Can dogs eat human food? Some of it, yes. Plenty of the plain foods in your kitchen make good treats, but a handful of everyday foods can poison a dog, and your dog doesn’t know the difference. It’s your job to protect him from the foods that might harm him. This page is the starting point for our “can dogs eat” guides: the foods to never feed, then nine food-group guides with a safety verdict for each food.
Our quick take
Most plain, cooked, unseasoned meat, fish, eggs, rice and many fruits and vegetables are fine for dogs in small amounts. Grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol, onions and garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine and raw yeast dough are not, even in small amounts. Keep treats, people food included, to no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet, and call your vet if your dog eats something on the “never” list.
Foods dogs should never eat
Some dangerous foods, like chocolate, are well known. Others are a surprise. These are the ones to keep out of reach in any amount. Each link goes to the full explanation in our food guides.
- Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants. They can cause sudden kidney failure, and there is no known safe amount. Fruits to never feed · raisin bread · grape juice
- Chocolate and cocoa. Theobromine and caffeine can cause vomiting, a racing heart, tremors and seizures. The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. Chocolate · Nutella · Oreos
- Xylitol. This sweetener, found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods and some peanut butters, can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage. Sugar-free candy and gum · peanut butter
- Onions, garlic, leeks and chives. Raw, cooked, dried or powdered, they damage red blood cells and can lead to anemia. Watch for them in sauces, soups, pizza and seasoned meat. Onions · garlic · onion and garlic powder
- Macadamia nuts and black walnuts. Macadamias can cause weakness, tremors and overheating; moldy nuts can cause seizures. Macadamia nuts · black walnuts
- Alcohol. Beer, wine, liquor and even vanilla extract. Alcohol is absorbed fast and can cause vomiting, poor coordination, coma and death. Beer, wine and liquor · vanilla extract
- Caffeine. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, coffee grounds and pods. Coffee · tea · energy drinks
- Raw yeast dough. It rises in the stomach and produces alcohol as it ferments. Raw bread and pizza dough
- Cooked bones and rib bones. They splinter, break teeth and can block or puncture the gut. Rib bones
- Raw meat, fish and eggs. They can carry Salmonella, E. coli and other germs, and raw salmon can cause salmon poisoning disease. Raw beef · raw chicken · salmon
- Fruit pits, avocado pits and skins, and citrus peel. Cherry, peach, plum and mango pits can choke a dog or block the gut, and lemon and grapefruit peel is toxic. Avocados · lemons · grapefruit
- Nutmeg and large amounts of salt. Nutmeg contains myristicin, and too much salt can cause salt poisoning. Nutmeg · salt
- Wild mushrooms and moldy food. Some wild mushrooms are deadly, and moldy cheese, bread or nuts can cause tremors and seizures. Mushrooms · moldy dairy
If your dog eats something on this list, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a consultation fee may apply). Don’t wait for signs to appear, and don’t try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can dogs eat it? Our 9 food guides
Each guide starts with a quick chart (Safe, In moderation, Avoid or Toxic) and then explains every food: why, how to serve it, how much, and when to call the vet.
Fruit
Most fruit is fine in small amounts with the pits, seeds, peel and rind removed. Fruit is high in natural sugar, so keep portions small. Examples: apples (safe, no core or seeds), banana (safe), watermelon (safe, seedless, no rind), strawberries (safe) and avocados (avoid).
See all 28 fruits: which fruits can dogs eat?
Vegetables
Dogs are omnivores that lean toward meat, but many plain vegetables make good low-calorie treats. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are easier to digest cooked. Examples: carrots (safe), cucumbers (safe), pumpkin (safe, plain), potatoes (cooked and plain only) and onions (toxic).
See all 29 vegetables: which vegetables can dogs eat?
Meat, fish and eggs
Dogs prefer meat, and plain, fully cooked, boneless meat, fish and eggs make good treats. Skip the skin, fat trimmings, gravy and seasoning, and processed meats like bacon, ham and hot dogs. Examples: chicken (safe, cooked), turkey (safe, no skin or bones), eggs (safe, cooked), shrimp (safe, cooked and peeled) and rib bones (avoid).
See the full guide: can dogs eat meat, fish and eggs?
Bread, rice, pasta and grains
Plain cooked grains are safe for most dogs. The trouble comes from what is added (garlic, raisins, sugar, salt) and from raw dough. Examples: rice (safe), oatmeal (safe, plain), bread (in moderation), pasta (in moderation, no sauce) and garlic bread (toxic).
See the full guide: can dogs eat bread, rice, pasta and grains?
Sweets and snacks
Mostly a no. Sugar isn’t poisonous, but cake, candy and cookies are loaded with sugar and fat, and some contain chocolate, xylitol, raisins or nutmeg. Examples: popcorn (plain and air-popped only), honey (in moderation for healthy adults; no raw honey for puppies), cake (avoid), marshmallows (avoid) and chocolate (toxic).
See the full guide: can dogs eat sweets and snacks?
Nuts and seeds
A few are fine in small amounts, but most nuts are high in fat, hard to digest and a choking risk for small dogs. Examples: peanut butter (in moderation, xylitol-free only), peanuts (plain and unsalted), almonds (avoid), walnuts (avoid) and macadamia nuts (toxic).
See the full guide: can dogs eat nuts and seeds?
Dairy
Dairy isn’t poisonous, but many adult dogs don’t digest lactose well, so keep it to small amounts and stop if your dog gets an upset stomach. Examples: cheese (in moderation), yogurt (plain, no xylitol), milk (a few tablespoons at most), ice cream (avoid) and blue cheese (toxic).
See the full guide: can dogs eat dairy?
Spices and condiments
Dogs don’t need seasoning, and several common ones are dangerous. Examples: ginger (in moderation), cinnamon (small amounts only), ketchup (avoid), garlic (toxic) and nutmeg (toxic).
See the full guide: can dogs eat spices and condiments?
Drinks
Fresh, clean water is the only drink a healthy dog needs. Examples: water (safe), plain broth (in moderation, no onion or garlic), coconut water (in moderation), Gatorade (avoid) and coffee (toxic).
See the full guide: what can dogs drink besides water?
- Keep it small. Treats, including people food, should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. The rest should come from a complete and balanced dog food.
- Keep it plain. Cooked, unseasoned and boneless. Butter, oil, salt, sauces, onion and garlic cause more problems than the food itself.
- Start with a little. Try one new food at a time and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or itching over the next day.
- Cut it to size. Bite-size pieces lower the risk of choking, especially for small dogs.
- Ask your vet first if your dog has diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatitis, food allergies or a sensitive stomach, or is on a prescription diet.
When it comes to feeding your dog people food, the best rule of thumb is “better safe than sorry”. Unless you are sure a food is safe for your dog, don’t risk it. If you have questions about a particular food, ask your veterinarian.
Bonus Topic: Toxic Plants
Dogs have a reputation for being curious and nosing around in places they shouldn’t. In addition to their regular dog food, they’ll eagerly investigate and consume whatever they find, whether it’s litter on the street or freshly planted flower bulbs in your garden.
While some of the things they encounter might be unappetizing, others can pose a real threat. Indeed, there are numerous plants that are toxic to dogs and can be harmful to your furry companion.
Enhancing your home decor with a touch of greenery can be a lovely addition, and houseplants also contribute to air purification. However, if you share your living space with pets, it’s crucial to exercise caution when selecting plants.
Not every plant is safe for your pets. In fact, there are a considerable number of plants that are harmful to dogs and cats, potentially leading to severe, and in some cases, fatal health issues. Some of these toxic plants may only cause irritation, while others can result in kidney failure and even loss of life.
It’s advisable to prioritize your pets’ well-being and steer clear of potentially hazardous plants in their vicinity. Take a look at the infographic above to identify and avoid these commonly found plants that are harmful to both cats and dogs.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- American Kennel Club: Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
- American Kennel Club: How Many Treats Can a Dog Have?
- Each of the nine food guides above lists the veterinary sources (ASPCA, AKC, Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA, PetMD and others) used for its verdicts.
