There are lots of food that you can share with your pet. When your pet becomes part of the household, it’s only natural to want share treats and titbits with them.

Although there are some foods that you shouldn’t give your pets, there are many morsels that are completely safe to share with your pet dog or cat. Because most of the sharing happens at the dinner table, it’s good to know what foods you can share with your pet.

Of course, it’s not good for your pet’s health to only serve “human” food. Animals have different nutritional requirements than humans. High-quality pet food contains everything that a healthy dog or cat needs.

Here are the top foods that you can safely share with your pet dog or cat while you are having your dinner.

Foods That Are Safe to Share with Your Pets

Pasta and rice

Pasta and rice are completely safe to share with your canine or feline friends once in a while. You can even mix some up with some regular dog or cat food. To make the food even healthier and more nutritious, give some cooked brown pasta or rice.

Meat

Meat is a great source of protein for your pet cat or dog and good-quality meat can benefit their health. Cats and dogs love beef, chicken, turkey, and even deli meats. Just make sure that the meat is well-cooked, cut into chunks, and doesn’t contain a lot of fat.

Just as you wouldn’t serve up old meat to your family, don’t give meat that has gone off to your pets. This can save you an unnecessary visit to your local vet.

Vegetables

Not all cats and dog like vegetables, but there are many that you can try to share with them. In fact, many pet owners are surprised their pets will eat fresh veg. Some of the best veggies that you can share are cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, and bell peppers. Or you could try and tempt them with some steamed broccoli. Vegetables are a rich source of nutrients and vitamins and the liquid content helps with digestion.

Hard-boiled eggs

Why not let your pet occasionally enjoy a hard-boiled with you at breakfast time. Eggs are another source of protein and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Don’t give raw eggs to pets because it can make them sick.

Cheese

Cheese is another food that both dogs and cats love. According to the American Kennel Club, the best kind of cheeses for dogs are low-fat cheeses like mozzarella and cottage cheese. These are fairly easy to digest and can help reduce the risk of obesity. However, for both cats and dogs, cheese can upset their stomachs and many are lactose intolerant. If you notice that cheesy treats cause stomach upset, stop giving these treats.

Foods You Shouldn’t Share with Your Pet

There are many foods that you shouldn’t share with your pet. These include chocolate, avocado, onions, garlic, alcohol, grapes, and raisins.