Yogurts, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, apple, eggs, and green beans
are some human foods that are safe and beneficial to pets.
Yogurts contain a group
of living bacteria known as Lactobacillus species and these bacteria naturally
exist in the mouths, stomachs and intestines of humans and pets.
Lactobacillus is
considered beneficial to human and animal health because it does not cause
diseases and it also prevents the growth of other disease-causing bacteria.
To prevent such from
growing, Lactobacillus species act like carpet grass planted on a lawn or
football field. The carpet grass will spread out and prevent unwanted grass/
weeds from having the opportunity to grow.
When pets drink yogurt, the Lactobacillus lines up the stomach,
intestines and urinary tract, and reduce the space available for the growth of
harmful bacteria.
Yogurt is essentially
helpful if you have a pet that is fond of licking the ground and eating dirty
substances. Hence, a little plain yogurt as a snack (or even dessert) can help
to fortify the intestinal system and boost immunity.
Apart from containing
good bacteria, yogurts contain essential vitamins that can be beneficial to
your pets’ overall health. An example of such a vitamin is calcium which helps
your pet to build and maintain strong bones. The heart, muscles and nerves need
calcium to function properly.
Before giving yogurt to
your pet, please read the label to ensure it has no sugars or artificial
sweeteners.
Asides yogurt, oatmeal
also helps the proper functioning of your pet’s heart because it contains
calcium and phosphorus. These essential minerals are needed for cardiovascular
health.
Besides the benefits on
the heart, oatmeal is also helpful in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer
because it contains high-digestible fibre that can help to speed up the passage
of food and waste in the intestines.
However, if you intend
feeding oatmeal to your dogs, ensure that it is cooked and plain with no sugar
or flavours.
For best results,
yogurts can be mixed with oatmeal to produce a “super food” that contains
essential vitamins, minerals and probiotics to help in boosting immunity.
Asides the great
benefits of oatmeal, apples are extremely rich in dietary, antioxidants and
vitamins. Apple fibres can also help to clean residues from your pet’s teeth.
However, please ensure you remove the seeds. These seeds can be extremely
poisonous to dogs because they contains cyanide.
Eggs are a good source
of proteins and vitamins which are essential for proper functioning of your
pet’s organs. In fact, an egg a day may keep the vet away. Eggs are also a
cheap source of quality protein. For example, a crate of eggs will be enough to
supply a pet with good protein for one month.
However, please ensure
you boil the egg before feeding your pet because raw eggs may contain some
microorganisms such as salmonella which can cause stomach upset. Also, raw eggs
contain an enzyme known as Avidin. Avidin can prevent a dog’s absorption of
biotin (an essential vitamin) and trypsin (a very important amino acid).
Another human food you
can share with your pet is green beans because it is safe and highly
beneficial. Green beans are a good source of plant fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C,
and manganese. If your dog has a tendency to put on weight, then replacing some
of her regular food with green beans is a great low-calorie way to fill her up
and help her to maintain a healthy weight.
Broccoli and carrots are
also vitamin-rich vegetables that can be very beneficial to pets. They are good
sources of fibre and pets love the crunchy feel.
Cooked sweet potatoes
are good for pets because they are a source of dietary fibre and contains
vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. Sweet potatoes are readily
available, inexpensive and delicious.
Coconuts are loved by
dogs because of the milky taste and crunchy feel. Coconut oil is also a natural
dewormer.
In conclusion, please
note that some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of
animals, can pose hazards for pets.
Reference:
punchng
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