What can I feed my dog when I’ve run out of dog food?

It happens… You can’t make it to the shops, or got caught out by bank holiday shopping hours, and have run out of dog food.

Feeding them human food can be a bit of a lottery, so we’ve put together a list of what will keep them properly nourished until you get some more – and what you should absolutely avoid.

You can also look after your dog’s health and wellbeing with peace-of-mind dog insurance.

First things first: There’s no replacement for a proper balanced diet

It’s worth pointing out that feeding your dog human food should only be an emergency stopgap. On a long-term basis, you should always feed your dog a nutritionally complete, proper balanced diet.

When choosing what to feed them in the meantime, make sure you pick foods which are:

• Low in fat
• Low in salt
• Not toxic to dogs

If your dog has any specific dietary needs, intolerances or food allergies, you should also bear this in mind.

What human food is safe to feed my dog?

If you need to feed your dog before you have a chance to restock on dog food, here are some safe and nutritious foods you can feed them.

Note that if your dog has a sensitive stomach, start with small portions to make sure they tolerate the temporary diet.

Sources of protein

Make sure these are cooked and plain – in other words, avoid seasoning:

• Chicken (skinless and boneless)
• Turkey (again, avoid bones)
• Eggs (scrambled or boiled)
• Lean beef or pork (avoid excessive fat)
• Fish (make sure it’s boneless)

When it comes to cooking, it’s OK to use a small amount of certain oils such as olive oil, coconut oil or unsalted butter. But avoid using excessive amounts. And there are certain oils it’s best not to use, such as sunflower oil or rapeseed oil.

If you can avoid using oil – such as by poaching a filleted fish or chicken breast – then do.

Carbohydrates

Again, these should be cooked and unseasoned:

• Rice (white or brown)
• Pasta
• Porridge oats / oatmeal (unsweetened and cooked in water)

Vegetables

For the most part, veggies are fine either cooked or raw:

• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Broccoli (in small amounts)
• Green beans
• Parsnips
• Peas
• Spinach
• Swede (cooked and diced or mashed)
• Sweet potatoes (cooked and diced or mashed)
• Sweetcorn (cooked)

Find out more about what vegetables dogs can eat.

Warning: Do not ever feed your dog onions, or food containing onion.

Fruits

Fruits are OK in moderation, but some are toxic to dogs, so be sure to check:

• Apples (no seeds or core)
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Pumpkin (cooked or pureed)
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes (but only red tomatoes)
• Watermelon (seedless)

Find out more about what fruit dogs can eat.

Warning: Do not ever feed your dog grapes or raisins.

Dairy

Some dogs are intolerant of dairy, but if they’re OK, you can feed them the following:

• Plain yogurt
• Cottage cheese

For extra flavour

These are fine in moderation, and may help to get fussier dogs to tuck in:

• Doggy peanut butter (avoid regular peanut butter with xylitol)
• Gravy (onionless)

Foods to avoid

Whatever you feed your dog, steer clear of the following:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Grapes or raisins
• Chocolate
• Avocado
• Nuts – especially macadamia nuts
• Bread
• Dairy-heavy products
• Spicy or seasoned foods, or anything salty
• Cooked bones
• Anything high in fat or sugar
• Anything with xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener

Can I feed my dog cat food?

It’s best not to. Cat food is made specifically for a carnivorous diet, whereas dogs are omnivores. Plus cat food is a lot more fatty, which is probably why dogs find it so delicious.

Be aware that if your dog eats cat food, it can cause stomach problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea. If your dog somehow snaffles all of your cat’s food, keep an close eye on them for the rest of the day in case they need to urgently go to the toilet.

Is honey safe for dogs?

Yes, honey is generally safe for dogs. As with other human food, it’s best to give it to them in small amounts.

In fact, feeding your dog honey will have certain benefits:

• It’s a natural energy boost, providing a quick source of sugar for active dogs
• Can help soothe coughs and throat irritation, such as mild kennel cough
• As with humans, local raw honey could help desensitise dogs to pollen allergies
• It also has antibacterial properties, so can be used on minor cuts, wounds and burns

How much honey is safe for dogs?

• Small dogs: ½ teaspoon per day
• Medium dogs: 1 teaspoon per day
• Large dogs: Up to 1 tablespoon per day

It’s worth noting that you should avoid giving your dog honey if they’re diabetic or overweight. It’s also best not to feed honey to puppies under 1 year, as it may contain certain spores which could be harmful to young immune systems.

Are there dog food recipes I can use?

As you’re just tiding things over, what you make doesn’t have to be especially gourmet. So from the above, you could give them poached chicken breast with veggies and (salt and onion-free) gravy, for example. Or cooked porridge oats with some fruit, and a blob of doggy peanut butter and/or plain yoghurt.

If you feel like stretching yourself a little more in the kitchen, here are some well-reviewed dog food recipes you could try:

• DIY homemade dog food at Damn Delicious
• Easy homemade dog food recipe at This Mess Is Ours
• Balanced homemade dog food at Stellanspice
• Dog food recipe from the_dog_nutritionist on Instagram

What should I do if my dog eats something toxic?

If your dog has eaten something toxic, or you suspect they have, it’s better safe than sorry. Take them to the vet to make sure they’re ok.

In particular, take them if they’ve eaten chocolate, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts, onion or garlic, or consumed caffeine or alcohol.

If you have an Agria Pet Insurance policy, you can get veterinary advice at any time through the Agria app.

See also:

• Choosing the right food for your dog
• Nutrition and diet guides for dogs
• What substances are toxic to dogs?