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Dog Safe Easter Foods

Easter is a time for new beginnings. As those of you who have been with us for a while have no doubt noted, NWBR had been kinda coasting along for a while. Well, things are about to change for the better: more activity, more excitement, more LIFE, and hopefully more boxers saved. Please bear with us as we go through our own journey to become a better, more engaging rescue than before.


To kick things off, here is an excellent article by the good folks at PUPFORD.COM about:


WHAT EASTER FOODS ARE DOG SAFE? by pupford.com

Those who celebrate Easter usually do so with a few main traditions: egg hunts, family gatherings, and – most importantly – food.


And with so many of us including our dogs in our Easter celebrations (see exhibit A below), we want to make sure we are including them in a safe way.


Unfortunately, one of the most common problems that land dogs in the emergency vet on holidays is the ingestion of toxic food.


With Easter quickly approaching, we want to help families have an egg-celent time, without any-bunny getting sick from eating something dangerous or toxic.


Ok – got the puns out of our system, time to get back to business.


Today we’ll discuss Easter foods that are safe to share with our dogs (and those that are NOT!) as well as a few popular recipes for special Easter meals to share with our four-legged family members.



There are a good number of foods on your Eater table that are safe to share with your dog – if prepared in a dog-friendly way.


So what can you share with your pooch?


VEGETABLES

Veggies are great to share with your dog because they are low-calorie and full of nutrients. Vegetables likely to make an appearance on your holiday dinner plate that you can share with your dog include:

  • Carrots

  • Cucumbers

  • Celery

  • Zucchini

  • Green beans

  • Broccoli

  • Cauliflower

  • Brussels sprouts

  • Peas

  • Potatoes/sweet potatoes

  • Squash

Just make sure the vegetables you share with your dog don’t have garlic, onion, scallions, or salt in their seasoning. When in doubt, set some aside for your dog before seasoning.


FRUITS


Similar to vegetables, fruit can make a great nutrient-packed snack for your dog. Some options we love for sharing:

When it comes to fruit, we want to make sure all skins/membranes/seeds are removed before giving them to our dogs. Additionally, always choose fruit that’s on its own, rather than included in part of a dessert that contains sugar or spices.


For a more in-depth breakdown of produce that you can or can’t share with your dog, check out our article 39 Vegetables and Fruits Dogs Can Eat and Can’t Eat.


MEAT/SEAFOOD

Can’t forget the protein! Meat is a great option to share with your dog, again, so long as it’s prepared in a dog-friendly way.


Both poultry (chicken, turkey, etc) and lean red meat (beef, lamb, etc.) are all typically fine to share with your dog. Choose pieces with no skin, bones, or seasoning.


Seafood like salmon and shrimp is generally safe too – as long as they are prepared in a way that minimizes the risk of foodborne illnesses and don’t have bones or shells.


OTHER FOODS

Side dishes and appetizers, AKA the unsung heroes of holiday dinners, can also sometimes be okay to share with your dog. Dog-safe dishes include:

  • Rice (plain)

  • Pasta (plain)

  • Eggs (scrambled or hard-boiled but NOT deviled)

  • Dairy (such as Greek yogurt and small amounts of cheese)

  • Peanut butter (that does not contain xylitol)

The same rule of thumb from fruits and vegetables applies here too – when in doubt, set some plain or unseasoned food aside for your dog before preparing your dishes.



WHAT FOODS SHOULD YOU AVOID GIVING YOUR DOG?


While there are a number of safe options when it comes to Easter food for your dog, there are also a handful to avoid.

Keep the following foods out of reach of your dog, since they can be toxic and even potentially deadly:

  • Easter candy, especially chocolate

  • Sweets that contain xylitol

  • Alcohol

  • Garlic

  • Onions

  • Avocados

  • Grapes/raisins

  • Bones and skin

  • Whole nuts and seeds

If you think your dog consumed any of these, contact your vet as soon as possible. If they start to vomit, have diarrhea, or seem disoriented, seek emergency medical attention immediately.


For more examples of common foods your dog can’t eat, and explanations of why, jump over to our article 20 Foods Your Dog Can and Can’t Eat.


And if you’re taking your Easter celebrations outdoors this year, check out BBQ Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat.

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