gone in instant - so be sure that you know what to do if your dog eats chocolate. We all like to indulge in a delicious bar of chocolate time after time, and as a nation of dog lovers, we’re all about sharing the experiences and flavours we love with our canine friends. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, which is particularly true with chocolate. It may surprise you to learn that dogs eating chocolate can be fatal as it’s highly poisonous and if they eat even the smallest amount, you’ll need to seek veterinary help straight away. At Purina, we care about your dog’s health and want to make sure they’re happy and healthy, which is why we’ve created this guide to tell you all you need to know about chocolate poisoning in dogs and what to do if your dog eats chocolate. Can dogs eat chocolate? No, dogs can’t eat chocolate. Although not all canines are as susceptible to becoming ill from eating chocolate, it isn’t good for any dog. Feeding your dog some of your Easter egg as a treat will probably have the opposite effect that you intend, and can result in some hefty vet bills. Why is chocolate bad for dogs? Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which human beings can metabolise naturally, but dogs can’t. Due to this, ingesting any foodstuff containing it leads to a build-up of theobromine, which can become toxic. Are there certain types of chocolate which are worse than others? Some chocolate contains higher levels of theobromine than others. Dark and cooking chocolate and cocoa have the highest levels, whereas milk and white chocolate have the lowest. It only takes less than an ounce of dark chocolate to poison a 19kg dog, so if you suspect your dog’s ingested even the smallest amount, seek veterinary help right away. Unfortunately, there’s no way to determine the exact amount of chocolate that a dog has to consume to become at risk of serious illness, as every animal’s metabolic rate is different. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs If you suspect your dog of eating chocolate, keep a close eye on them for the next 24 hours, as this is when symptoms will most likely start to develop. Some of the signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs you can look out for are listed below: