The human food you should never feed your dog if it's cooked

Deciphering what human foods are safe for our pets to consume can be very tricky, and the messages are often mixed; it's no surprise that pet owners frequently turn to the internet for guidance. 

Here are my answers to three of the most commonly searched questions about human food for pets.

Can dogs eat cooked lamb bones?

READ MORE: Five indoor plants that are dangerous for pets

Unfortunately, these are a no-go. Cooked bones, whether leftover scraps from your meal or have been baked, boiled or fried, should never be fed to dogs (or cats).

Cooking makes them hard and brittle, and they can easily splinter into pieces when chewed. These fragments are often very sharp and can get caught in the mouth, throat or gastrointestinal tract.  

Some of the issues vets see include injuries in the mouth with bone splinters piercing the gums, tongue and throat, choking, bowel obstructions and internal bleeding from splinters piercing organs.

If you choose to give raw bones, please chat to your vet about the best bones for your dog's size and health status.

View gallery

The top 10 most popular dog breeds in Australia

Can dogs eat honey? 

Honey is considered non-toxic and safe when given in very small quantities. It contains some vitamins and minerals, but it's also very high in sugar, so you must be cautious. Too much sugar in one hit can cause tummy upsets and, in the long term, can contribute to obesity.

Honey should be given as a treat only and not a regular part of your dog's diet. If your dog has a health condition like diabetes, chat with your vet about whether it is OK as a treat.

Avoid giving raw honey to puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems. It might contain botulism spores, which can make them very sick.

READ MORE: Why these little-known $30 earphones are so popular

Can dogs eat oats?

Oats are considered safe for dogs, when given in moderation. They are a good source of soluble fibre, and contain many minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B6, B9, E and K, but raw oats can be hard for a dog to digest. A few uncooked oats shouldn't present a problem,  but ideally, oats should be cooked and cooled to room temp before feeding.

If using porridge oats, they should be minimally processed and without flavours or mixes like raisins or xylitol, which are toxic to dogs.

Mix oats with plain water; avoid plant-based milk, as these can be difficult for a dog to digest and don't add salt or sugar.