Ideally, your pet should get most of their nutrition from their regular diet. Snacks should equate to no more than five percent of their daily caloric intake, so keep portion sizes small.
Additionally, people food tends to be high in fat and sugar, and too much fat or sugar can lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) that can land your pet in the hospital. Also, be mindful that too much of a food your pet is not used to can lead to some digestive upset.
Once you understand those two guidelines, feel free to go ahead and see what foods your pet likes from the list below!
Vegetables: Veggies such as carrots, celery, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower or cooked (canned) pumpkin are all good snack options. Since vegetables are low in fat and calories, they are a great snack for your furry friend. It’s best to cut vegetables into small bite size pieces to avoid any choking hazards. They can either be offered raw (other than pumpkin) or cooked—just avoid seasonings if you are offering them cooked!
Fruit: Apples, bananas, cucumbers, pineapple, cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries and kiwi are all okay to give to your pet. Like vegetables, cutting harder fruits into bite size pieces is advisable, as well as removing any seeds, cores, stems or peels. Adding cucumbers to your pet’s water or making a doggie smoothie with fruits makes for a cool summer treat!
Popcorn: Popcorn is a favorite for many pets—and for good reason! Air-popped popcorn is a healthy snack for you and your furry companion and avoids excessive amounts of fat or salt.
Peanut butter: Many pets love peanut butter. Using it as an ingredient in a pet-friendly recipe or as a way to hide medication are some common ways it may be given. There are a limited number of peanut butter products that contain xylitol—a sugar substitute that can be lethal to dogs—so make sure to check the ingredient labels before you give it to your pet. Since peanut butter is also high in fat, it’s best to keep the quantities you treat our pet to on the small side.
Cheese: A small cube of cheese is a great snack and/or pill disguise for your four-legged friend! Make sure to only offer a small piece sparingly as too much can lead to digestive upset.
Meats: Small amounts of lean cooked chicken, turkey, beef or pork that are free of bones and seasoning are also okay. It is best to avoid processed meats like lunch meat or bacon as they are can be high in salt.
Read ASPCA's full article here
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