“People Food”? Let’s Talk About It
“I would never feed people food to my dog.”
That’s what a new client told me last week as we stood in front of the freezers. She said it kindly but firmly, smiling with a little shake of the head as if I had just offered her dog a slice of birthday cake.
“I’ve just always heard it’s bad,” she added. “I don’t want to mess up his diet.”
And I understood. Because for decades, “people food” has been treated like a dirty word in the world of dogs. It conjures up images of pizza crusts, begging at the table, or upset tummies from sneaking scraps. But as we started talking more about what “people food” actually meant—real, whole foods like raw ground turkey, green beans, blueberries, and eggs—something shifted.
By the end of our conversation, she left with a carton of raw goat milk, a container of our single-protein raw turkey blend, and a new perspective. She even said, “I had no idea this was an option. I thought it was either kibble or chaos!”
Let’s rethink that bowl, shall we?
The “Table Food” Taboo
Most of us grew up hearing that feeding “people food” would spoil our dogs or teach them to beg. Some were warned it could make them sick—or even kill them.
And there’s truth behind that concern: some human foods are toxic to dogs (like grapes, onions, and dark chocolate).
But somewhere along the way, we stopped making the distinction between junk food and real food.
Fresh meat got grouped in with greasy pizza crusts. Blueberries were lumped together with bacon. And we forgot that before dog food came in a bag, people fed their dogs the same whole foods they ate themselves—meat, bones, veggies, and leftovers from the family meal.
Real Food Isn’t Scraps—It’s Smart
Let’s flip the script. What if your dog ate what you ate?
Imagine your dinner looks like this:
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Raw ground turkey
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Steamed broccoli and squash
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A drizzle of olive oil
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A few blueberries for dessert
That’s not a “scrap.” It’s a balanced, nourishing meal—packed with moisture, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog’s health and vitality.
Dogs are omnivores with a strong carnivorous preference. They’re built to eat meat, bones, organs, and yes—plants. When chosen carefully, “people food” is just whole food. And it often gives dogs a nutritional edge over dry, shelf-stable kibble.
What Kibble Is Missing
Let’s be honest—kibble is convenient. But convenience can come with trade-offs.
Kibble is often:
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Cooked at high temperatures, which destroys many natural enzymes and nutrients
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Low in moisture, which can contribute to chronic dehydration
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High in carbohydrates and fillers, even when labeled “grain-free”
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Fortified with synthetic vitamins because most natural ones are lost during processing
That doesn’t mean all kibble is bad—but it’s rarely as nourishing or complete as fresh, whole food.
A Quick History: Dog Food Is a Modern Invention
Most people don’t realize that feeding separate “dog food” is a fairly modern idea.
Before the early 1900s, dogs ate what their people ate—scraps, bones, raw meat, eggs, grains, milk, broth, and vegetables. Farm dogs and family companions alike shared meals with their humans.
The first commercial dog food appeared in 1860, when James Spratt introduced a biscuit made from wheat, vegetables, and beef blood in England. It was marketed to wealthy dog owners.
In the U.S., commercial dog food didn’t become widespread until the 1930s and 1940s. Even then, most dogs still ate table scraps and fresh food.
It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s, with the rise of TV and mass marketing, that kibble was promoted as “scientific” and superior to homemade diets.
Why the shift? Convenience and commercialization. Shelf-stable kibble was easy to mass-produce, store, and sell. Marketed as “complete and balanced,” it gradually replaced traditional feeding.
Dogs had thrived for centuries without packaged food. Feeding species-appropriate, real food isn’t new—it’s how we fed dogs long before marketing told us otherwise.
Food is Medicine
We instinctively make healthy choices when we shop for ourselves. We avoid ultra-processed foods, drink plenty of water, and read labels carefully. Why? Because food can heal—or harm.
The same is true for our dogs.
Real food supports the immune system, soothes inflammation, protects organs, strengthens joints, nourishes skin, and sharpens the mind. Whole foods like omega-rich fish, organ meats, leafy greens, berries, and fermented toppers act like natural supplements—because they are.
When you feed whole food, you’re not just filling the bowl. You’re actively supporting your dog’s long-term health.
But Isn’t It Dangerous?
That’s a smart question—and one worth addressing.
Yes, some human foods are unsafe for dogs. But with a little guidance, it’s easy to avoid the few dangerous ones—like onions, grapes, and chocolate—and focus on nourishing, species-appropriate ingredients dogs have eaten for generations.
Feeding your dog “people food” doesn’t mean handing over French fries. It means choosing clean, unprocessed, whole foods your dog’s body knows how to use.
Even Small Additions Make a Big Difference
You don’t have to switch completely to raw or cooked diets to see benefits. Adding just 20–30% fresh food to your dog’s bowl can lead to real improvements.
At A Place for Paws, we’ve seen:
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Shinier coats
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Better digestion
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Reduced itching and paw licking
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Happier mealtimes
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More energy and focus during training
Simple additions like these can make a big difference:
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A spoonful of raw or cooked meat
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A raw egg (with or without the shell)
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A splash of kefir or goat milk
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A few spoonfuls of puréed veggies
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Sardines or bone broth for an omega boost
Chances are, you already keep these foods in your fridge—for yourself.
What If You Shared a Meal?
Here’s a fun thought experiment: What if, just once a week, you made a meal both you and your dog could enjoy?
Grilled salmon, roasted sweet potatoes, and steamed green beans.
You plate yours with garlic and seasonings. Your dog’s portion is set aside before the spices go on.
Suddenly, it’s not about “feeding from the table.” It’s about sharing real nourishment—and including your dog in your healthy habits.
That kind of connection strengthens your bond and supports your dog’s well-being.
You Don’t Have to Go All In
You don’t have to switch to raw feeding overnight or cook every meal from scratch.
Start small:
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Add a fresh topper a few times a week
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Replace part of your dog’s kibble with whole food ingredients
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Stop by and try samples of our raw blends, bone broths, or fermented toppers
Small steps can lead to big changes.
Ready to Rethink the Bowl?
We believe every dog deserves a bowl filled with life-giving nutrition—not just shelf life.
If you’re curious about getting started, we’re here to help. Schedule a Rethink the Bowl consultation with our team at Paws on Main. We’ll guide you to the best whole food additions for your dog’s unique needs—whether you feed kibble, raw, or a mix of both.
And don’t worry—many of the foods we recommend might already be waiting in your fridge.
Let’s make feeding your dog feel just as good as feeding your family.