Food safety library
Can Dogs Eat ___?
A searchable A–Z library of 153 human foods rated safe, caution or toxic for dogs — with portion sizes, signs of trouble and what to do if your dog has eaten too much.
✅ Safe in moderation
Healthy treats your dog can enjoy as part of a balanced diet.
Apples
Yes — apples are safe and healthy in moderation. Remove core and seeds (cyanide).
Bananas
Yes — bananas are safe in small amounts. High in sugar so treat-only, not…
Basil
Yes — small amounts of fresh basil are safe and contain antioxidants.
Beef
Yes — lean cooked beef is safe and a complete protein.
Beets
Yes — small amounts of cooked plain beetroot are safe and nutritious.
Bell Peppers
Yes — sweet bell peppers are safe and nutritious. Skip spicy varieties.
Blackberries
Yes — fresh blackberries in moderation are a healthy treat.
Blueberries
Yes — one of the best fruit treats for dogs. Antioxidant powerhouse.
Brussels Sprouts
Yes — small amounts of cooked Brussels sprouts are safe. Expect gas.
Butternut Squash
Yes — plain cooked butternut squash is excellent. Like pumpkin, gentle on the gut.
Carrots
Yes — raw or cooked carrots are excellent for dogs. Low calorie, high crunch.
Cauliflower
Yes — plain cooked cauliflower is safe and a great low-calorie filler.
Celery
Yes — celery is a low-calorie, hydrating, breath-freshening crunch.
Chicken
Yes — plain cooked, boneless chicken is one of the best dog foods. Skip…
Coconut
Yes — small amounts of fresh coconut flesh or oil are safe.
Cod
Yes — plain cooked cod is a lean, hypoallergenic protein. Good for sensitive stomachs.
Cottage Cheese
Yes — plain low-fat cottage cheese is one of the safer dairy options. Often…
Cucumber
Yes — cucumber is one of the best low-calorie treats and great for hydration.
Duck
Yes — cooked, skinless, deboned duck is excellent. Common in hypoallergenic diets.
Eggs
Yes — cooked eggs (scrambled or boiled) are a complete protein. Avoid raw long-term.
Ginger
Yes — small amounts of fresh ginger are safe and may help with nausea…
Green Beans
Yes — green beans are one of the best dog-safe vegetables. Low calorie, filling.
Kiwi
Yes — peeled kiwi flesh in small amounts is safe and packed with vitamin…
Lamb
Yes — cooked, lean, plain lamb is excellent — often used in hypoallergenic diets.
Lettuce
Yes — plain lettuce is harmless. Mostly water and not very nutritious.
Mackerel
Yes — fresh or canned-in-water mackerel is one of the best omega-3 sources for…
Mango
Yes — ripe mango (no skin or pit) is a delicious occasional treat.
Melon (Cantaloupe)
Yes — cantaloupe and honeydew flesh are safe, hydrating treats.
Mussels
Yes — plain cooked, shell-free mussels are an excellent joint supplement.
Nori (Seaweed)
Yes — plain unsalted nori in small amounts is safe.
Oats
Yes — plain cooked oats are gentle, safe and good for sensitive stomachs.
Okra
Yes — small amounts of plain cooked okra are safe and high in fibre.
Olive Oil
Yes — small amounts of plain extra-virgin olive oil are safe and good for…
Papaya
Yes — ripe papaya flesh (no seeds or skin) is safe and great for…
Parsnip
Yes — plain cooked parsnip is safe and a tasty root vegetable.
Pears
Yes — ripe pears (without seeds or core) are safe and a great fibre…
Green Peas
Yes — peas (fresh, frozen, or thawed) are safe. Avoid canned (too much salt).
Pineapple
Yes — fresh pineapple in moderation. Skip the tough core and the skin.
Pumpkin
Yes — plain cooked pumpkin is one of the best foods for digestion.
Quinoa
Yes — plain cooked quinoa is safe and a complete protein.
Rice
Yes — plain cooked white rice is gentle, bland and great for upset stomachs.
Rosemary
Yes — small amounts of fresh rosemary are safe (and a common natural preservative…
Sardines
Yes — sardines (in water, no salt) are an excellent omega-3 source for dogs.
Shrimp
Yes — fully cooked, peeled, plain shrimp is safe in small amounts.
Strawberries
Yes — strawberries are safe in moderation. Naturally help whiten teeth (malic acid).
Sweet Potato
Yes — cooked sweet potato is safe and a great source of fibre.
Thyme
Yes — common cooking thyme in small amounts is safe. Spanish thyme is toxic.
Tofu
Yes — small amounts of plain cooked tofu are safe but offer little nutritional…
Turmeric
Yes — small amounts of pure turmeric powder are safe and may help joint…
Watermelon
Yes — watermelon is hydrating and safe. Just remove rind and seeds.
Zucchini
Yes — courgette/zucchini is one of the safest, lowest-calorie dog vegetables.
⚠️ With caution
Safe in small amounts but easy to overdo or fed wrong.
Anchovies
Tiny amounts of plain anchovies are nutritious. Salt-cured anchovies are too salty.
Apricot
Ripe apricot flesh is fine. The pit and stems contain cyanide.
Arugula / Rocket
Tiny amounts of fresh arugula are safe but the peppery taste rarely appeals.
Asparagus
Plain cooked asparagus is safe but tough to digest. Asparagus fern (the plant) is…
Bread
Plain cooked bread in tiny amounts is OK but largely empty calories. Raw dough…
Broccoli
Yes in small amounts — broccoli contains isothiocyanates that can cause GI upset in…
Butter
Tiny smear of butter is unlikely to harm. Larger amounts are pure fat →…
Cabbage
Small amounts of plain cooked cabbage are fine. Causes gas; raw can affect thyroid.
Cashews
A few plain unsalted cashews are not toxic but high in fat.
Cheddar Cheese
A small piece of mild cheddar is fine for most dogs. Easy to overdo.
Cheese
Yes, in tiny amounts — cheese is high in fat and many dogs are…
Cinnamon
Small sprinkles are not toxic. Large amounts irritate the mouth and can cause low…
Corn
Yes — plain cooked corn kernels are safe. The COB is a serious blockage…
Crab
Cooked, shell-free crab meat in small amounts is OK but high in iodine.
Cream Cheese
A pea-sized smear of plain cream cheese is fine — useful for hiding pills.
Dates
Plain pitted dates are not toxic but extremely sugary. Use only as rare reward.
Eggplant
Plain cooked eggplant is technically safe but contains solanine — better skipped.
Figs
Small amounts of fresh fig are fine. Fig leaves and dried figs have higher…
Honey
Tiny amounts of honey are safe for adult dogs. NOT for puppies (botulism risk).
Beef Jerky
Plain unseasoned dog-specific jerky is OK. Human jerky is far too salty.
Fruit Juice
Most juice is too sugary. A teaspoon of plain orange juice won't harm but…
Kale
Small amounts of cooked kale are fine. Larger amounts can affect thyroid and kidneys.
Ketchup
A tiny smear is unlikely to harm but it's salty, sugary and often has…
Lobster
Plain cooked, shell-free lobster meat in tiny amounts is OK. High in sodium.
Lychee
Ripe lychee flesh is safe in tiny amounts. Unripe and seed contain hypoglycin A…
Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup in tiny amounts is not toxic but pure sugar. Sugar-free varieties…
Mayonnaise
Tiny smear of plain mayo is not toxic. Pure fat with little benefit.
Milk
Most adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Tiny amounts are usually OK.
Mint
Plain peppermint or spearmint in small amounts is safe. Pennyroyal mint is highly toxic.
Mozzarella
A small piece of fresh mozzarella is OK. Lower in lactose than aged cheeses.
Mushrooms
Store-bought white/button/cremini mushrooms are safe. Wild mushrooms can be deadly.
Nectarine
Same as peaches — flesh safe, pit dangerous (cyanide + blockage).
Oranges
Yes in small amounts — orange flesh is safe but acidic and high in…
Parmesan
Tiny sprinkle is OK — aged parmesan is naturally low in lactose. Salt is…
Parsley
Curly parsley in tiny amounts freshens breath. Spring/Italian parsley should be avoided.
Pasta
Plain cooked pasta in small amounts is safe. Skip sauces (often contain garlic/onion).
Peaches
Yes — ripe peach flesh is fine. The pit is dangerous: choking + cyanide.
Peanut Butter
Yes — peanut butter is safe ONLY if it doesn't contain xylitol (sugar substitute…
Peanuts
Plain unsalted peanuts in tiny amounts are OK. Peanut butter (xylitol-free) is the safer…
Persimmon
Ripe persimmon flesh is OK; seeds and pit cause intestinal blockage.
Plums
Ripe plum flesh is OK. Pit, stem and leaves contain cyanide.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate seeds are technically safe but the high tannin content often causes vomiting.
Popcorn
Plain air-popped popcorn is OK in small amounts. No butter, no salt, no sweetcorn…
Pork
Plain cooked lean pork is safe. Avoid processed pork (ham, bacon, sausage).
Potato
Plain cooked potato (no skin, never raw or green) is safe in moderation.
Raspberries
Yes in small amounts — raspberries contain trace natural xylitol; large amounts could cause…
Raw Meat
Some dogs thrive on raw diets; bacterial and parasite risks need careful sourcing and…
Salmon
Yes — but only fully cooked. Raw Pacific salmon can carry a fatal parasite.
Spinach
Yes — small cooked amounts are fine. Avoid as a regular food (oxalates).
Sushi
Plain unseasoned cooked-fish sushi pieces are OK. Raw fish, soy sauce, wasabi: skip.
Tea
Plain decaffeinated tea (no milk, no sugar) is essentially safe but offers no benefit.…
Tomato
Ripe red tomato flesh is safe. Green tomato, leaves and stems contain solanine (toxic).
Tuna
Small amounts of plain tuna are OK. Long-term tuna feeding builds up mercury.
Turkey
Yes — plain cooked turkey breast is fine. Skip skin, bones, gravy and seasoning.
Yogurt
Yes — plain, unsweetened yogurt in small amounts. Greek yogurt is best (lower lactose).
❌ Do NOT feed
Toxic or dangerous foods. Call your vet if eaten.
Alcohol
NO — alcohol is highly toxic to dogs. Their liver cannot process it.
Almonds
NO — almonds are not toxic but choking, blockage and pancreatitis risk make them…
Aspirin
NO — aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding in dogs and is very…
Avocado
NO for dogs — avocado contains persin and the pit is a serious choking…
Bacon
NO — bacon is far too salty and fatty. A common pancreatitis trigger.
Beer
NO — alcohol in any form is highly toxic to dogs. Hops are also…
Brownies
NO — brownies are concentrated chocolate. Treat any ingestion as poisoning.
Caffeine
NO — caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate) is toxic to dogs.
Candy / Sweets
NO — most candy is pure sugar at best. Sugar-free varieties contain xylitol (deadly).
Cherries
NO — cherry pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide. The flesh is OK but…
Chocolate
NO — chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark/cooking chocolate is worst.
Chocolate Cake
NO — combines two pet poisons (chocolate + sugar) plus dairy, butter and often…
Cooked Bones
NO — cooked bones (any kind) splinter and can cause life-threatening internal damage.
Cookies
NO — typical cookies have chocolate, raisins, butter and sugar. Skip completely.
Donuts
NO — donuts combine fat, sugar and often chocolate or jam. Pancreatitis trigger.
Garlic
NO — garlic is 5× more toxic than onion. Avoid even "small amounts in…
Garlic Bread
NO — garlic is highly toxic to dogs and cats. Skip completely, even small…
Grapefruit
NO — citric acid and oils in grapefruit cause stomach upset and possible photosensitivity.
Grapes
NO — grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, even in…
Chewing Gum
NO — sugar-free gum almost always contains xylitol, one of the most lethal substances…
Ham
NO — ham is far too salty and fatty for dogs. Skip even small…
Hot Dogs
NO — hot dogs are highly processed, salty, fatty and choke-shaped. Skip completely.
Hummus
NO — almost all hummus contains garlic and lemon juice. Skip completely.
Ibuprofen
NEVER — ibuprofen (Nurofen, Advil, Motrin) is highly toxic to dogs and cats.
Ice Cream
NO — ice cream is high in dairy, sugar, sometimes xylitol or chocolate.
Jellybeans
NO — pure sugar bombs, sometimes containing xylitol. Choking risk too.
Lemon
NO — same psoralen and citric acid as limes. The smell alone repels most…
Lime
NO — limes contain psoralen and citric acid that cause vomiting and skin reactions.
Macadamia Nuts
NO — macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Cause weakness…
Marshmallows
NO — pure sugar, plus many sugar-free brands now contain xylitol (deadly).
Mustard
NO — mustard seeds and prepared mustard cause vomiting and gastritis.
Nutella
NO — Nutella contains cocoa and sugar. Toxic, even small amounts.
Onion
NO — onions (and garlic, leek, chives) damage red blood cells in dogs and…
Paracetamol
NEVER — paracetamol (acetaminophen, Tylenol, Panadol) destroys cat livers and damages dog livers.
Pepperoni
NO — extremely high in salt, fat and seasonings (paprika, garlic). Single slice can…
Pistachios
NO — high fat, salt, and shells are choking/blockage hazards.
Pizza
NO — typical pizza has onion, garlic, lots of cheese, salt and fat. Plain…
Prunes
NO — prunes are dried plums and are concentrated sugar. The pit is also…
Raisins
NO — raisins are concentrated grapes. Highly toxic and can cause kidney failure.
Salami
NO — salami is among the saltiest cured meats. Garlic is also a common…
Salsa
NO — salsa contains onion, garlic and often spicy peppers. Multiple toxins in one.
Sausage
NO — sausages are too high in fat, salt and seasonings (often onion, garlic)…
Soda / Fizzy Drinks
NO — sugar, caffeine, sometimes xylitol. No version is safe for dogs.
Soy Sauce
NO — extremely high in sodium. Toxic dose can be reached easily in small…
Walnuts
NO — walnuts (especially older or mouldy) carry tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause seizures.
Wine
NO — alcohol toxicity, plus grape-derived (kidney failure risk).
Xylitol
NO — xylitol (sugar substitute) is one of the deadliest toxins for dogs. Found…