You’re eating dinner at home when you feel something brush up against your leg. It’s your pup! And even though his dinner is right there, they want what you’re having, too.

The great news is many people-friendly foods are healthy for dogs, but the bad news is that the wrong food can make your dog extremely sick.

At Lyka, we want you and your pup to be safe, well-nourished, and happy. Let’s talk about what dogs can and can’t eat.

Foods that are good for dogs

1. Lean animal protein

While it’s true that too much protein can be bad for your dog, lean protein in appropriate amounts can be beneficial.

Eggs are another great source of protein for your dog. They are very digestible and super easy to integrate with other foods. Next time you have some scrambled eggs, you can “accidentally” drop a bit on the floor for pup.

Other great sources of lean animal protein include chicken and turkey.

Which animal protein sources are NOT okay? High-sodium, extra-fatty animal protein sources, including bacon (sorry, pup!) ham, and many beef products, are not healthy for dogs.

2. Some vegetables

High in Vitamin C and fibre, broccoli makes a nice treat once in a while. Be careful not to offer your dog too much, though — it can cause gastric upset.

Celery is a great snack for pups. And, if your dog is known for having stinky breath, this veggie might help!

Cucumbers are also a nutritious snack option. They're full of water, rich in Vitamins B1, C, and K, as well as magnesium and biotin (important for nail and hair health).

As a general rule of thumb, feed your dog fresh or fresh-frozen vegetables rather than canned. Canned vegetables can hide large amounts of sodium or other additives that aren’t good for your dog.

Other dog-friendly veg include green beans, peas, brussel sprouts, and carrots (a whole carrot makes for a great distraction).

Which vegetables are NOT okay? Onions and the green parts of tomatoes are all on the list of what dogs can’t eat as they can be toxic to your pup. This includes the powdered forms of these ingredients.

3. Fruits

Cantaloupe is a great example of a fruit you should share sparingly with your dog. It is high in sugar compared to other fruits, but it also contains loads of healthy fibre and water.

Blueberries might be the perfect dog-training treat. These antioxidant-rich berries are healthy for you and your pup. See how skilled your dog is at catching them.

Mango chunks are also beneficial for dogs — try freezing them in the summer months! This fruit is packed with vitamins A, C, and E. Remember to remove the peel and pit.

Because of the sugar content, monitor your pup's fruit consumption. Just like with vegetables, only fresh fruit (or freshly frozen) should be fed to your pup to avoid unwanted sugar and additives.

Other dog-safe fruits that can be enjoyed in moderation include peaches, pears, oranges, pineapples, bananas, and berries, like raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries.

Which fruits are NOT okay? Cherries, grapes, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and plums can all be dangerous for your dog.

Foods that are never OK for dogs

It can seem like dogs have invincible digestive systems sometimes, but there are many human foods that your pup just can’t eat. Here are several examples.

1. Chocolate and cocoa-based products

This one is pretty well-known among the dog-loving community, but there is still a lot of confusion surrounding this fact.

The chocolate rule of thumb: The higher the cocoa concentration, the more dangerous the product.

If your pup gets into a few squares of milk chocolate, they might have an upset stomach and uncomfortable bowel movements from the sugar, but they likely won’t experience any poisoning from the cocoa content.

But, replace that milk chocolate with baker’s chocolate, which has a very high cocoa content, and your dog could be in trouble.

2. Most dairy products

It’s best to avoid most dairy products when it comes to your pup, since many dogs experience gastric upset ranging from mild to severe. Just like us, our pups can live with lactose intolerance, too!

Be careful of high-lactose dairy products like whole milk, skim milk, ice cream, sour cream, and cottage cheese. These could cause your pup to get sick.

3. Sugary products

Sure, your pup might enjoy a sugary treat as much as you do, but sugar is much more dangerous for them than it is for you.

Xylitol, a sweetener found in candy, toothpaste, and gum, among other foods, can be fatally toxic to dogs.

Other foods you should never feed your pup include coffee, alcohol, and highly processed foods.

With Lyka, your pup’s diet is under control. Lyka incorporates all fresh ingredients that are beneficial for your dog’s health, without including any fillers or byproducts. Each Lyka meal is vet-approved, complete and balanced and has the perfect amount of nutrients your pup needs to thrive.