Ever find yourself having a snack, enjoying it, savoring it, only to glance down and find your pet glaring back at you? They make those eyes that say “please drop something for me”! Maybe you even consider giving your beloved furry family member a taste. But, before you do, let’s see if that snack is safe for your pet to eat as well as what they should not.
Your pooch
Dogs are, of course, man’s best friend. But, that doesn’t mean they can consume everything that man can. For example, they should never be given candy or chocolate, baked goods, garlic and onions, avocados, grapes or raisins. These foods may taste great to us but, they will almost certainly make your dog very sick and may even result in a fatality.
What you can share with your day are snacks that are made from vegetables, rice, pasta, popcorn, some fruit, bread, and even pretzels. There are even special ice pops that your pup may love on a hot summer day!
Recipe for watermelon carrot doggie ice pops (thanks to www.peelwithzeal.com)
- 2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 cups watermelon, chunked and seeds removed
- Pulse carrots in a blender until finely chopped
- Add watermelon and puree
- Pour into molds and freeze for 2 hours or more
Your feline friend
Cats are great pets and they love to curl up on their owner’s lap. They may even try to steal some of your food once in a while. Never leave chocolate, raw meat (fish, eggs etc) out where they can get to it. Also, never give them grapes, raisins, garlic or onions as they will make your kitty sick or worse. However, you may want to share a little cooked meat, whole grains, cooked fish, cooked eggs, vegetables, or even some cheese (such as bleu) with your cat. But, never allow them to eat too much as even that could make them sick.
Recipe for homemade cat treats (thanks to www.sortedfood.com)
- 1 tablespoon catnip (optional)
- 1 10oz can of tuna or salmon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Drain canned fish and reserve 3 tablespoons of liquid
- Put oats into a food processor and pulse until powdery
- Add all ingredients and pulse until it forms a ball of dough
- Too stick? Add flour. Too dry? Add water
- Roll dough to ⅛ inch thick
- Make shapes with a cookie cutter
- Put on baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown
- Allow to cool completely before giving to your cat
The hoppers
Rabbits can also enjoy a snack or two with you. They are able to munch on vegetables including bok choy, carrot tops(poisonous to humans), broccoli leaves, and celery. Rabbits also enjoy herbs such as basil and cilantro. Avoid feeding your rabbit any grains, meats, eggs, iceberg lettuce, dairy, chips or sweets. We may have a hankering for these foods but they are not safe for your bunny.
The “not so ninja” turtle
Even your little turtle friend may give you the “puppy dog eyes” that suggest he is pleading for some of your munchies. Each turtle species is different and you should research what is safe for your particular species of turtle before providing any human food. Although, fish, romaine lettuce, apples, crumbled egg yolks (hard-boiled) melons, and bananas are usually okay to share. Though you should probably avoid most dairy products, processed foods, and anything salty.
Safety warning
If you are ever uncertain or doubt whether or not a certain food is safe to give to your pet, don’t. Stick with treats specifically designed for your pet to be safe, rather than sorry. Introduce new, safe food to your pet in small doses and watch for negative interaction. Should they show signs of an allergic reaction, call your veterinarian immediately and be honest about what you feed your pet as well as how much.
