8 Holiday Foods to Share With Your Dog

Pet insurance blogs spend a lot of time warning you about foods that can harm your dog, why you shouldn't feed your dog from the table, and other dire warnings that your dog doesn't want us to give you. But it's the holidays, and there's food everywhere.

Your dog is likely interested in all the yummy smells and you may wish you could include your pup in more holiday activities. Below are some foods your dog can enjoy this holiday season - and some of them may actually be good for your furry friend.

1. Melons

Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew: it's not exactly the season for them, but all of these are excellent sources of nutrients for your dog. As a bonus, they help to keep her hydrated and happy. Just be sure to remove all seeds before letting your pup chow down, and limit her intake since melons can be a natural diuretic.

2. Berries

Another off-season staple, berries of any kind are perfectly fine for your dog to eat, and many are rich in antioxidants. Many dogs love the crunch of frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, although I've never seen a dog turn down a fresh berry out of spite.

3. Carrots 

Carrots are perfect snacks for dogs because they're multi-purpose. Not only are they delicious, their hard, crunchy consistency helps remove plaque from your pup's teeth and since they're quite labor-intensive to eat, they keep her busy and happy for quite some time.

4. Peanut Butter

Always a pup's favorite snack! Keep your dog busy (and not begging at the table) for hours by filling a treat ball or chew toy with peanut butter and freezing overnight. Your dog will have the best day of his life while you have a peaceful meal. Always check the ingredients list of your peanut butter; many manufacturers have replaced sugar with xylitol, which is lethal to dogs.

5. Cheese

It's totally okay to toss your pup a cube from the cheese tray. Related dairy products like cottage cheese and whipped cream (in small amounts) are okay, too. Just monitor your dog carefully, as many dogs can experience lactose intolerance.

6. Green Beans

Green beans are an especially satisfying and fiber-rich food that's not only good for your dog, it's likely in high supply at the holiday table. Be careful not to sneak him too many, though; green beans are very filling for dogs, and overeating can cause her discomfort and even sickness.

7. Chicken

Dogs are meat-lovers, always will be. Forego the fatty ham, though, and slip your dog a bit of chicken instead. It's lean and packed with protein, which is good for your dog's muscle health. Just don't feed him chicken that's been cooked with large amounts of onion or garlic, which are both toxic to dogs.

8. Eggs

Toss your dog some scrambled eggs to keep him feeling like part of the family - and possibly to get rid of the leftovers. Eggs are rich in protein and gentle on your dog's tummy.

To clarify, we're not recommending that you feed your dog all of these foods this holiday. Always introduce new foods to your dog slowly to avoid tummy troubles. But, if there are foods on this list that your dog has loved in the past, or if you're just trying to change your table scrap habits, focus on these healthy, common foods to keep your dog healthy and happy for many holidays to come.

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Looking for more ways to keep your pup happy and healthy? Consider investing in a dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.¹  Our dog insurance policies can provide the coverage and care your furry family member deserves.  Get your free quote today.