Should Dogs Eat People Food?

Can Dogs Eat People Food, or Will It Make Them Sick?

The Surprising Truth About the Worst Foods for Dogs

It’s a question that’s been debated for decades — should dogs eat people food?

The short answer is no…

...but also yes. 🤯

Confused? You should be.

Let’s break it down.

The phrase “people food” is one of the most misleading terms in the pet food industry. When most dog food companies warn you about “people food,” they’re not talking about broccoli, chicken, or fish. They’re lumping those natural foods in with potato chips, candy, fried food, and soda.

So let’s set the record straight...

What Do We Mean by “People Food”?

When critics say dogs should never eat people food, what are they really talking about?

🍗 Meat – beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish

🥦 Vegetables – broccoli, carrots, spinach, red cabbage

🍎 Fruits – apples, blueberries, bananas

🌾 Natural foods – things mammals have eaten for thousands (even millions) of years

These are not human foods.

They are foods — period. Humans eat them, dogs eat them, mammals eat them, even dinosaurs once ate them. Calling them “people foods” is pure arrogance.

Dogs are mammals. Just like us, they thrive on real food from nature.

Here’s where it gets tricky.

🔍 If you Google “can dogs eat [chicken, broccoli, fish],” the first results often come from Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, or other major dog food brands. Often these brand are 'vet approved,' but the message is always the same...

Their answer usually goes like this:

✔️ “A bite or two is okay… but really, you should buy our dog food instead.”

Why? Because these companies want you to think:

❌ Real food = unsafe or toxic

✅ Kibble = specially formulated, safe, scientific

This messaging has worked around the world for decades. It makes loving dog parents terrified of feeding real food — and dependent on bags of processed kibble.

Real Food vs. Junk Food

Now, let’s be clear. Some “people foods” are bad for dogs.

🍟 Junk foods – chips, fries, candy, cookies

🥤 Processed snacks – anything that comes in a plastic bag and lasts months or years on a shelf

🍩 Sugar-loaded treats – donuts, pastries, cakes

These are not natural foods. They’re manufactured, filled with preservatives, and bear little resemblance to what your dog’s body recognises as real nutrition...

...just like commercial dog food...

So when we say don’t feed dogs people food, what we should really mean is:

👉 Don’t feed dogs junk food.

What people food can dogs eat?

When it comes to natural, whole foods like steak, broccoli, fish, or cabbage?

✅ Those are not only safe — they’re essential.

The Truth About Table Scraps

Pet food companies love to warn against feeding “table scraps.” But let’s unpack that.

🍽️ If your table scraps are steak, veggies, and rice — that’s real food.

🍕 If your table scraps are pizza crust, chips, and fries — that’s junk food.

The danger isn’t in the concept of “scraps.” It’s in what the scraps are.

⚠️ Feeding your dog PROCESSED HUMAN FOODS at the table can cause issues:

Overeating and weight gain

Breaking a fasting schedule (if you use intermittent fasting)

Begging behavior

But the food itself — if it’s whole and natural — is not dangerous.

Why Senior Dogs Especially Need Real Food

Senior dogs have:

🐾 Weaker immune systems

🐾 Slower metabolisms

🐾 Higher risk of chronic illness (kidney, heart, cancer, arthritis)

🐾 Higher levels of low-grade, chronic inflammation

Feeding them highly processed kibble that’s:

❌ High in carbs

❌ Preserved for long shelf life

❌ Lacking in natural nutrients

…only makes things worse.

Real food — meat, veggies, healthy fats — gives senior dogs the bioavailable nutrients they desperately need to stay strong and age gracefully.

The Shelf-Life Problem With Kibble

Think about this: if you left fresh meat on a shelf, how long would it last?

⏳ A few hours, maybe a day at most.

So how do dog food companies get kibble to sit in a bag for months — even years?

🧪 By processing it with fillers, preservatives, and chemical stabilizers.

Your dog’s body doesn’t recognise these additives as food. And over time, they stress the liver, kidneys, and immune system.

That’s why many “vet approved” kibble diets actually shorten lifespans rather than extend them.

So What Should You Feed Instead?

The answer is simple: real food.

🥩 MOSTLY Meat – beef, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs

🥦 Vegetables – broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, red cabbage

🍎 (a little) Fruit – apples, blueberries, bananas

🥥 Healthy fats – coconut oil, olive oil, omega-3s

These are the foods dogs have evolved to eat. They provide:

✨ Protein for muscle and repair

✨ Antioxidants for aging cells

✨ Healthy fats for joints and brain health

✨ Fiber for digestion and GUT health

How to Start With Homemade Dog Food

You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start small.

👨‍🍳 Try adding a side of broccoli or spinach to your dog’s meal.

🍗 Cook up a batch of chicken or beef as a topper for kibble.

🍲 Make simple recipes like homemade bone broth or golden paste with turmeric.

🥓 Explore low-carb or keto-friendly meals that reduce inflammation.

🍗 Make homemade bone broth and give it to your dog daily.

Over time, you can transition fully to homemade meals that are cheaper, healthier, and far more satisfying for your dog.

Final Thoughts

So, should dogs eat people food?

🚫 No — if you mean Oreos, potato chips, and fast food.

✅ Yes — if you mean real food: meat, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats.

The phrase “people food” is misleading. Real food is for all animals, including dogs. The junk food? Leave that for humans.

👉 Next Steps:

📥 Download our free guide: Healthy Homemade Dog Food for Beginners

📖 Read more on why “vet approved” foods can be dangerous

Your dog deserves more than kibble. Give them what nature intended: real food.