Can You Feed Cavapoos Human Food?

Yes, you can feed Cavapoos human food.

In fact, some human foods can be healthy for them.

But you need to be careful as some types of human food can be toxic to your dog and even cause serious health issues or death.

I feed my dogs some human food as a topper to their normal food giving them variety as well as fresh nutrients that are not present in processed dog food.

I think it is a good idea to include some human food in your dog’s diet.

Before feeding your dog any human food, please consult with your veterinarian to make sure it is safe and appropriate for your dog’s individual needs and health.

Table Of Contents

Why Feed Human Food To Your Cavapoo?
What Human Food Can I Feed My Cavapoo?
What Foods Should Cavapoos Not Eat?
Is It OK To Feed Your Cavapoo Human Food Every Day?
Pros and Cons of Feeding Dogs Human Food
Can I Feed My Dog Human Food Instead of Dog Food
So, Can You Feed Cavapoos Human Foods?

Why Feed Human Food To Your Cavapoo?

Human food provides variety, makes meal times more exciting, and provides vitamins and minerals that are not always present in processed dog food.

Can you imagine eating the same food twice a day every day of your life?

How boring would that be?

I am sure you would get sick and tired of eating the same food and you most definitely would not look forward to meal times.

I think dogs feel the same way.

I can tell when my dogs are bored with their food.

They eagerly wait for meal times but when I put the bowl down, they sniff the food and walk away or they take a long time to eat.

This is a signal for me to change things up a bit.

I look for any human food that I have in the fridge or pantry that is safe for them to eat and add a small amount to their food, mixing it well in.

I can immediately see a change in them. They scoff their food down which makes me and them very happy.

But how do you know which human foods are safe and which ones are bad for them?

The last thing you want to do is feed them something that will cause them harm so you must have a basic understanding of what they can and cannot eat.

What Human Food Can I Feed My Cavapoo?

There are quite a few human foods such as fruit and vegetables that are safe for Cavapoos to eat.

I suggest using these foods as toppers, treats, to get your dog to swallow medication or just to give them some variety in their food.

These human foods should not be fed as a single ingredient.

Here are some examples of human foods that are generally considered safe for dogs to eat in moderation:

Cooked eggs (plain and without seasoning)
Plain, unsweetened yogurt
Peanut butter (without xylitol, which is toxic to dogs)
Cheese (in small amounts, as some dogs may be lactose intolerant)
Cooked brown rice or quinoa
Tiny amounts of bread or crackers
Cooked or canned pumpkin (which can help with digestion)
Cooked or canned green beans (which are a good source of fiber)
Apples (without the seeds, which contain trace amounts of cyanide)
Carrots (which are a good source of beta-carotene)
Sweet potatoes (which are a good source of fiber and vitamins)
Blueberries (which are a good source of antioxidants)
Cucumbers (which are low in calories and a good source of hydration)
Plain, air-popped popcorn (without salt, butter, or other seasonings)
Watermelon (without the seeds or rind)
Cooked lentils or chickpeas (which are a good source of protein and fiber)
Cooked, unseasoned white rice (which can help with digestion)
Cooked, unseasoned pasta (such as plain cooked spaghetti)
Cooked or canned plain green peas (which are a good source of protein and fiber)
Bananas (which are a good source of magnesium)
Cantaloupe (without the seeds or rind)
Strawberries (which are a good source of vitamin C)
Cooked, unseasoned oatmeal (which is a good source of fiber)
Cooked liver (contains vital nutrients, healthy fats, iron, vitamin A, copper, zinc, phosphorus, essential fatty acids, and different B vitamins)
Cooked or canned plain salmon or tuna (which is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids)
Small amounts of cooked, unseasoned lean meats (such as turkey, chicken or beef)
Cooked, unseasoned sweet corn off the cob (which is a good source of fiber)
Honey (Small amounts are packed with countless nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants.

These human foods are meant to be given in moderation and not as a main meal.

Again, it is important to introduce any new foods gradually and consult with your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet.

What Foods Should Cavapoos Not Eat?

Here are some examples of human foods that are highly toxic to dogs and some that can cause health issues:

Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death in dogs.
Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts.
Onions and garlic: Onions and garlic contain compounds that can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia and other health problems.
Avocado: Avocado contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Macadamia nuts: Macadamia nuts can cause lethargy, vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors in dogs.
Alcohol: Alcohol can cause intoxication, coma, and death in dogs.
Coffee and caffeine: Coffee and caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors in dogs.
Xylitol: Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in sugar-free gum and candy, as well as some peanut butter brands. It can cause insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, and even death in dogs.

Cooked bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause blockages or tears in a dog’s digestive system, as well as pose a choking hazard.
Fatty foods: Fatty foods such as bacon, sausage, and fried foods can cause pancreatitis, a serious and painful inflammation of the pancreas.
Salt: Large amounts of salt can cause electrolyte imbalances and dehydration in dogs, which can be life-threatening.
Raw eggs: Raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause illness in dogs and humans.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and hallucinations in dogs.
Yeast dough: Yeast dough can expand and produce gas in a dog’s digestive system, causing bloating, abdominal pain, and potentially dangerous levels of alcohol in the bloodstream.
Chives: Like onions and garlic, chives can damage a dog’s red blood cells and lead to anemia.
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit contain citric acid, which can cause digestive upset in some dogs.
Mushrooms: Certain types of mushrooms can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, liver damage or failure in dogs.
Persimmons: Persimmons can cause intestinal blockages in dogs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially dangerous inflammation of the pancreas.
Rhubarb: Rhubarb leaves contain oxalates, which can cause kidney damage and other health problems in dogs.
Seeds and pits: Seeds and pits from fruits such as apples, cherries, peaches, and plums contain cyanide, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large amounts.
Tomato leaves and stems: Tomato leaves and stems contain solanine, which can cause digestive upset, weakness, and even paralysis in dogs.
Spinach: Spinach contains oxalates, which can interfere with calcium absorption and potentially lead to kidney damage in dogs.
Ice cream: Ice cream contains a lot of sugar so it is best not to give this to your dog

As always, it is important to keep these foods and any other potentially harmful substances out of reach of your dog.

If you suspect your Cavapoo has ingested any of these foods or substances, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.

Is It OK To Feed Your Cavapoo Human Food Every Day?

Small amounts of human food are okay to feed your Cavapoo every day but not as a replacement for their normal meals.

All dogs need a balanced diet consisting not just of food but also of vitamins and minerals.

A dog’s nutritional requirements are very different from a human’s.

So, feeding just human food without adding the vitamins and minerals that your dog needs will cause your dog to not develop properly and not let it live a full and healthy life.

Some specialized dog food companies manufacture human-grade dog food that is suitable for your dog to eat as a main meal.

These companies have enlisted the help of qualified veterinarians to make sure that the correct vitamins and minerals have been added in the right amounts to the food they produce.

These specialized human-grade dog foods are safe and can be fed to your dog on a consistent daily basis.

Pros and Cons of Feeding Dogs Human Food

Pros

Cavapoos are known to be picky eaters and it is quite common for them not to want to eat their food.

So the first pro is that adding high-value human food to their dog food can help entice them to eat.

Picky eaters need variety so keep changing things up to avoid them getting bored.

Human-grade food can also be used as training treats.

A nice piece of shredded chicken is a sure way of getting your Cavapoo to listen to you. Just be careful that you don’t feed too much.

Human food can provide essential nutrients that might be lacking in your dog’s normal food.

For example, maybe your dog has a dull coat.

Adding some sardines or salmon to their food will quickly turn that dull coat into a shiny one.

Carrots and green vegetables like broccoli can lower the risk of cancer. It won’t mean that your dog won’t get cancer but the risk is greatly reduced.

Cons

The most important con with regards to adding human food to your dog’s diet is the serious consequences that can result if you give them the wrong foods.

Make very sure you double-check with your veterinarian which human foods are safe for your Cavapoo.

Even though I have listed the foods I think are safe, every dog is unique and a human food that is safe for one dog might not be safe for another.

Another important con is that incorrect human food can make your dog fat.

My Dad is a prime example of this with his Jack Russel Terrier called Sally.

Whatever Dad was eating he would give some to Sally.

I tried my best to make him stop doing this but he kept saying ‘But it’s only a little bit and it won’t hurt”.

Well, it did as Sally became so fat that she stopped playing and looked like a barrel on legs.

Dogs cannot eat everything that we humans eat.

Their bodies handle food differently and we need to always keep that in mind.

Have a look at the ‘safe’ list listed earlier and also discuss this with your veterinarian for advice on quantity and frequency.

Can I Feed My Dog Human Food Instead of Dog Food

Yes, you can feed human food instead of dog food.

However, your dog needs the right amounts of vitamins and minerals added to the human food to keep them healthy and allow them to mature as they should.

If you are confident enough to know which vitamins to add then feeding just human food should be okay.

Just keep a close eye and schedule regular visits with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is receiving the correct nutrition.

If you are not confident and you want to feed your Cavapoo human food then I recommend buying dog food from a specialized dog food company like JustFoodForDogs.

This way you will rest assured that your dog is eating high-quality food and getting a balanced meal.