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6 Reasons to Eat with your Dog

6 Reasons to Eat with your Dog

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Healthy Dog Basics, Healthy Dog, Healthy Human: Nutrition First Foods, We Eat Together

Eating with your dog can be surprisingly beneficial—for both of you!

Here are some of the main reasons:

  1. Strengthens Bonding

Sharing mealtime side-by-side builds your connection. Dogs are social eaters by nature, so eating at the same time as you mimics pack behaviour and makes them feel included. Humans are also social eaters and this is one of the best ways to get extra emotional nourishment during mealtimes.

2. Encourages Mindful Eating (for you both!)

Dogs eat with enthusiasm and presence—watching them can remind you to slow down and enjoy your own meal. I was once told by my naturopath to chew eat bite 32 times for each of your 32 teeth, this not only ensure that you food is well broken down, it also makes you eat slower. Eating slowly helps you eat less overall as you give your body time to feel satisfied without overeating.

3. Supports Routine and Structure

Dogs thrive on routine. Eating at the same time helps establish consistent schedules, which reduces stress for them. Humans also benefit from regular meals, so syncing up can improve your own eating habits as you are no longer waiting until hanger comes over and binge eating starts.

4. You will Eat Meat  

When you prepare meals that are safe to share, you naturally lean toward lesser processed, real whole foods with more nutrient-dense ingredients. A dog’s diet is particularly healthy for those struggling with irritable bowels.  

Meat is a superfood. We always get inundated with kale and açai berries being superfoods, but in reality the most nutrition is found in organic, free range meats.

5. Reduces Begging and Food Anxiety

Dogs who always see humans eating at different times may develop begging behaviours or food-related stress. Eating together signals that food is abundant and shared, helping prevent resource-guarding or overexcitement around meals.

As someone with a reactive and high prey drive dog who was technically bred for the army, food aggression is the one thing we do not have. Jealousy and curiosity over what you are eating yes. Sharing with another dog however, is no problem.

6. More Joy

Eating together can reduce loneliness and increase joy. Dog’s were blessed with joy and there’s no other species on earth that have more of it. Spending meal times with you dogs gives you more time with them, more time to soak in joy. And who doesn’t want more joy in their life?

I am a big advocate for sharing meals with dogs and they will always have a seat at my table.

Do you Eat with your Dog?

Leave us a comment and tell us your favourite meal to share.

My Dog’s Food Healed my Irritable Bowel

My Dog’s Food Healed my Irritable Bowel

by | Aug 23, 2025 | Daily Dog Meals, Gluten Free, Healthy Dog Basics, Healthy Dog, Healthy Human: Nutrition First Foods, IBD

Ever since I was little, I had an irritable bowel. I was always sensitive to foods, but it wasn’t until I was much older that I was able to connect the dots. 

A nutritionist introduced me to Low FODMAPS. It refers to a type of diet that limits certain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the gut and can cause digestive discomfort. 

FODMAP is an acronym for:

  • Fermentable
  • Oligosaccharides (fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides found in wheat, grains, onions)
  • Disaccharides (lactose in milk, soft cheeses)
  • Monosaccharides (excess fructose)
  • Polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, found in some fruits, vegetables, and artificial sweeteners)

These carbs ferment in the large intestine, which can trigger:

  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation

At first, you may feel like there’s nothing left to eat but there is in fact plenty to create with. 

So how does this all relate to my dog’s diet? 

Good question! It turns out that Low FODMAP food choices, AKA: gut healing foods— are shockingly similar to healthy dog food.

If you’re here, you know I love to cook for my dog. I am much better at cooking for her than I am myself. When I can do both at the same time, it’s a win-win!

Can Dogs have Irritable Bowel Disease?

Yes. They can. Any irritable bowel such as diarrhea, upset tummy, constipation, itchy skin, allergies and chronic infections can be due to IBD.

I have IBD, but luckily my dog does not.

Lila has a rock hard olympic level digestive system that I find myself very jealous of on a regular basis. And although she has certainly dug up frozen onions from the garden and chowed down of them before I could get to her— I would rather her eat healthier choices that have no known toxicity. (She completely disagrees!)

Scroll for the recipes: ↓

 

My top Gut Healthy Foods

 

  • Pumpkin
  • Yams
  • Organic, Free range meats
  • Wild Fish
  • Bone Broth (the dog friendly kind linked here… no onions!)
  • Zucchini 
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Spaghetti Squash 
  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Broccoli
  • Peppers

Notice the similarities to your dog’s grocery list?

FODMAPS are generally considered safe for dogs because they are low in sugar and complex carbs, the things that are toxic and cause weight gain. 

So what do I eat in a day on a Low FODMAP Dog diet?

Keep reading to find out:

Mornings are better with the sounds of paws on the floor and the smell and sight of something tasty on the table. Breakfast is when sleepy yawns turn into wagging tails — the first chance of the day to fuel up and sneak a few bites of something wholesome together.

Breakfast: Omlettes

 

My Mums wants me to eat eggs. They are not my favourite but when she rolls them up and shares hers with me, I eat it. 

Eggs have never been Lila’s favourite. They are a superfood for both of us and quick and easy to make. With most foods, as long as I eat them, she will too. So we have breakfast together.

Step by Step Instructions

Ingredients for Two Omlettes

  • 4 Eggs

  • 2 Mushrooms, chopped

  • 1/4 cup zucchini, chopped

  • 1/4 Red pepper, chopped  

Omlettes are a quick breakfast and if you mess up the roll, its still a delicious scramble. I always find it easier to roll awar

Step 1

Sauté veggies together with a pinch of salt until soft. Remove from heat. 

Step 2

Beat 2 Eggs together in bowl. In a clean medium sized frying pan (non-stick is easiest) add eggs into the pan and let cook on low heat. 

Step 3

As the eggs firm in the pan, place 1/2 the veggie mix on the edge of the pan closest to you. 

 

Step 4

As the eggs firm in the pan, place 1/2 the veggie mix on the edge of the pan closest to you. 

Step 5

Use a spatula and gently roll the mixture away from you, until you have a roll of eggs and veggies.

Let sit in the pan on low heat until firm.

 

Step 6

Repeat for the next omelette and enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Choose Organic Free Range whenever possible.

    • Free Range Chickens eat grasses, weeds, and bugs → higher omega-3s, carotenoids, vitamin E.

    • Sunlight exposure: More vitamin D in yolks.

    • No corn/soy heavy feed: Reduces omega-6 dominance.

  • Perfect Protein: Eggs are a phenomenal protein source for dogs and provide a perfect protein. 

By the time lunch rolls around, the morning’s adventures are behind us and the afternoon is still wide open. It’s the perfect moment to pause, refuel, and enjoy a snack that keeps us going for the rest of the day.

Lunch: Kombocha Squash and Chicken Soup

Squash is meh. Chicken is good! My mums mixes them together because she says it helps me poop good. I’m always telling her there’s more to life than pooping.

Kombocha Squash not only soothes the digestive tract but it also helps keep poop healthy- easy to make and easy to get out. Lila does not like squash but will eat it mixed with chicken.

Step by Step Instructions

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Bone broth
  • 3 cups Shredded, cooked chicken
  • 1 cup of roasted kombocha squash 
Step 1

Mix all ingredients together, bring to a low simmer. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes to let the flavours blend. 

Step 2

Serve and enjoy!

Step 4

Store excess soup in the fridge for tomorrow, or the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Nutrition

  • Nutrient Dense, low calories:

    • Vitamin A (beta-carotene):  → supports vision, skin, immune system.

    • Potassium: ~564 mg (~12% DV) → heart and muscle function

  • Antioxidants: protect eyes, reduce inflammation, and support skin health.

After long walks, busy afternoons, and maybe a few too many backyard adventures, it’s time to gather around the the table for a meal that nourishes both you and your dog.

Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Squash again. Blah. Meatballs though, 11 out of 10!  

Meatballs are definitely the favourite part of this meal and although the squash noodles are healthy, sometimes they need a dash of butter for Lila to eat them. 

Baked salmon bits mixed in a bowel with green beans and sprig of rosemary on the side of the bowl.

Step by Step Instructions

Ingredients

For the spaghetti squash noodles

1 Spaghetti squash

 

For the meatballs

2 Cups ground beef

1/2 Cup finely chopped carrot

1/4 Cup finely chopped celery

 

For the roasted red pepper sauce

1 Large grilled or roasted bell pepper

4 Basil leaves

Gluten-free noodles that are as pure and healthy as you can possibly find.

Step 1

For the spaghetti squash noodles, cut the squash in half and remove the seeds. Place the halves in a baking dish. Bake in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 1½ hours, or until they are soft to the touch.

 

Step 2

Use a fork to scoop the flesh from the squash for noodles.

Step 3

In a bowl, mix the ground beef with the carrots and celery. Divide and shape the mixture into 5 meatballs. Place them in a baking dish and bake in a 350 F (180 C) oven for 45 minutes.

Step 4

For the roasted red pepper sauce, blend the red pepper with the basil until smooth. 

Step 5

Serve the spaghetti squash noodles topped with the meatballs and roasted red pepper sauce.

Nutrition

    • Beef: a high value energy protein. Choose organic, free range, grass-fed and grass-finished beef for the highest nutritional benefits. 

    • Squash: high fibre and helps metabolism.  
    • Red Bell Pepper: Vitamin A and Carotenoids keep eyes and skin healthy.

All these meals are:

→ Dog safe and Lila’s taste buds approved

→  Low FODMAP

→  Gut Healing

→  Delicious and Nutritious

→  Gluten Free

→  Dairy Free (unless you need to add some cheese or butter for your furry friends tasting pleasure.)

Have you tried these recipes?

Let us know in the comments! 

What a Dog and her Human Eat in a Day

What a Dog and her Human Eat in a Day

by | Aug 14, 2025 | Daily Dog Meals, Healthy Dog, Healthy Human: Nutrition First Foods

A Day in the Life of shared meals with a Dog and her Human.

Breakfast: Toast

Lunch: Turkey and Egg Muffins

Dinner: Baked Salmon, Yams and Rosemary Green Beans.

 

In this kitchen, dogs have a seat at the table every day. I often makes meals that work for us both. Lila loves cheese. Her human does not. So simple changes from one plate to the other are sometimes best for the taste buds.

Food should be simple, and what a dog eats is surprisingly very healthy for a human to eat. 

The following recipes are some of our day-to-day breakfasts, lunches and dinners. 

 

Scroll for the recipes: ↓

 

Breakfast: Toasted Dog Bread

 

My Mums likes to cook for me and I am always happy to share. Lately I’ve really wanted breakfast so I was so glad she started making this yummy bread. It’s tastes nutty and makes me drool at the thought of it. And she puts tastey stuff on it. 

When I was young I never wanted breakfast, but now that I’m older I wake up craving food to get my day started. Lila is on a similar track and the older she gets to more often she will ask for breakfast. This bread is one of our favourites, whether it’s topped with eggs, peanut butter or roasted bone marrow. It’s delicious, nutritious and both gluten and dairy free. 

Step by Step Instructions

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Tahini
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder

The first time I gave Lila this bread, I had baked them in the shape of bones and she promptly took it outside to roll on it. She had to lick the squished bread out of the grass once she was done.

Deliciously nutty, with an abundance of essential fatty acids to keep skin and hair moisturized and soft. This is a quick and easy addition to your kitchen that both you and your dog can enjoy. 

Step 1

Measure out 1 cup of tahini, 3 whole eggs and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

Step 2

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until well combined. You can do this by hand but as sticky as tahini is, it is much easier with a blender. 

Step 3

Pour into moulds. I use these fun bone shapes for small snack size portions, but you can also use a full loaf pan. 

For a full sized loaf pan the baking time will be longer. 

 

Step 4

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Just like with a cake, use a toothpick to check doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean, it’s ready. 

Step 5

Remove from the mould as soon as it’s cool enough to touch. Store in a sealed container and use within 3 days. Freeze in a sealed container for longer storage. 

Step 6

Serve with the topping of your choice: PB & banana, eggs or roasted bone marrow.  

Nutrition

  • Protein powerhouse: eggs offer high-quality complete proteins and tahini adding plant-based protein.

  • Mineral powerhouse: Excellent sources of calcium, iron, and potassium.

  • Fat composition: Tahini provides mostly unsaturated fats, promoting heart health, as well as soft shinny coats and healthy skin.

  • Fiber boost: Tahini adds fiber which helps with digestion and satiety.

Lunch: Turkey and Egg Muffin

Lunch is good. I always love me some lunch. If my mums is late with the lunch, I will go find something myself in the backyard. She’s always telling me not to eat this and that, so I say she should be ontime with the lunch. 

Lunch break is important, and not just because I love to eat. It refuels you and if you eat the right thing, you can avoid energy crashes and while Lila naps, I can get things done. And If we eat lunch, she find less mystery snacks in the backyard.  

Step by Step Instructions

Ingredients

  • Eggs (1 per muffin)
  • Handful, cooked turkey, either shredded or ground
  • Handful, chopped spinach
  • Cheese (optional) 1 slice per muffin

Lila loves herself some egg muffins, but is not the biggest fans of eggs on their own. Eggs are a super food for dogs (and humans) so I encourage her to eat them. These baked muffins topped with some cheese, she absolutely loves. 

I make mine without the cheese, as I am not a fan. 

Step 1

Place spinach and turkey in the bottom of the muffin tin. 

Step 2

Crack the eggs into the muffin tin. 

Step 3

Top each egg with cheese (optional)

 

Step 4

Place in the airfryer for 5-7 minutes. If you tap the side of the muffin tin and the eggs move around a lot, they need more time. 

Step 5

Remove from the muffin tin and serve. 

Nutrition

  • High protein, low calories

  • Minerals and Vitamins: A, C, K, iron, magnesium, folate, and antioxidants with minimal calories.

  • Spinach: Excellent for bone health and rich in antioxidants. 

Dinner: Roasted Salmon, Yams and Rosemary Green Beans

Dinner is my favourite. That is all. Please get back to making it for me. When the air fryer beeps, I will know to come in. 

Lila knows the sound of the air fryer and when to come knocking. This is a quick and easy dinner to make and any extras make leftover dinners easy the following day. 

Baked salmon bits mixed in a bowel with green beans and sprig of rosemary on the side of the bowl.

Step by Step Instructions

Ingredients

 

  • 2 salmon pieces

  • 1 handful of green beans

  • 1 sprig of rosemary

  • 1 yam, sliced in half

This is one of our favourite shared meals. I try to buy wild salmon as the farmed salmon has less protein, higher calories and less vitamin D content. 

The green beans offer fibre and are nice and crunchy for dogs and humans. And the yams help balance blood sugar levels to keep you from getting hangry or wanting a snack at midnight. 

Step 1

Cut the yam in half and rub coconut oil on the center of the yam. 

 

Step 2

Place the yam in the over for 60 minutes, until soft to the touch. 

Step 3

Wrap the green beans in tin foil, add a touch of olive oil and a sprig of rosemary. Bake for 20 minutes, until soft.  

Step 4

Place the salmon on a baking sheet, skin side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. (When white appears on the top of the salmon, and the flesh flakes- it’s done.) 

Step 5

Put all the desired portions on a plate, pull up a chair at the table and enjoy! 

Nutrition

    • Excellent protein source with all essential amino acids.

    • Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart, brain, and joint health.

    • High in vitamin D and B vitamins, particularly B12.

Have you tried these recipes?

Let us know in the comments!