They say that dogs are a ‘man’s best friend’, with many owners gifting them presents and even letting them join in with dinnertime, so it is no surprise that thousands of Brits are searching for a wide variety of food they can safely feed their furry best friends.
TopDog, which sells unique dog accessories, has researched search data and also asked questions to determine exactly what UK owners want to feed their furry friends and whether they can.
Some of the questions that yielded the most searches include “Can dogs eat bananas?” which reached 17k searches in June 2024, 5.4k searches for “Can dogs eat pasta?”, and a huge 30k searches for “raw dog food” for broader results.
Other searches show that dog owners really do see their pets as part of the family, with questions such as “Is BBQ food good for dogs?”, “How to make a dog Christmas dinner?” and “Can I give my dog birthday cake?” leading to the belief that a lot of pup-parents want to ensure they join in as much as possible.
But can owners feed their dogs birthday cake, or food from a BBQ? Not all human food is okay to give dogs, with some so toxic they could be fatal, including avocado, chocolate, nutmeg, onions and garlic. For those planning to include their dog in their next meal-time or social event, TopDog recommend following these pup-approved recipes:
Dog-friendly birthday cake
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup honey (Optional)
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup whole wheat or white flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Method:
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees and then grease a fluted tube pan. Next combine the egg, honey, peanut butter, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl and blend well. Stir in the carrots until well combined and then sift together flour and baking soda and fold into the carrot mixture. Spoon the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Dog-friendly BBQ food
Foods safe from a BBQ:
- Meat (removing the fat and bones and not cooked in oil)
- Salads (minus avocado and onion)
- Potatoes (not cooked in oil)
- Burger/hot dog buns (just the one)
- Pasta (no garlic)
Foods not safe from a BBQ:
- Avocado
- Onions and garlic (in any seasoning or salads)
- Meat bones
- Anything too spicy
Dog-friendly curry night
Ingredients:
- 1 small carrot
- 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
- 80g red pepper
- 1.5 tsp turmeric
- 200g pork
Method:
Place the red pepper and carrot in a blender or food processor and blend. Add the Greek yoghurt and turmeric powder to the blended mixture and blend once more. Place the small pieces of pork in a very hot, non-stick pot for a good sear (be sure not to use oil) and stir for 2 minutes. Add the curry sauce to the pot, bring to a boil, then cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes until the pork is tender and the sauce is well cooked through.
It is important to note that while some human food is perfectly fine for dogs, and the above recipes will serve as a tasty treat, it is also essential that you give your dog all the nutrients they need. Ronan Fitzgerald, Veterinary Technical Advisor for Protexin Pet notes:
“For many of us, our dog is a much-loved member of the family. Their unwavering loyalty and companionship is such that we often feel tempted to spoil them and that frequently means sharing our own food with them, whether as a treat or even as a major part of their nutritional intake, however, this can do more harm than good.
“Treats, such as our biscuits and cookies are often high in calories and fat and could contribute to obesity. More broadly, we also need to pay attention to the ingredients in the food or treats we might be tempted to buy for our pet: are they high in salt, sugar or fat?
“It is easy to purchase treats which are formulated specifically for dogs and may be used with confidence, especially if made by an established and reputable manufacturer. If you do want to go the extra mile and make treats for your dog, then there are recipes available online. Again, it’s important to ensure that these are tried and tested and all of the ingredients will be safe for your own dog.”
You can read the full report on what dog owners are searching for when it comes to their dog’s dinners and find more expert guidance on what dogs can and cannot eat on TopDog’s blog.
