"Can my dog eat this?" might be the most Googled pet question on the internet — and for good reason. Some human foods are perfectly safe for dogs. Others can cause vomiting, organ damage, or worse. The tricky part is that the line between safe and dangerous isn't always intuitive.
Here's a straightforward guide to the most commonly searched foods, organized by safety. Bookmark it for the next time your dog gives you those eyes while you're cooking.
Safe to Share
These foods are generally safe for healthy adult dogs in moderate amounts.
Fruits
- Blueberries — Packed with antioxidants. Great as training treats.
- Strawberries — Safe and nutritious. Remove the stem. High in sugar, so keep portions small.
- Bananas — Safe in moderation. High in potassium and sugar. A few slices, not a whole banana.
- Watermelon — Excellent hydrating treat, especially in summer. Remove seeds and rind.
- Apples — Remove seeds and core (seeds contain trace cyanide). Great for dental health.
Vegetables
- Carrots — Excellent low-calorie treat. Raw or cooked. Good for teeth.
- Green beans — Safe raw, steamed, or canned (low-sodium). A good diet-friendly snack.
- Sweet potatoes — Cooked and plain, these are nutritious. Never raw.
- Pumpkin — Cooked or canned (plain, not pie filling). Excellent for digestive health.
Other
- Plain cooked chicken — Lean protein. No seasoning, no bones, no skin.
- Plain rice — A go-to for upset stomachs. White rice is easier to digest.
- Peanut butter — Check the label: it must NOT contain xylitol (birch sugar), which is lethal to dogs.
- Cheese — Safe for most dogs in small amounts. Some dogs are lactose intolerant.
- Eggs — Fully cooked eggs are a great protein source. No seasoning.
Caution — Small Amounts Only
- Bread — Plain white or wheat bread is fine in small pieces. No raisins, no garlic bread, no raw dough.
- Tomatoes — Ripe tomato flesh is safe. Green tomatoes, stems, and leaves contain solanine, which is toxic.
- Corn — Kernels are fine. Never give a dog a corn cob — it's a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage.
- Honey — Safe in very small amounts. High in sugar.
Never Feed Your Dog These Foods
- Grapes and raisins — Even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure. Zero tolerance.
- Chocolate — Contains theobromine. Dark and baking chocolate are most dangerous.
- Onions, garlic, leeks, chives — All allium family members damage red blood cells. All forms are toxic.
- Xylitol (birch sugar) — Found in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters. Causes rapid insulin release and liver failure. Even small amounts can be fatal.
- Avocado — The flesh contains persin. The pit is a choking hazard.
- Macadamia nuts — Cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia.
- Alcohol — Even small amounts cause intoxication, difficulty breathing, and potentially coma.
- Cooked bones — Splinter and can puncture the digestive tract.
If your dog eats something toxic: Call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 and head to the emergency vet.
When in doubt, don't share it. Your dog's regular diet provides everything they need. Human food should never exceed 10% of daily calories.
If you're interested in supplementing your dog's diet with whole foods, our homemade dog food recipes are vet-reviewed and designed to be nutritionally balanced. And if your pet sitter needs to know about dietary restrictions while you're away on a trip, make sure it's on the instruction sheet — we take feeding guidelines seriously.
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