February is a big chocolate month! And we love to share good things with our dogs, don’t we? But don’t forget that chocolate is bad for our doggie friends while carob is a safe substitute. Other things that can be bad for dogs are raisins and grapes, avocados, onions, and alcohol. A quick web search will pull up more foods to avoid.
Some dog-friendly treats are carrots and slices of sweet potato—especially if you dry them in the oven or a dehydrator. Apple slices, unsweetened applesauce, celery, broccoli, and blueberries also are safe and delicious.
Peanut butter, offered sparingly as an occasional treat, is generally safe and popular with some dogs. In large quantities and with susceptible dogs, the peanut butter’s high fat content can lead to pancreatitis. Choose all-natural peanut butter, avoiding brands that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, also called birch sugar. Even tiny amounts of xylitol are highly toxic to dogs.
When you try a new food or treat with your dog, start with a small amount and be alert for signs of distress. As with people, individual dogs may have a sensitivity or allergy to certain foods.
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