Golden retrievers love to have a bite of everything you’re eating. As a pet parent, it may make you worried about their health and safety. We’ve deeply researched human foods that your golden retrievers can eat safely, and some of them can even be beneficial to them.
Human foods that golden retrievers can eat are cooked rice, honey, plain portobello mushrooms, shrimp, plain popcorn, unsalted peanut butter, pasta, bread, corn, oatmeal, and cashews. They must be given in moderation and from time to time only after consulting your vet.
Even for feeding these safe human foods to your golden retriever, you must consider a few things crucial for their health and well-being. We will discuss them in detail one by one in this article.
What Human Foods Golden Retrievers Can Eat?
Consult your vet first before adding anything new to your golden retriever’s diet. Once they approve, considering their health, age, diet, and health history, start off slowly or as instructed by your vet.
What can golden retrievers eat from your food category? Without further ado, let’s look at 20 human foods dogs can eat safely.
1. White Rice or Brown Rice
Unseasoned, cooked rice can be given to golden retrievers from time to time. However, most pet parents have to choose between white rice and brown rice for their dogs.
Overall, rice is a rich source of carbs and also contains vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, vitamin B, folic acid, and niacin.
It’s often suggested by vets as a source of carbs in a bland diet after your golden retriever had a gastrointestinal upset.
White rice is a polished grain with a high glycemic index due to its high starch content. It is low in nutrients and fiber content compared to brown rice because its outer bran layer is removed.
This is why golden retrievers with diabetes or obesity shouldn’t be given white rice, as it can increase blood sugar levels and weight too.
White rice can be ideal for dogs with digestive issues like diarrhea since it slows their bowel movements and reduces diarrhea as it has low dietary fiber. Low fiber also makes digestion easier.
On the other hand, as brown rice is whole grain, it’s high in nutritional content compared to white rice and contains more fiber, and has a lower glycemic index.
It can aid digestion and keep your dog fuller for longer but can make digestion harder, especially for dogs with digestive issues.
Make sure to boil rice properly, and don’t season it with anything at all, as you don’t want to feed them anything that may be toxic to them.
If your dog maintains a healthy weight, you can feed them a small amount of rice from time to time. Your vet will better guide you on the quantity and frequency of feeding rice.
2. Dairy Products
Dairy products are great sources of vitamin D, calcium, protein, and B vitamins.
Golden retrievers can also have dairy products like cheese, plain yogurt, milk, and cooked, unseasoned eggs occasionally and in small quantities only.
The reason why they should only eat dairy products occasionally and in small quantities is that they can lead to weight gain and even digestive upset.
If they are lactose intolerant, you shouldn’t give them any dairy products as they won’t be able to digest them properly and will have symptoms like abdominal pain, gas, and vomiting.
Recommended Reading: Can Golden Retrievers Drink Milk?
Moreover, if your dog is allergic to dairy products, you should also not give them any, as the symptoms can sometimes be fatal.
3. Fish
Your golden retriever can also safely eat fish. However, like any other human food, you should ensure it’s given in moderation and occasionally. Too much fish can also lead to obesity in dogs.
Fish is a great source of protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help maintain the quality of the skin and coat of your dog. Otherwise, they may excessively shed, among other reasons.
Recommended Reading: Do Golden Retriever Puppies Shed?
According to research, the most common food allergens in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, and wheat. Hence, fish is also an amazing alternative to chicken or beef for dogs allergic to them.
Keep in mind that some fish are high in mercury, like king mackerel and bigeye tuna. Whereas some fish low in mercury are anchovy, salmon, sardine, and light canned tuna. (we used this chart by FDA for reference.)
A few reports showed that mercury poisoning in dogs (although rare) led to progressive neurologic and gastrointestinal signs and renal dysfunction. Hence, it’s better to be safe than sorry and feed fish low in mercury.
Before giving fish to your golden retriever, make sure it’s plain and well-cooked, grilled, or steamed. Don’t add any seasonings or oil to it.
Raw fish may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella, which can make your golden retriever sick. Hence, you must cook it properly.
Carefully remove fish bones, which can get stuck in your dog’s throat, intestines, stomach, or mouth, causing pain and other medical issues.
For light canned tuna, make sure it doesn’t contain any ingredients toxic to your dog, like garlic and even salt.
4. Chicken
Chicken is a great source of protein for dogs and is also found in many dog foods. You can feed your golden retriever well-cooked, unseasoned chicken after removing bones.
Not removing the bones can cause intestinal obstruction and pose the risk of choking. You can either bake, steam, grill or boil the chicken.
Don’t feed raw chicken to your golden retriever. A study found the presence of salmonella (a bacteria) in 80% of the bones and raw food diet samples and 30% of dog stool samples fed this diet.
If you want your golden retriever to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity, make sure you feed them skinless chicken as it’s lower in fats and calories.
5. Unsalted Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an excellent source of plant-based protein. It also contains vitamin E, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, manganese, copper, magnesium, and folate.
As it’s high in fats and calories, it should only be given in moderation and occasionally to prevent obesity.
When choosing peanut butter for your golden retriever, read the ingredients label carefully to ensure it’s unsalted and doesn’t contain any artificial additives, added sugar, or even xylitol.
Some brands also add xylitol to peanut butter, which is safe for humans, but toxic for dogs.
Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute and can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and acute liver failure upon ingestion in dogs.
6. Plain Popcorn
Who doesn’t love eating homemade popcorn when watching a movie? Of course, they can get stuck in the corners of your couch and make you wonder if this homemade food for golden retrievers is safe.
Well, golden retrievers can eat plain popcorn in small quantities, just like any other treat or human food.
Popcorn actually contains fiber and several minerals like magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese, along with small amounts of a few vitamins.
However, make sure popcorn doesn’t contain any toppings as well as salt, butter, or sugar. They can increase the calorie count and lead to obesity and other health problems related to it.
Make air-popped popcorn at home, as the popper machine will only use hot air like this one. If you cook on the stovetop, you will have to add oil, increasing the fat content.
In addition, you should ensure popcorn is fully popped. Uncooked or half-popped kernels can get stuck in your golden retriever’s teeth and also lead to a choking hazard.
7. Corn
Corn is a good source of fiber that helps dogs with digestion and is an excellent source of carbs. It also contains protein, vitamin C, potassium, folate, and magnesium.
Again, like any other human food, it should be considered a treat only and given in moderation from time to time.
Never give your golden retriever corn on the cob, as you never know they may take a bite of the cob as well, leading to the risk of intestinal blockage.
You should remove corn from the cob using this cob corn stripper that easily separates the corn from the cob with a few twists. Make sure the kernels are cooked as well for easier chewing and digestion!
You can also find canned corn on the market, but you should avoid feeding it to your dog because it mostly contains salt and sugar, which isn’t good for your dog.
8. Turkey
Turkey is another great source of protein for dogs and is used in many commercial dog foods. It’s also rich in vitamins B3, B6, and B12, selenium, sodium, and phosphorus.
You can feed your golden retriever unseasoned, plain, and properly cooked turkey without any bones.
Seasonings can irritate their stomach. We also tend to stuff onions and garlic in turkey before we eat, which is a big no-no for dogs.
It’s better to choose a skinless turkey because it’s low in fat and calories.
Pro tip: White meat from turkey (wing and breast meat) contains fewer calories and fats and slightly more proteins than dark meat parts (legs and thighs). Hence, feeding white turkey meat will be better for your golden retriever.
9. Green Beans
Green beans are an amazing alternative to unhealthy treats as they contain vitamins and minerals, including fiber, to keep your dog fuller.
Green beans contain folate (vitamin B9), vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.
To safely feed green beans to your golden retriever, make sure they are plain and well-chopped to prevent any choking hazards.
You can either feed them raw, canned, or steamed green beans. When choosing canned green beans, carefully read the ingredient list to ensure it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients or even salt.
Whereas, for raw green beans, wash them properly with clean water to avoid any bacterial infection.
10. Lean Beef
Your golden retriever can eat lean beef, which contains low amounts of fats, cholesterol, and saturated fat and is packed with proteins without risking their health.
Lean beef also contains omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, and some essential B vitamins like B12 and B6.
Do ask your butcher or grocer to give the lean cuts of beef. Some of the lean cuts of beef are:
- Shoulder
- Lower chest
- Front leg
- Back
- Lower back
- Rear leg
Of course, it should only be eaten in moderation. Lean beef must be well-cooked and plain without any seasonings or sauces that may contain potentially toxic ingredients.
11. Lamb
Lamb is another rich source of protein to support your golden retriever’s muscles, immune system, and skin. It also contains vitamin B12, iron, zinc, niacin (vitamin B3), phosphorus, and selenium.
Lamb is also found in many commercial dog foods. It is a great alternative to beef and chicken if your golden retriever has sensitivities or is allergic to them.
Ensure lamb is properly cooked without any seasonings, herbs, sauces, or spices. Cook it through methods that don’t require oil, like steam, boil, or grill.
It should be given in moderation and cut into small chunks to make chewing and digestion easier.
12. Bread
Golden retrievers can eat a small amount of plain white or wheat bread from time to time if they aren’t allergic to wheat.
Recommended Reading: Should Golden Retrievers Eat Grain-Free?
However, keep in mind that it doesn’t offer any extra nutritional benefits when they are already being given a well-balanced diet. It will only make them more prone to obesity.
Bread is high in carbs and calories and low in vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. However, whole-wheat bread is high in fiber.
If you still want to give your golden retriever bread every once in a while, it’s better if you bake it at home. This way, you have control over what’s added to it.
For instance, raisins or grapes, macadamia nuts, and even garlic are often added to bread for extra flavor. For humans, it does taste delicious and is safe, but for dogs, these ingredients are toxic.
Plain white or plain whole-wheat bread will be a safe option for dogs.
Be extra cautious with uncooked bread dough as you put it to the side to rise or dispose of some in the trash. You don’t want any piece of raw bread dough to be ingested by your dog as it can lead to unpleasant effects and also alcohol poisoning (ethanol toxicosis).
If your dog eats raw bread dough, the yeast will ensure it keeps rising even in their stomach due to the ideal internal body temperature, causing the stomach to expand and bloat and even produce ethanol.
A report from the ASPCA animal poison control center for 3 cases of ingesting raw bread dough by dogs highlighted that the clinical signs were blindness, vomiting, hypothermia, ataxia (loss of muscle control), and recumbency.
According to this report, ingesting uncooked bread dough can cause gastric obstruction, bloat, or ethanol toxicosis.
Look for these signs if you think your dog has accidentally ingested uncooked bread dough, and reach out to your vet immediately.
13. Pasta
Your golden retriever can safely eat pasta, noodles, or spaghetti once in a while in small quantities only as it’s not toxic to them.
However, it doesn’t really offer much nutritional benefits. Pasta is a great source of carbs, and it may give a boost of energy (which can still be obtained from healthy dog food), but in high quantities can lead to weight gain and other related health problems.
Whole wheat pasta is usually a better option than refined pasta because it’s slightly lower in calories and higher in fiber.
Before feeding pasta to your dog, you must make sure they are not allergic to wheat or eggs that they are made from.
In addition, give your dog only some of the plain, boiled pasta without any salt, seasonings, or pasta sauces which may contain toxic ingredients or even boost the calorie count.
14. Quinoa
Quinoa is a healthy alternative to corn and even grains like soy and wheat since it’s packed with proteins, fibers, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.
Manganese, magnesium, and phosphorous are the highest levels of minerals found in this healthy whole grain.
Your golden retriever can safely eat plain and well-cooked quinoa as this will make digestion easier and won’t put them at risk from toxic ingredients like garlic.
Some dogs might have difficulty digesting it and may show symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting after consumption. If this happens, stop giving them quinoa.
This is why it’s important, like with any other human food, to ask your vet first before introducing any new food and give a small amount.
Furthermore, some pet parents may be concerned about saponins found on the quinoa seed. It’s a naturally occurring phytochemical to help protect the quinoa plant from pests with a bitter taste and may be slightly irritating to the digestive system.
To stay on the safe side, you should wash quinoa properly or soak it in water to get rid of saponins. This wet technique is still the most used at industrial and laboratory levels to eliminate saponins.
15. Oatmeal
Oats are a whole grain cereal and high in carbs, at the same time, an excellent source of fiber.
They are also a good source of protein and contain many beneficial vitamins and minerals like vitamin B1, zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorus.
Your golden retriever can eat plain and well-cooked oatmeal once in a while in small quantities. Since it’s high in carbs, it can lead to weight gain and also cause digestive issues if given in large quantities due to high fiber.
The right way to cook oatmeal before feeding it to your golden retriever is to cook it in water instead of milk, as some may not be able to digest milk properly.
Using the least-processed version of oatmeal will be beneficial as the nutritional value won’t be compromised as much as in highly-processed versions like instant oatmeal.
Always give the plain version of oatmeal to your dog without any other toppings or ingredients. Some sweetened versions may include xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
16. Cashews
Although cashews are rich in fiber, plant protein, healthy fats (unsaturated), and other minerals like magnesium, copper, and manganese, only one or two should be given to your golden retriever once in a while.
As they are high in fats, carbs, and calories, they can lead to weight gain over time if given in large quantities. A high-fat diet also poses the risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in dogs.
Make sure cashew nuts aren’t mixed with any other nuts and are plain without any salt or seasonings. Salted cashews can also lead to salt toxicity, and your dog may show symptoms like diarrhea, weakness, seizures, and vomiting.
Plain, unsalted, and roasted cashew nuts will be the right option for your golden retriever.
17. Honey
Golden retrievers can eat honey in small quantities and occasionally, but remember that it’s high in sugar and carbs and contains only small amounts of zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Too much honey can lead to obesity and other related health problems. It must not be given to your dog if they are obese or diabetic.
In addition to eating honey, it may be beneficial in healing your dog’s wounds with topical application.
This study shows that both honey and povidone iodine healed the wounds of dogs well within the same period (28 days). In fact, sidr honey had a more beneficial effect on healthy dogs on second-intention healing of full-thickness contaminated wounds.
18. Portobello Mushrooms
Golden retrievers can eat plain portobello mushrooms bought from grocery stores as they are safe.
Make sure mushrooms don’t contain any seasonings, oils, added sugar, butter, or even ingredients toxic to dogs, like onions and garlic.
If you’re hiking in the wild or simply taking a stroll in the park with your golden retriever and you see your dog eating a mushroom, you must immediately take them to a vet or emergency vet hospital.
As all wild mushrooms are toxic to dogs and can cause mushroom poisoning, immediate vet care will be required to help them quickly feel better.
19. Shrimp
Golden retrievers can eat a few shrimp occasionally as they are safe for them.
In addition to being low in calories and high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, they also provide a variety of minerals like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and magnesium.
Never feed raw shrimp to your dog, as they may be exposed to harmful bacteria, which can cause bacterial infections.
Always remove the head, legs, and tail along with the shell to avoid obstructions.
Rather than frying shrimp, you should steam them without any seasonings or other ingredients because this way, you won’t be feeding them oil and extra calories.
20. Coconut
Golden retrievers can eat coconut meat (white flesh). However, you need to take some notes just as you would for feeding any other human food to your dog.
Coconut meat and tender coconut water are antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-parasitic. All this can be beneficial for your dog’s well-being.
Keep in mind that coconut meat is high in fat and calories, so it should be only fed in moderation from time to time to avoid weight gain.
You must also remove the shell, which can get stuck in your dog’s throat. Only feed the coconut flesh and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Coconut meat is also an excellent source of essential minerals like copper and manganese, selenium, and phosphorus and a good source of protein.
Feeding coconut oil to your golden retriever may not be in their best interest as it’s high in fat and calories.
Although coconut oil isn’t toxic to dogs, it can cause digestive issues if given in large quantities. Never give a dog with pancreatitis coconut oil, as it can exacerbate the condition.
However, topical coconut oil can benefit your golden retriever’s skin and coat.
In fact, a study showed that virgin coconut oil soap was highly effective for dogs with mange (skin disease caused by parasitic mites).
How to Safely Feed Human Food to Golden Retrievers?
Some of the safe human foods we just discussed may be the best human food for dogs. However, they should still be given with some precautions, which we’ll discuss below.
Always Consult With Your Vet First
While the human foods that we discussed are generally safe for dogs, every dog can react differently to each one of them.
Before introducing any new human food into your golden retriever’s diet, it’s crucial to consult with your vet.
Your vet will take into account your canine’s health history, current health condition, dietary requirements, and age and will best guide you.
This will save you from a lot of unnecessary stress and escalated vet bills down the road!
Give In Moderation
Remember that human foods should be considered treats for your golden retrievers while being fed well-balanced dog food.
AKC recommends that treats shouldn’t comprise more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
Start Slowly
Although your vet will guide you once they approve of the human food to feed your golden retriever, you should know that starting slow with any human food will ensure your dog’s well-being.
For example, if you‘re about to feed green beans to your golden retriever, just give them one or two small bites and see how they react to it.
This way, even if they have an adverse reaction like allergies or an upset stomach to green beans, it won’t be significant, and you can quickly help them feel better after talking to your vet.
Cook All Meats (the right way)
Feeding raw meats to your golden retriever can put them at a high risk of bacterial infection.
When cooking any meat, such as turkey, chicken, lean beef, or lamb, make sure it is plain and unseasoned.
Cooking meat without oil, such as grilling, baking, steaming, or boiling, will keep the fat content and calories low.
Don’t forget to remove bones from the meat as you don’t want to cause obstruction in their throat or digestive system or cause any internal injuries.
Beware of Dairy Products
If your golden retriever is allergic or sensitive to dairy or is lactose-intolerant, don’t give them even a bite or sip of any dairy product, as it can cause adverse reactions like bloating, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
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Even if they can safely eat dairy products, give them in moderation due to their high sugar content.
Cook Vegetables
Although veggies like green beans and carrots can be fed raw, you must still properly wash them as you would for yourself to remove any bacteria.
Usually, cooking vegetables, such as steaming or boiling them, makes it easier for your dog to chew and digest.
Don’t forget to cut them into bite-sized chunks!
Don’t Compromise on a Well-Balanced Diet
Safe human foods for golden retrievers indeed provide some essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
However, that doesn’t mean that you stop feeding proper and well-balanced dog meals, as this can be bad for their health.
Make sure you’re feeding the best food for golden retriever puppy or adult dog in the right quantities after consulting your vet.
Recommended Reading: When Should My Golden Retriever Puppy Switch To Adult Food?
As we talked before, human foods should only be given as a treat to your golden retriever!
Which Human Foods Are Toxic for Golden Retrievers?
Some human foods can be toxic for dogs, and they can cause severe illness or be fatal in worst-case scenarios.
Here is a quick list of golden retriever foods to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Black walnuts
- Blue cheese
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, etc.)
- Chives
- Chocolate
- Currants
- Excessive salt
- Excessive sugar
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Leeks
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy foods (e.g., moldy dairy products, bread, or nuts)
- Nutmeg
- Onions
- Raisins
- Raw meat or eggs
- Raw potatoes
- Rhubarb leaves
- Shallots
- Star fruit or carambola
- Sultanas
- Uncooked yeast dough
- Unripe (green) tomatoes
- Wild mushrooms
- Xylitol
If you think your dog has consumed anything toxic, quickly call the ASPCA animal poison control center or take them to an emergency vet hospital, as it can make a difference between life and death.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can we give banana to golden retriever?
You can give bananas to your golden retriever in moderation as they’re high in sugar and can cause an upset stomach. Bananas are a great source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Make sure to cut them into small pieces and remove the peel before feeding.
2. Can golden retriever eat roti?
Golden retrievers can eat (cooked) roti (traditional Indian subcontinent flatbread) if they are not allergic to wheat. Since it is packed with carbs and doesn’t provide nutrients not already in your dog’s nutritious diet, it can still be given in moderation and occasionally.
3. Can golden retrievers eat fried chicken?
Golden retrievers can’t and shouldn’t eat fried chicken. It’s not only deep fried, which causes it to be high in fats and puts your dogs at risk of developing pancreatitis and obesity, but it also contains seasonings like salt and onion or garlic powder, which are toxic to dogs.
Conclusion
Human foods safe for golden retrievers to eat include unsalted peanut butter, plain popcorn, cooked chicken, turkey, lean beef, and lamb, quinoa, honey, corn, green beans, and cashew nuts. They must be given in moderation only and once in a while after consulting with your vet.
Some fruits can be toxic to golden retrievers, so you must be careful. We highly recommend reading this article next – What Fruits Can Golden Retrievers Not Eat?