It is that time of the year, when the kids come home to visit filling up the otherwise quiet house.  Family and friends gather around the dinner table, and exchange stories over delicious, mouthwatering Thanksgiving and Holiday food.  But what about your dog?  It is tempting to feed your dog a stash of the same food served on the dinner table, and it is  actually okay…if you know what is nourishing and wholesome for your dog’s development.

It is difficult to determine a solid list of foods that qualify under this category.  Too many blog posts and online information concentrate on what dogs cannot eat, including chocolates and other heavy fatty foods, but eliminate the human foods dogs are allowed to digest.  Thus, in this post, I am going to solve this issue by focusing on what human foods your dog can eat from the holiday table.  Here are the top three food choices that are safe and healthy for your dog.

Eat More Chicken

“Eat More Chicken” is a slogan seen on Chick-fil-A commercials nationwide, and it is true when it comes to feeding your dog.   Just remember to keep the chicken grilled, baked or rotisserie-style.  Do not give your dog any fried chicken.  Be certain it is not seasoned with onions or excessive garlic and salt.  Your dog does not need the additional salt, and neither does your waistline.

Who Knew that Dogs Love Bananas?

My dogs love bananas.  It is a tasty fruit packed with nutrients assisting in healthy development of your dog.  It is a fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium free food filled with potassium.  Bananas have it all.  Try it out on your dog.  Find out if your dog likes bananas too.  It could be the next big winner in your dog’s meal plan.

Serve Green Beans but Hold the Salt

A serving of vegetables is very filling to a dog.  Green beans are the ideal foundation for any dog weight-management plan.  It contains Vitamin K, Iron, Vitamin C, Potassium, Protein and Fiber.  It also consists of one of the lowest calorie counts per serving.  Green beans are a healthy choice for a dog, but avoid putting any salt on this dish.  Too much salt can cause a dog kidney failure.

Your dog can enjoy in your holiday dinner feast.  The key is staying informed on what are healthy options for you, and your dog.

To find out more about what foods are safe to feed your dog, talk to a Florida dog training or a k9 obedience instructor today.