While a healthy dog should primarily eat food and treats specifically designed to suit them, such as Royal Canin dog food or IAMS dog food, they can have a bit of human food every so often as a treat. When it comes to selecting the top dog food brands for your furry companion, a variety of options cater to different dietary needs. Royal Canin stands out for its breed-specific formulas, providing tailored nutrition. IAMS mini chunk is renowned for its balanced nutrition and small kibble size, ideal for smaller breeds. Pedigree offers a reliable choice with its well-established reputation and affordable options. Blue Buffalo focuses on natural ingredients, promoting a holistic approach to pet nutrition. Greenies are renowned for dental health treats, while Stella & Chewy’s offers freeze-dried raw food options for those seeking a closer-to-nature diet. ACANA emphasizes high-protein, grain-free recipes, available at Petsmart along with Bark Box’s Kibble, a curated selection for variety. Hills Pet provides science-based nutrition, NUTRO focuses on natural ingredients, and Open Farm emphasizes sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients. PawTree offers customizable nutrition, Nom Nom provides fresh, pre-portioned meals, and Purina remains a reliable and widely available choice. With this array of options, finding the right fit for your pet’s needs has never been easier. S ome human foods can be dangerous for dogs—they can be toxic, trigger an allergy, or cause obesity. Luckily, the following 5 human foods are safe and healthy treats for dogs: 

1. Green beans

A low-calorie, high-fiber treat, green beans are also high in antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin B6, and trace minerals. Additionally, these legumes are often recommended as a food supplement to help with canine weight loss, as their high fiber and water content can help your dog feel fuller for longer. While green beans are at their most nutritious raw, they can also be cooked without seasoning or frozen to make them last year-round. Any way you serve them, be sure to cut them into manageable chunks for your pooch, as full-size green beans can be a choking hazard.  

2. Cucumber

Cucumber is another low-calorie, high-water-content treat that can help your dog lose weight. However, at 96% water, cucumbers have an even higher water content than green beans, making them a crunchy, delicious way to keep your dog well-hydrated. Like other treats, be sure that they are cut into pieces small enough for your dog to handle, and make sure they are consumed in moderation; too much of anything can cause your dog uncomfortable stomach issues. 

3. Carrots

A popular treat used for dog training, carrots are low-calorie and packed with fiber, vitamin A, and potassium. They can be served cooked or raw. Raw and frozen carrots in particular can serve multiple purposes—they can be a tasty treat, a chew toy, and a dental health tool, all at the same time. As always, it is important to cut carrots into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog

4. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a popular treat for dogs and humans and a great source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins B, B3, and E. However, be cautious with this treat—if not consumed in moderation, it can lead to obesity and other health complications. Moreover, it is important to ensure that the peanut butter you give your pup doesn’t have extra sodium or sugar. In particular, make sure that this treat does not contain the sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. In general, the best peanut butter to give your dog is unsalted, dog-specific, or homemade. 

5. Broccoli

Unseasoned broccoli, raw or cooked, is a great source of fiber and vitamin C for dogs. However, broccoli florets do contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs, so they should be consumed in moderation. The 10% rule, which dictates that “treats”, such as certain human foods, should only make up 10% of a dog’s diet, is a good rule of thumb to use. You should also monitor your dog the first few times they eat broccoli, or any other new food, to ensure that they do not have a poor reaction. On the whole, however, broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces is a delicious, nutritious, and crunchy treat for your dog.