What are dogs’ favorite foods? 20 foods pups go crazy for

It’s no secret that our furry companions simply LOVE to eat. So much so, that they’ll often pine for scraps that should never pass the canine palate! That’s why first and foremost - when you’re figuring out your dog’s favorite food - you’ll need to make it your priority to get clued-up on the foods dogs can eat.

With the safety precautions locked in, let’s get into the exciting stuff - your dog’s favorite snacks. So, what do dogs like? Well below, we’re going to explore a few human foods you can try with your pooch to get to the bottom of which foods make them happy. 

Because along with walkies, sofa cuddles and games of fetch, your doggo sure deserves to be served up her favorite treats every now and then, right?

Peanut butter

Wondering if your pooch is nutty about peanut butter? Well there’s only one way to find out - it might just turn out to be your dog’s favorite human food. 

A word of caution - be sure to only serve your dog unsalted peanut butter, made with 100% peanuts and no added ingredients. Many of the added extras (like xylitol) are highly poisonous to dogs. 

And if you find your furry friend has a taste for the stuff, have a go at making these homemade dog treats.

Cucumbers

Cucumber is a pretty reliable snack for our canine companions - it’s low in sugar, vitamins C and K, potassium and of course fiber. So if you were wondering - what do dogs like that’s actually kind of healthy? Cucumber is your answer - serve as an occasional treat in bite-sized pieces.

Eggs

Did you know that dogs can eat eggs? Well they might just turn out to be your dog’s favorite food. Serve up as a treat on a special occasion, and your furry friend is sure to inhale them. And remember, don’t add any additional seasonings, flavorings or fats, and never serve raw eggs to your dog.

Salmon

Salmon is the perfect treat for your pooch - we’re sure the succulent, smooth texture will be right up your pup’s alley. Always serve cooked through and completely plain, and your furry friend will reap the health benefits - that’s a shiny coat, healthy skin and reduced inflammation all round.

Green beans

Green beans are packed with a whole spectrum of vitamins and minerals that your pup will benefit from if the vegetable becomes your dog’s favorite food. Just be sure to serve plain - raw or cooked - and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers might just become your dog’s favorite food to snack on - perfect as an occasional treat, they’re packed with vitamin C and we’re sure your canine pal will love their sweet taste.

Broccoli

Broccoli is safe for our furry friends in small doses - whether you choose to serve it up raw or plain. Just keep it occasional, as broccoli contains isothiocyanate - a compound which can result in a stomach upset in our canine friends.

Sunflower seeds

If you’re looking for a way to add an alphabet of vitamins into your doggo’s diet, shelled and unsalted sunflower seeds should be next on your shopping list for dog treats! They’re a great source of omega-3 fatty acids (which do wonders for your dog’s coat).

Peas

Ever noticed your pup pining for peas? Give them a whirl - many dogs love to feel included in your meal times, so having a small handful of (plain) peas at the table can help to keep them at bay while you eat your meal.

Zucchini

Zucchini is a fab low-calorie treat for your furry friend - and when served plain in small pieces, it might just become your dog’s favorite food. Plus, if you were looking for alternative dog training treats, small chunks of cooked or raw zucchini are sure to do the trick.

Edamame

If you were wondering - what do dogs like that we humans love to snack on, too (as we don’t imagine you tend to snack on cubes of raw zucchini too often!) - edamame is a great option for dogs. 

Just a small word of warning - if your doggo hasn’t tried any soy products before, serve with caution and just keep an eye on any signs of soy intolerance in your dog. These include inflammation of the eyelids, inflamed skin and an upset stomach.

Oatmeal

Feeding your dog oatmeal will certainly be well-received - just be conscious of your pup’s calorie intake, and only serve as an occasional treat. And as always, only serve with ingredients that are safe for dogs - like cinnamon - and cook with water as opposed to milk.

Peanuts

Peanuts are perfectly safe for our furry friends to try every now and again, but chop into small pieces, and make sure they’re shelled and plain. While nuts are a food that dogs love, they’re high in fat and some are even toxic to dogs, so always double check before feeding.

Dates

If you’re wondering - what do dogs enjoy that’s genuinely indulgent? Well give dates a try - just a small morsel is sure to get tails wagging. But due to their high sugar content, don’t make a habit of serving up dates to your pooch.

Popcorn

Did you know that dogs can eat popcorn, too? Yup, next time you’re snuggled on the sofa, ready for some chill time with your favorite furry pal, a popcorn morsel or two won’t do any harm - it might even become your dog’s favorite food to snack on. Just be sure to only serve popcorn completely plain to your pooch, and make sure the kernels are fully popped to avoid any risk of choking.

Tofu

What foods do dogs love the most? Well we bet you didn’t imagine tofu to pop up any time soon. So long as your pooch isn’t intolerant to soy products, tofu can be a handy addition to homemade dog treats as it’s a great source of protein.

Meat

This one is likely no surprise to you, fellow pet parent, but our canine companions sure do love a helping of freshly-sizzled meat. Just be sure to serve lean cuts fully cooked through, and make sure it’s not coated in garlic, onion or added salt (or any other foods dogs can’t eat, for that matter).

And while your pup may pine for it, don’t treat your dog to cured meat - it’s often high in fat and salt, and your pooch will enjoy a lean slice of cooked chicken just the same. 

In fact, with their (roughly) 1700 taste buds (versus our 9000), it begs the question - would your pooch be able to tell the difference? Either way, know they’re not missing out by dodging cured cuts.

Shrimp

With the head, shell and tail removed, small amounts of cooked shrimp will be heavily appreciated by your pooch. Just be sure to only serve as an occasional treat, as they’re pretty high in salt and cholesterol.

Cheese

Why do dogs like cheese so much? Well it’s high in calories and salt - two of the most mouth-watering prospects to our pooches. If you’d like to treat your pup to a cube or two, check the type is safe for dogs, as some may cause an upset stomach, while others can be difficult to digest.

Dog treats!

Okay, it’s not human food. But if you’re wondering - what do dogs like to eat that are completely full-proof? Well it’s dog treats and their very own dog food, of course. While our pups sure won’t turn down human snacks, they’ll certainly never say no to dog treats made especially for canines.

A final word of (expert) advice

While it’s great to know what dogs like to eat, it’s worth noting that dogs can live perfectly happy and healthy lives on dog food alone - without the addition of salmon and eggs. In fact for some dogs, a dog food-only diet is safer for them.

And if you can’t take our word for it, we’ve got the professional seal of approval from Dr Marc Abraham OBE - a multi-award-winning veterinarian, author, broadcaster, and animal welfare campaigner - with a treasure trove of knowledge on our canine friends. 

“Regarding kibble-only diets, it does maybe seem boring when you consider the variation us humans eat, plus seeing every different brand and type of food, and treats, available on the market for dogs. 

Saying that, it’s important to always make sure our pets are fed a complete diet, containing all the necessary nutrients for that age and type of dog to thrive, and if they do well on kibble-only then they’ll happily not require anything else. 

Pros of feeding kibble-only include dogs requiring hypoallergenic diets, it’s usually a much more convenient way of feeding as kibble doesn’t require being refrigerated or thawed, it can be left out with reduced risk of spoiling, plus amounts can be easily weighed (and a ration used as treats) which is handy when controlling your pet’s weight, especially dealing with cases of canine obesity.”

For more expert advice on pet health from Dr Marc Abraham, OBE, head to our community forum and take a look at Marc's blog on the bond between dogs and humans.

What can dogs eat?

Want to expand your canine’s culinary horizons but not sure where to start, or concerned your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have? Check out our blog for a vet-approved guide on what dogs can eat.