Author: Blessing Otoro

Blessing Otoro is a certified canine nutritionist with over 4 years of experience in helping dogs live healthy through well-planned diets. Blessing started her journey from the lovely companionship she shared with Sophie, her gorgeous pup and the desire to know the science behind her nutritional needs.

Ah, the age-long question “Can dogs eat crisps?” Try as I might to not be a buzzkill, I have no choice but to tell you the truth. I’d strongly not recommend crisps for your pup.  Why are Crisps Bad For My Dog?  I’m sure after reading the first three lines of this post, you were itching to ask “Why are crisps bad?”. Don’t worry I’m here to enlighten you. You see this popular snack is a big no-no for your pup for a lot of reasons, let’s look at them shall we? High Fat and Sodium Content: After my research,…

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It would be unfair of me to say no to that. Chicken thighs are too juicy a treat for your dogs to resist, but still, I’ll advise treading with caution.  Are Chicken Thighs Safe for Dogs? Well, I’ll say yes but then it depends on how well you cook them and serve them to your pet. These are the things you need to do to make chicken thighs safer for your dog: Why your dogs should eat chicken thighs  My endorsement of this treat for your dogs is not founded on some personal desire. There are actually a lot of…

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No, I’d strongly not recommend cashew butter for your dogs.  Is Cashew Butter Safe for Dogs? As delicious as this treat is, it is not safe for your pup. Here’s a look at why you should avoid it completely:  It is Toxic: Cashews contain a toxic protein called urushiol, which is also found in poison ivy. Urushiol can cause severe stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in dogs. To make matters worse, some dogs may have an allergic reaction with symptoms like rash, itching, and difficulty in breathing. High-Fat Content: The fatty content in cashew butter is around 63% fat…

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Are you for real? That will either choke the life out of them or do other nasty stuff you don’t want to think about. Please do not feed your pets turkey bones – out of the question.  Why Turkey Bones Are Dangerous for Dogs Here’s why turkey bones are a nightmare for your dogs: What to do if your dog has eaten turkey bones? Now, don’t panic – that will just make things worse. You have to be brave for your pooch if they’ve eaten turkey bones and do the following: Safe alternatives to turkey bones for my dogs? Why…

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Yes, dogs can eat lentils but the trick is to keep things in moderation. To make things easy to balance, think of lentils as a treat and not a main course for your pup. You should also cook it plain without adding sauce or seasoning.  Why Are Lentils Good for Dogs? These are the major reasons lentils are good for your pets: Low in Fat: Lentils are low in saturated fat which makes them a perfect treat if you’re watching your dog’s weight. Nutrition: Lentils are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals which makes them a healthy addition to…

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Yes absolutely, dogs can enjoy almond butter, but only in small amounts.  Giving it to them in moderation is important because their bodies are different from ours. Treats like almond butter are high in fat and calories and too much of this can cause weight gain and pancreatitis. Some almond butter also contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. As responsible pet owners, do not fail to check the ingredient list and only give your dog plain almond butter.  Just like with any new food, start with a small amount and watch for any allergic reactions or…

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No, dogs should not eat prunes (dried plums) A Sneak Peek into Prunes and Plums As a pet owner, you may be confused because you can’t fathom how the dried plumes otherwise known as prunes are not recommended for dogs, I’ve been there before. However, research has helped me really understand the difference between the two, so let me share from my knowledge bank with you: Prunes are the dried version of plums, they are the same fruits, it’s just that one is now in a dehydrated form due to the drying process. Now, this process concentrates all the natural…

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No, I’d strongly recommend against giving your dog, because of the presence of sodium, fat, and other harmful preservatives. What is Spam? I can guess what comes to your mind when someone says I’m having spam for dinner, don’t worry it simply means a canned pork meat made by Hommel Foods Corporation. Although pork and ham make up the majority of the ingredients in spam, it also contains ham, salt, water, potato starch, and sodium nitrate as preservatives. Is spam safe for dogs? You may be thinking “ oh it’s just meat, it’s practically harmless” . I’m here to tell…

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Absolutely, dogs can have some Cheerios but in moderate amounts and there should not be flavor on them at all. It may sound like I am being a buzzkill, but follow me. While they contain fiber due to being made from oats, they have very little of the proteins, healthy fats, and other nutrients that dogs need in their diet.  Is Cheerios a Safe Treat for Dogs? You are in the clear when it comes to plain cheerios, so as long as you pay attention to: Sugar Content:  For instance, Honey Nut Cheerios and other varieties always have sugars, which…

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No, as delicious as it is, I wouldn’t recommend Mac and Cheese for dogs because this dish contains pasta, cheese, and milk which poses a lot of problems for dogs. Why Is Macaroni and Cheese Not Ideal for Dogs? Here’s why this dish is not safe for your pup:  Digestive Issues: Many dogs do not have the enzyme (lactase) that properly digests lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy products like milk and cheese. So, consuming dishes like this can cause diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and stomach upset High carbs and Fatty Content: Mac and cheese is filled with refined carbs…

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To be honest with you, the answer is an absolute no, your dogs cannot eat raisin bread. From my research, I realize this food is toxic to their health and also causes kidney failure. Raisins and their Toxicity to Dogs Raisins, whether in their plain form, in trail mixes, or baked in the bread are still very toxic to your dog. Although, what causes this toxicity is not known but if you offer even a small amount of this food to your pet, trust me you’re risking kidney failure and I’m sure you wouldn’t want this. The potency of this…

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No, I won’t recommend potato skin for your dogs and it’s not for the reason you think. No, they’re not toxic, but they will mess up your pet’s digestive system.  Potential Risks of Potato Skins These are what makes potato skins an unwholesome meal for your pets: Solanine Content: Potato skins contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to dogs in large quantities. While ripe potatoes contain low levels of solanine, green or spoiled potato skins may have higher concentrations which may cause solanine poisoning if your dogs consume more than the required amount.  Digestive Upset: Potato skins have a…

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