Feeding & Nutrition

Coconut is a wonderfully delicious treat that finds its way into many dessert and drink recipes, and what’s more, the flesh also makes a great snack by itself. It’s not just humans that have been enjoying coconut in their diet either – recently lots of dog foods and treats have been developed that contain this tropical ingredient. But that begs the question: “can dogs eat coconut”?

Offering your dog titbits of human food is usually not a good idea. And grapes are the prime example why you shouldn’t assume food is safe for your dog just because it’s safe for us humans. Keep reading to find out more about how toxic grapes are for dogs. Can dogs eat grapes? No, grapes can be highly toxic to dogs, so you should never feed this fruit to your pet and make sure that they don’t have easy access to it either. Ingesting grapes or raisins can be fatal for dogs. This is true no matter your dog’s breed, size or the amount ingested. And because scientists haven’t yet identified the exact substance in grapes that is toxic to dogs, your pet should avoid any type of grape-related product. What are the signs of grape poisoning in dogs? The answer to the question ‘can dogs have grapes’ is a resounding no. But if you’re worried that your pet has helped themself, you should contact your vet straight away, even if your pet is not yet showing any symptoms. Signs of grape or raisin toxicity include: • Vomiting • Diarrhoea • Lethargy • Panting and dry nose as symptoms of dehydration • Difficulty breathing • Excessive thirst Do not delay in contacting your vet, as your dog could develop serious health problems such a kidney failure. Why can some dogs have grapes without showing any toxicity symptoms? Whether your dog has eaten grapes in the past and seemed unaffected, or you’ve heard stories about owners feeding one or two grapes to their dog as a treat, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t assume your dog is immune to grape poisoning. Firstly, scientists haven’t yet managed to completely understand why grapes are such a toxic food to dogs. Dosage is one of the main mysteries, as some dogs become unwell after a single grape whereas others have been known to eat several without issues. While the dose considered toxic can vary from dog to dog, it’s not a good idea to try and find out what that is for your dog. Even if your pet does not show obvious signs of poisoning at first, you shouldn’t assume the pet is immune. There can sometimes be a delay in symptoms developing, and by this point your pet could already have very severe health complications. This is why, if you’ve witnessed your dog eating grapes, it’s important to call your vet immediately and not wait for symptoms to show up. The quicker the intervention, the better the chances that your dog won’t suffer fatal consequences.

There’s nothing better than tucking into a soft serve ice cream at the seaside on a hot summer’s day. It’s the perfect treat for keeping cool and something that all the family can enjoy, but does that extend to your four-legged friend too? It’s highly likely your dog will be there are your feet, begging with their best puppy dog eyes – which raises the question, can dogs eat ice cream?

You may be surprised to learn just how much onion we humans consume on a daily basis. Onion and onion powder are added to a vast number of recipes from soups to sauces, and this versatile vegetable is known for bringing an unforgettable flavour to dishes. With onions included as an ingredient in so many things, it’s caused many a pet parent to pause and ask the question “can dogs eat onions or foods that contain them?” Find out if onions are bad for dogs and more in this guide.

You probably already know that chocolate and grapes should not be fed to dogs. But what about another great snack: peanuts? Peanuts are not only tasty, they’re also high in nutrients such as protein and vitamins B6 and E.

Sweet and exotic in flavour, it’s easy to see why mango is one of the most popular fruits. But can we share a bite with our four-legged friends? Find out if dogs can eat mango in this guide.

Nuts are packed with nutrients, so it’s natural for pet owners to want to share all that good stuff with their pooches. But there are a few things you need to know to make sure they can enjoy them as a safe snack.

Have the creators of the iconic Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene taken artistic licence or does pasta really make a safe and delicious meal for our canine friends? Some of our favourite human foods are known to cause serious health issues for our pets, so it’s natural for owners to worry that spaghetti or noodles might belong to the same category of harmful foods.

Pears are deliciously sweet and juicy fruits that are rich in antioxidants and minerals. As they’re so good for us humans, it may have caused you to stop and think “can dogs eat pears?”

Roasted, baked, fried, mashed – so many delicious ways to enjoy potatoes, and just as many questions in the minds of dog owners wondering which one of their potato dishes they can safely share with their pet. Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple yes or no answer to the question “can dogs eat potatoes?”Human foods don’t always make an easy transition into the canine world. After all, our dogs have different nutritional check boxes to tick. And when it comes to quantities, what is an imperceptible amount of salt or sugar in a potato recipe can end up being many times over the maximum daily recommended amount for our pet. That’s why it’s important to understand if and how to offer dogs a piece of that delicious potato dish, so that both you and your pet can enjoy your meals safely and happily. Keep reading to find out more. Can dogs eat potatoes?

During the warmer months, it’s common for many of us to grow sweet, juicy raspberries in the garden or buy them from the shop as a deliciously refreshing treat. They’re the perfect healthy snack and taste fantastic in many desserts, but it’s not just us humans that like to munch on the juicy red berries, our dogs can be quite partial to a taste as well!

Peas are a well-loved vegetable and they find their way into a great number of meals that we cook. They’re highly versatile and packed full of nutrients for us humans, but are peas good for dogs?