Rice, beans, bones: which human foods can your dog actually eat?
Nigerian kitchens and dogs share a lot of food. What is safe, what is risky, and the common foods that send dogs to the vet.
Most Nigerian dogs eat from the family pot at least sometimes, so let us be practical instead of pretending otherwise. Some of our everyday foods are perfectly fine for dogs. Others quietly cause problems, and a few are outright dangerous.
Generally safe in moderation
Plain cooked rice, boiled yam, sweet potato, plain boiled chicken or beef without seasoning, boiled eggs, carrots, green beans and unsweetened pap are all fine for most dogs. Beans are safe when well cooked and given moderately; too much causes the same gas in dogs as in people.
The problem is usually the pot, not the food
The rice is not the issue; the stew on it is. Onions and garlic, which are in nearly everything we cook, damage dogs' red blood cells over time. Heavy pepper irritates their stomachs. Excess salt and seasoning cubes strain the kidneys. If you share food, share it plain, set aside before the seasoning goes in.
Foods that should never reach your dog
- Chocolate, in any form, at any size
- Onions and garlic in quantity
- Grapes and raisins
- Alcohol, including palm wine
- Anything sweetened with xylitol (some sugar-free gums and drinks)
- Mouldy or spoilt leftovers, which cause tremors and worse
About bones
Cooked bones, especially chicken bones, splinter. Splinters puncture guts. Vets see the results, and the surgery to fix it costs more than a year of proper food. If you want your dog to chew, buy a proper chew toy or a raw bone sized for the dog, never the remains of Sunday rice and chicken.
The better habit
Table food as an occasional plain treat is fine. As a diet, it shortchanges dogs on nutrients they need. A quality complete food does the daily work; browse the vet-chosen options in our Pet Shop, delivered to your door. Unsure what fits your dog and budget? Ask us during your next home visit.
Feed better, starting this week
Vet-chosen food and supplements, delivered across Lagos in 24 to 48 hours, or free with your visit.
