Human foods your Lhasa Apso can (and can’t) eat

One of the great joys of living with Poppy is watching her transform into an entirely different creature the moment you’re eating something. The eyes dilate. The ears perk. Every atom of her being becomes focused on the simple question: is there any possibility that you might share this with me? The answer, frequently, is no. But she asks anyway.

Lhasas, like most dogs, would eat absolutely everything you put in front of them and then ask for more. If you’re not careful about what you’re sharing, you’ll find yourself with a very sick small dog and considerable regret. So let’s talk about which human foods are actually safe for your Lhasa, which are absolutely not, and why portion size matters for a breed that’s roughly the size of a furry potato.

The Safe Foods Your Lhasa Can Enjoy

The good news is that there are quite a few human foods that are genuinely safe for Lhasas. Sharing the occasional bit of these foods won’t cause any harm, and your Lhasa will absolutely behave as though you’ve just given them the Crown Jewels.

• Chicken: Plain, cooked chicken is brilliant for Lhasas. No skin, no bones, no seasoning. It’s high in protein and they’ll go absolutely mental for it. This is a genuinely good training treat option.
• Carrots: Raw or cooked, carrots are safe and actually quite good for them. They’re low in calories and quite healthy. Raw carrots can also help clean their teeth a bit, which matters given how prone Lhasas are to dental issues.
• Blueberries: These little antioxidant bombs are safe and relatively healthy. They’re small enough that you can give them one or two as treats. Your Lhasa will be adorably confused about this gift.
• Rice: Plain, cooked rice is safe and often quite helpful if your Lhasa has a dodgy tummy. It’s bland, it’s filling, and it won’t cause any problems.
• Sweet potato: Cooked and plain, sweet potato is nutritious and safe. Many quality dog foods contain sweet potato, which gives you an idea of how safe it is.
• Pumpkin: Plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling) is safe and often helps with digestive issues. It’s a bit of a miracle worker for minor tummy troubles.
• Apples: Small pieces of apple, seeds removed, are safe. Most fruits are safe for Lhasas in moderation, though you need to be careful about portion sizes.
• Watermelon: Seedless watermelon in tiny pieces is safe and actually quite hydrating on hot days.
• Green beans: Cooked or raw, green beans are safe and quite low in calories. Most vegetables are perfectly fine for your Lhasa, which is good news for when you’re eating your greens.
• Eggs: Cooked eggs are safe and full of protein. Your Lhasa won’t mind helping you finish them.
• Plain yogurt: In small amounts, plain yogurt is safe and might contain helpful probiotics. Not the flavoured stuff, though. The sugar content in those is too high.

The key with all of these foods is moderation. We’re talking tiny portions. Your Lhasa is small. A piece of apple the size of a pea is perfect. A carrot stick the size of your pinky finger. One blueberry. These are treats, not meals.

The Dangerous Foods You Must Avoid

Right. Here’s where we need to be absolutely serious. These foods are genuinely toxic to dogs, and Lhasas are small enough that even a little bit can cause real problems.

• Chocolate: This is the big one. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are far worse than milk chocolate, but all of it is dangerous. Chocolate can cause serious illness in your Lhasa, and it’s a common reason for emergency vet visits. Just don’t do it.
• Grapes and raisins: These are genuinely toxic to dogs, and the scary bit is that we don’t entirely understand why. Some dogs seem to tolerate them fine, but some have severe reactions including kidney failure. The risk isn’t worth it. Avoid them completely.
• Onions and garlic: Both of these contain compounds that damage dogs’ red blood cells. They’re in the same family of plants and both cause anemia in dogs. This includes cooked onions and garlic, so be careful with foods that contain them.
• Xylitol: This is a sugar substitute found in many sugar-free foods, including some peanut butters, sugar-free baked goods, and sweets. It causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar and can cause liver damage. It’s absolutely deadly to dogs in small amounts. Check labels carefully.
• Macadamia nuts: These are specifically toxic to dogs. Even a few can cause poisoning. If your Lhasa eats macadamia nuts, contact your vet immediately.
• Avocado: The flesh is relatively safe in small amounts, but the pit and skin contain persin, which is toxic. The high fat content is also problematic for dogs. Just avoid it entirely.
• Fatty foods: Bacon, fatty cuts of meat, and other high-fat foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs. This is painful and serious. Skip the fatty bits.
• Bones: Cooked bones splinter and cause internal damage. Raw bones are safer, but they’re a choking hazard and a serious risk. Don’t give your Lhasa bones.
• Salt: High salt content is bad for dogs. Salty snacks like crisps and processed foods are a no-go.
• Alcohol: Even small amounts are dangerous for dogs. This includes foods that contain alcohol like rum-soaked cakes. Just don’t.
• Caffeine: Tea, coffee, and cola are all problematic. That includes the theobromine in chocolate again.
• Cooked meat with seasoning: The seasoning is often the problem. Garlic, onion, salt, excess fat. Stick to plain cooked meat only.

Portion Sizes for Small Breeds

This is crucial, and it’s where many people make mistakes. Your Lhasa weighs somewhere between 4-7kg. Their stomach is tiny. What seems like a reasonable portion to a human is absolutely enormous to your dog.

As a general rule, treats (including human foods given as treats) should make up no more than 10 per cent of your dog’s daily calorie intake. For a typical Lhasa eating about 400-500 calories per day, that means treats should total roughly 40-50 calories. That’s not much. That’s one small piece of chicken. That’s half a carrot stick. That’s two blueberries.

If you’re giving your Lhasa a treat, it means you’re not giving them their full portion of regular dog food. Treats replace food, they don’t add to it. Many Lhasas become overweight because their humans don’t account for treat calories, and obesity in small breeds creates serious health problems.

Signs of Food Poisoning

If your Lhasa has eaten something they shouldn’t have, watch for these signs:

• Vomiting or repeated retching
• Diarrhoea or unusual stools
• Lethargy or unusual tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain (they’ll seem uncomfortable or be lying in unusual positions)
• Drooling excessively
• Trembling or shaking
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Collapse

Some of these signs appear within hours, but some take longer. If your Lhasa ate grapes, for example, symptoms might not appear for days. Watch them carefully for the next week.

When to Call the Vet

If your Lhasa has eaten something toxic, contact your vet immediately. Don’t wait to see if they develop symptoms. Some poisons are treatable if addressed quickly, but once symptoms appear, it’s often too late. Be honest about what your dog ate and how much.

If your Lhasa shows any of the poisoning signs above, get them to the vet. This is not a wait-and-see situation. Pancreatitis from fatty foods can be life-threatening. Kidney damage from grapes can be fatal. Liver damage from xylitol can be catastrophic. When in doubt, go to the vet.

Around holidays like Easter, be particularly careful. Chocolate, grapes, and macadamia nuts are common Easter gifts and treats. Keep them completely away from your Lhasa.

The Simple Rule

If you’re uncertain whether something is safe, don’t give it to your Lhasa. Your dog won’t starve if they don’t get human food treats. They’re perfectly happy with their regular dog food and the occasional approved treat. The slight disappointment when you eat something they can’t have is absolutely worth keeping them safe.

Poppy has made peace with the fact that not everything we eat is available to her. She still asks with those big hopeful eyes. But she’s never had chocolate, grapes, or onions, and she’s thriving. Your Lhasa will too, if you’re careful about what you allow them to eat. A healthy, thriving Lhasa is worth far more than a momentary treat shared off your plate.