Can I Share My Food with My Dog? 2025 Vet Do’s & Don’ts of Table Feeding 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Let’s be honest: almost every dog gets a bite of “people food” at some point. But what’s safe to share—and what could cause digestive issues, weight gain, or even toxic reactions?

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s how to safely share meals with your dog while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet—even if they’re eating raw or home-cooked food.

✅ The Good News: You Can Share Some Food

Dogs can safely enjoy many real, unseasoned whole foods from your kitchen, such as:

Protein

• Cooked lean meats: chicken, beef, turkey, lamb
• Cooked eggs (scrambled or boiled)
• Plain sardines or salmon (in water, no salt)

Carbs & Veggies

• White or brown rice, oats, quinoa
• Cooked pumpkin, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini

Fruits

• Blueberries, bananas, watermelon (seedless), apples (no seeds)

Healthy Fats (In Small Amounts)

• Olive oil, coconut oil, flax oil
• Unsweetened natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)

⚠️ Foods to Never Share

• Onions, garlic, chives (even cooked)
• Grapes or raisins – highly toxic!
• Chocolate, coffee, or caffeine
• Fatty leftovers like bacon, sausage, or fast food
• Macadamia nuts or salted mixed nuts
• Foods with seasoning, sauces, or artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol)

📏 Portion Guidelines

• Table food should make up no more than 10% of total daily calories
• One bite ≠ one meal. Think small, controlled, and low-fat
• Factor table food into the day’s total food volume to avoid overfeeding

🧠 Best Practices for Sharing Food

• Offer food in your dog’s bowl—not from the table
• Use treats for training or enrichment, not just guilt
• Never reward begging or whining with food
• Avoid feeding immediately after exercise or excitement

🥗 Better Than Scraps: Meal Add-Ons You Can Cook Together

• Boil extra sweet potatoes or pumpkin and store for the week
• Steam plain green beans alongside your own dinner
• Keep frozen blueberries or banana slices for quick snacks

🐾 Why I’m Not Against Table Feeding (If You’re Smart About It)

• It helps dogs feel included in family life
• It supports natural diet enrichment and diversity
• It can reinforce training and reduce food waste

🔗 Tools from Ask A Vet

• Ask A Vet – Upload your dog’s weekly diet and treats to get a vet review of your table feeding habits

📋 Summary Excerpt

Yes, you can share your food with your dog—as long as it’s safe, portioned, and part of a balanced diet. A vet shares what’s okay, what’s not, and how to avoid common mistakes.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Can I give my dog leftovers?
  A: Only if they’re unseasoned, plain, and don’t include garlic, onions, or fatty sauces.
• Q: Is it bad to give table food?
  A: Not at all—when it’s controlled, healthy, and factored into their overall diet plan.
• Q: What human foods can I use for treats?
  A: Lean meats, cooked veggies, boiled eggs, and berries are great, natural treat options.