Can My Dog Eat This? A List of Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat

Quick look

Safe fruits and veggies

Apples: Yes

Sliced apples are safe and healthy for dogs to eat. Apples provide a significant amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also high in fiber, which may benefit your dog’s digestive system.

Never feed your dog apple seeds, as they contain cyanide, a chemical that can be poisonous in large amounts. Always remove the seeds before feeding apples to your dog!

Bananas: Yes

Dogs can eat bananas in moderation. Bananas are high in fiber and many vitamins and minerals. Some people also claim that bananas help relieve nausea in dogs, but this has not been proven by scientific evidence.

You can mix some mashed banana with your dog’s regular food or feed him a slice or two as an occasional treat.

Blackberries: Yes

Fresh or frozen blackberries are a healthy treat for dogs. They’re low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also a great source of fiber.

If your dog enjoys blackberries, you can feed him a few as a treat.

Blueberries: Yes

Blueberries are safe and nutritious for dogs to eat. They’re a rich source of disease-fighting antioxidants and provide a significant amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all of which may benefit your dog’s health.

Blueberries are also low in calories and small in size, making them a good health-conscious treat for your dog.

Broccoli: Yes

Dogs can eat raw or cooked broccoli in moderation. Broccoli is a low calorie, nutrient-rich vegetable, making it a very healthy snack for your dog.

However, broccoli contains isothiocyanates, which are compounds that may irritate your dog’s digestive system if he eats too much. Only feed broccoli to your dog as an occasional snack.

Carrots: Yes

Both raw and cooked carrots are safe for your dog to eat. Carrots are low in calories and a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Before feeding carrots to your dog, make sure to cut them into bite-size pieces to prevent choking.

Celery: Yes

In small amounts, celery is a health-conscious treat for dogs. It’s low in calories and an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals.

Before feeding your dog celery, cut it into bite-size pieces to prevent choking and make it easier to digest.

Coconut: Yes

Coconut is safe for most dogs to consume. Additionally, feeding coconut meat or coconut oil to dogs as an occasional treat has been anecdotally claimed to benefit their skin and fur.

It’s important to note that coconut oil is high in fat and calories, so it’s best to feed it to dogs in moderation to avoid weight gain and stomach upset. Depending on your dog’s size, 1/4 tsp to 1 tbsp a day is an appropriate serving size.

Corn: Yes

Dogs can eat corn in moderate amounts. Corn contains some vitamins and minerals and is a common ingredient in many types of dog food. It can be fed in small amounts as an occasional treat.

Cooked corn kernels are safe for dogs, but you should never feed your dog corn on the cob. The cob is a choking hazard and could lead to intestinal obstruction if consumed. They also should not consume any butter.

Green Peas: Yes

Green peas are a common ingredient in many types of dog food. Dogs usually find them tasty, and peas are low in calories and high in many nutrients.

Only feed your dog fresh or frozen peas, not canned ones. Canned peas are often loaded with salt, which is harmful to dogs in large amounts.

Mango: Yes

Mangoes are healthy for dogs in small amounts, as they provide several vitamins and minerals, in addition to lots of fiber.

Before you feed your dog mangoes, make sure to peel them, as the skin can be hard to digest, and remove the pit to prevent choking.

Mushrooms: Yes

Store-bought mushrooms, such as portobello mushrooms, are safe for dogs to eat in moderation. But not if they’ve been combined with extra ingredients, such as garlic and onions, as these ingredients may have adverse effects on dogs.

NOTE: Some wild mushrooms are toxic to your dog and may cause mushroom poisoning. Don’t let your dog eat mushrooms when out hiking, etc.

Oranges: Yes

Dogs can eat oranges in small quantities. They can be a high nutrient, low calorie treat.

However, oranges have been reported to cause upset stomach in some dogs, so only feed them in moderation.

Pineapple: Yes

Fresh pineapple is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making it an excellent nutrient-dense snack for your dog.

Dogs may experience symptoms like nausea and diarrhea if they eat too much pineapple. So, only feed a small amount of pineapple at a time.

Potatoes: Yes

Dogs can eat cooked, plain potatoes, not raw ones. Raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to dogs. Cooking potatoes reduces their solanine levels.

Potatoes should only be fed to dogs in small amounts, as their high carbohydrate content may cause dogs to gain weight if they eat them in large quantities.

Strawberries: Yes

Your dog can safely eat strawberries in moderation. Strawberries can make a treat that is low in calories but high in nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.

Before feeding your dog strawberries, make sure to wash them properly and cut them into small pieces to prevent choking.

Sweet potatoes: Yes

Sweet potatoes are a safe and healthy food for dogs to eat in moderate amounts. They’re easy for dogs to digest and rich in vitamin A, which is important for your dog’s eye health and immune system.

You can add a few sweet potatoes to your dog’s regular food or feed them as an occasional treat.

Keep in mind that too much vitamin A can lead to bone problems and muscle weakness in dogs. So, avoid feeding your dog excessive amounts of sweet potatoes.

Watermelon: Yes

Watermelon is safe for dogs to eat, as long as it doesn’t contain the rind or seeds. The rinds and seeds could be a choking hazard, and some dogs may experience digestive problems.

The fruit on its own is a healthy treat for dogs, as it is low in calories and packed with nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin C.

Tomatoes: Limit

It’s OK to feed your dog tomatoes as an occasional treat, as long as they’re ripe.

Green tomatoes, on the other hand, may contain small amounts of tomatine, a toxic glycoalkaloid. While green tomatoes are not toxic to people, they may be harmful to dogs.

Dogs that consume too much tomatine from tomatoes may experience stomach upset, an abnormal heart rate, muscle weakness, and difficulty breathing.

Unsafe safe fruits and veggies

Avocado: No

Avocados should never be consumed by dogs. Avocados contain a toxin called persin, which is highly poisonous to dogs. It may lead to fluid accumulation in their lungs and chest, which can cause breathing difficulties, oxygen deprivation, and even death. The pit is also a choking hazard.

Persin is found in all parts of the avocado, including the fruit, pit, leaves, and bark, so always keep avocados out of reach of your dog.

Cherries: No

Cherries are not recommended for dogs because cherry pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs when consumed in large amounts. They’re also a choking hazard.

Cherries may also cause upset stomach and diarrhea in dogs.

Garlic: No

You should never feed your dog garlic. Garlic is an allium and contains chemicals called thiosulfates, which are toxic to dogs. The same is also true of onions, chives, and leeks. Thiosulfates may damage your dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also lead to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

In severe cases, dogs may need a blood transfusion if they consume high amounts of garlic. So, avoid feeding garlic to your dog, even in small amounts.

Grapes and raisins: No

You should never feed grapes or raisins to your dog. Grapes and raisins contain toxic compounds that are harmful to dogs and have the potential to lead to rapid kidney failure and death.

Even small amounts of grapes and raisins can make your dog sick, so it’s important to avoid giving them to your dog altogether.

Lemons and limes: No

Lemons and limes can be toxic to your dog. The skins of lemons and limes contain a compound called psoralen, which can cause dogs to have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

If very large amounts of psoralen are consumed by dogs, more severe symptoms, such as muscle tremors, difficulty walking, liver failure, and death, can result.

Onions: No

You should never feed your dog onions. Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, which is toxic to dogs. It can damage your dog’s red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen through the body. This often results in anemia.

Anemia in dogs is characterized by a variety of symptoms, including lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, and fainting. In severe cases, dogs with anemia may need a blood transfusion.

All parts and forms of onions are toxic to dogs — even the leaves, juice, and processed powders, such as onion powder.

Meats

Beef: Yes

Lean beef is safe for dogs to eat and is a common ingredient in many dog foods. It’s an excellent source of protein and many important vitamins and minerals that your dog needs for overall health.

The beef that you feed to your dog should be plain, without any added sauces or seasonings. These often contain ingredients that may be harmful to your dog, such as salt.

Chicken: Yes

Cooked chicken is safe for most dogs to eat and is one of the most common ingredients used in dog foods. It’s an excellent source of protein, which your dog needs to stay healthy. You can feed your dog chicken on its own or combine it with their regular food.

Always remove chicken from the bone before feeding it to your dog. Chicken bones pose a choking hazard and may puncture their digestive tract. Avoid feeding your dog raw chicken to prevent a Salmonella infection.

Eggs: Yes

Cooked eggs are safe and nutritious for dogs to eat. One medium egg provides some of almost every vitamin and mineral, plus lots of protein. There are claims that eggs may also help relieve nausea in dogs, though there is no scientific evidence to support this.

Do not feed your dog raw eggs. Bacteria, such as Salmonella, can spread from dogs to their human owners, increasing their risk of infection.

Pork: Yes

Cooked pork without added spices, seasonings, or sauces is safe for dogs to eat. But never feed your dog raw or undercooked pork, as this can cause bacterial infection and make your dog sick.

Processed forms of pork, such as ham and bacon, should never be fed to dogs. They’re often extremely high in salt, which can be harmful.

Salmon: Yes

Cooked, boneless salmon is a safe and healthy food for your dog. It’s a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation and may help keep your dog’s skin and fur healthy and improve joint function.

Avoid feeding raw salmon to your dog, as it may contain a parasite known to cause salmon poisoning disease, which can be fatal.

Shrimp: Yes

You can feed plain, cooked shrimp to your dog. Shrimp is a healthy treat for dogs, as it’s an excellent source of protein and provides a significant amount of vitamins and minerals.

Avoid feeding your dog raw shrimp, as it may contain harmful bacteria that could make them sick. And always make sure to remove the shell from the shrimp to prevent your dog from choking.

Turkey: Yes

Most dogs are able to eat plain turkey without adverse effects. However, avoid giving your dog turkey that has been seasoned or stuffed to prevent them from eating potentially harmful ingredients, such as onions and garlic.

Additionally, your dog should only eat boneless, skinless turkey.

Dairy

Cheese: Limit

Cheese is safe for most dogs to eat in small quantities. But due to the fat and lactose content of cheese, some dogs may have digestive symptoms, such as stomach pain and diarrhea, after eating it.

Cottage cheese: Limit

Dogs can eat cottage cheese in small amounts. However, some dogs may experience digestive issues, such as nausea and diarrhea, after consuming cottage cheese.

Limit your dog’s cottage cheese intake to one small spoonful per day or less.

Milk: Limit

You should prevent your dog from drinking too much milk. Lactose intolerance is common in dogs and can cause loose stools, gas, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Some dogs are able to tolerate small quantities of milk as an occasional treat, but they should not drink more than a few tablespoons of milk, and it should not be a regular treat.

Nuts and grains

Almonds: Limit

It’s best to limit almonds in your dog’s diet. Although plain, unsalted almonds are generally safe for dogs to eat in small amounts, they are difficult for dogs to digest and may lead to vomiting and diarrhea.

Almonds are also high in fat and calories and have the potential to cause weight gain and pancreatitis in dogs.

Bread: Yes

Plain white or whole grain bread is safe for most dogs to eat as an occasional treat. Keep in mind that bread, along with other foods, adds extra calories to your dog’s diet and may cause weight gain if they eat too much.

Before feeding your dog bread, make sure it doesn’t contain any extra ingredients, such as raisins, which could be potentially harmful.

Cashews: Limit

Limit your dog’s intake of cashews to one or two cashews a day or less. Plain, unsalted, and roasted cashews are safe for most dogs to eat in moderation.

Remember that cashews are high in fat and calories and may lead to weight gain and pancreatitis when consumed in excess.

Peanuts: Limit

Plain, unsalted peanuts are safe for dogs to eat one or two of at a time. Similar to other nuts, peanuts are high in fat and may contribute to weight gain and pancreatitis if your dog eats too many of them.

Make sure there are no added ingredients, like salt, that could be harmful to dogs.

Peanut butter: Yes

Peanut butter is a healthy and safe treat for dogs to eat in moderate amounts, but it’s high in fat and calories, so it may lead to weight gain if they eat too much.

Make sure it’s plain, unsalted peanut butter. Peanut butter often contains additional ingredients added to it, such as salt, which can be harmful to your dog. If it contains xylitol, do not feed it. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.

Popcorn: Yes

Dogs can eat popcorn as an occasional treat, as long as it doesn’t contain any extra ingredients, such as salt, butter, or oil, which may lead to pancreatitis if overconsumed. It’s best to only feed your dog plain, air-popped popcorn.

Popcorn kernels are also a choking hazard and may get stuck in your dog’s teeth, so you should only provide your dog with fully popped kernels.

Macadamia nuts: No

Dogs should never eat macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin that may lead to vomiting, muscle weakness, tremors, hyperthermia, and depression when dogs consume them, even in small amounts.

Macadamia nuts are also high in fat, which may elevate your dog’s triglyceride levels and potentially lead to pancreatitis.

Oatmeal: Yes

Plain oatmeal is safe for your dog to eat. Oatmeal provides lots of fiber, as well as some vitamins and minerals. Do not feed your dog flavored oatmeal, as it may have extra ingredients added to it that could be harmful to your dog.

As with all foods, feed oatmeal to your dog in moderation to prevent weight gain.

Raw yeast dough: No

It is extremely unsafe for dogs to eat raw yeast dough. Yeast cells produce alcohol as they ferment, which may lead to alcohol poisoning and death if your dog consumes it.

It can also cause severe bloating as the dough expands in their stomachs, leading to difficulty breathing and weakness.

Rice: Yes

Dogs can eat plain and cooked brown or white rice. Rice is very easy for dogs to digest and may help relieve an upset stomach.

You can feed rice to your dog on its own or mix it with a little chicken or turkey for extra protein.

Spices and sweeteners

Chocolate: No

It is widely known that dogs should never eat chocolate. This is because chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs cannot efficiently metabolize. Holidays like Christmas and Easter pose an increased risk of dogs getting into chocolate.

Chocolate can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. These may lead to more serious complications, such as internal bleeding, muscle tremors, seizures, and death.

Darker and less sweet varieties of chocolate, such as cocoa powder and unsweetened baker’s chocolate, are more poisonous to dogs than sweetened varieties, such as milk chocolate.

Do not feed your dog any type of chocolate.

Cinnamon: Limit

Cinnamon isn’t toxic to dogs, but it should still be limited in your dog’s diet.

If dogs consume large amounts of cinnamon, it may irritate their mouths and digestive systems. Plus, if your dog inhales cinnamon powder, it may cause coughing, choking, and breathing difficulties.

Even foods that contain cinnamon as an ingredient, such as baked goods, may lead to adverse effects if your dog consumes too much.

Honey: Limit

You should only feed honey to your dog in small amounts. It has a high sugar and calorie content. Some dogs may have a sweet tooth and like it as a treat, but keep it very limited.

Nutmeg: No

Nutmeg is not safe for dogs to eat. It contains myristicin, a compound that’s toxic to dogs when consumed in large amounts. It may cause disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, stomach pain, and seizures.

Keep nutmeg out of your dog’s reach and prevent them from consuming baked goods and other foods that contain nutmeg.

Salt: Limit

Salt should be limited in your dog’s diet. Excessive salt intake may lead to salt poisoning or water deprivation in dogs, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. In severe cases, high amounts of salt can be fatal.

To prevent adverse effects, don’t feed your dog salty foods like chips or pretzels. And always make sure your dog has water to drink, which can prevent water deprivation.

Xylitol: No

Dogs should never eat xylitol. It’s a sugar substitute that’s often found in candy, chewing gum, baked goods, and toothpaste.

When dogs consume xylitol, it may lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels and symptoms like muscle weakness and seizures, with the potential to lead to more serious complications, such as liver damage and even death.

Beverages

Alcohol: No

Dogs should never consume alcohol. Consuming even small amounts of it may lead to ethanol poisoning in dogs. This causes fatigue, impaired coordination, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If a dog consumes too much alcohol, it can result in more severe symptoms, such as a heart attack, lung failure, coma, and even death.

Products that contain alcohol, such as alcoholic beverages, perfumes, mouthwash, antifreeze, paint solvent, and cleaning products, should always be kept away from your dog.

Coffee and tea: No

Coffee and tea are dangerous for dogs to consume due to their caffeine content.

Caffeine stimulates your dog’s nervous system, which can lead to a number of symptoms, including hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated heart rate, lung failure, seizures, and tremors.

Even small amounts of caffeine can cause adverse effects in dogs, so you should always keep coffee and tea out of your dog’s reach.

The Bottom Line

Some foods are safe and healthy for dogs to eat in small amounts, while others are harmful and could even be deadly.

Even if a food is deemed “safe” for dogs to eat, a rule of thumb is to feed it to your dog in moderation. This can help prevent weight gain and other negative effects.

And any new food should be introduced into your dog’s diet gradually, so you can monitor them for adverse effects like allergic reactions. All dogs are different. One dog may tolerate a food just fine, while another experiences adverse effects.

It can be enjoyable to give your dog a treat every once in a while. Just make sure to only feed them foods that are nontoxic to dogs.

If you have questions about specific serving sizes of foods to feed to your dog, ask your veterinarian.