Can dogs eat…?
Type a food and see the answer straight away: whether you can give it to your dog, how carefully, and what to do if your dog ate something it should not have.
Most searched
Dangerous for dogs
If your dog ate any of these, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well.
What the answer means
- Safe
- Fine as an occasional treat, prepared as described. 20 foods
- In moderation
- Not toxic, but it has a downside: only a small piece, and not often. 23 foods
- Not safe
- Do not give it: the risk outweighs any benefit, or it does harm over time. 12 foods
- Dangerous
- Toxic or an emergency: if it was eaten, contact a vet straight away. 10 foods
Fruit and berries
- Apples Yes, apples are fine for dogs: give small pieces without the core and seeds, as an occasional treat. Safe
- Avocado No: avocado is very fatty, contains persin, and its large stone can block the gut, so it is better not to give it to a dog. Not safe
- Bananas Yes, in moderation: a small piece of peeled banana makes a good treat, but bananas are high in sugar, so they are not for every day. In moderation
- Blueberries Yes, blueberries and bilberries are fine for dogs: give a few washed, unsweetened berries as an occasional treat. Safe
- Cherries No: cherry stones, stalks and leaves are harmful to dogs, and a swallowed stone can block the gut, so it is better not to give cherries. Not safe
- Grapes No, grapes are dangerous for dogs: they can damage the kidneys. If your dog ate any, even a few, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Mandarins Yes, in moderation: a peeled mandarin segment without pips is fine now and then, but mandarins are high in sugar and the peel is unsuitable. In moderation
- Oranges Yes, in moderation: a peeled orange segment without pips is fine now and then, but the fruit is acidic and sweet, and the peel is unsuitable. In moderation
- Pears Yes, pears are fine for dogs: give small pieces of ripe pear without the core, seeds or stalk. Safe
- Pineapple Yes, in moderation: a piece of fresh, peeled pineapple without the core makes a treat, but the fruit is sweet and acidic. In moderation
- Plums No: plum stones are harmful to dogs and can block the gut, and the flesh is a laxative, so plums, especially windfalls, are best avoided. Not safe
- Raisins No, raisins are dangerous for dogs: they can damage the kidneys. If your dog ate raisins or food containing them, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Raspberries Yes, in moderation: a few fresh raspberries make a treat, but they contain a little natural xylitol, so give only a small amount. In moderation
- Strawberries Yes, strawberries are fine for dogs: wash the berry, remove the leaves, cut it up and give it as an occasional treat. Safe
- Watermelon Yes, watermelon is fine for dogs: give small pieces of flesh without seeds or rind, especially as a cooling treat on a hot day. Safe
Vegetables and mushrooms
- Beetroot Yes, in moderation: a small piece of plain cooked or grated beetroot is fine, but beetroot is high in sugar and oxalates. In moderation
- Bell peppers Yes, sweet bell peppers are fine for dogs: washed, without seeds or stalk, raw or cooked without spices, they make a good treat. Safe
- Broccoli Yes, in moderation: a small floret of plain broccoli, raw or cooked, is fine, but larger amounts can upset the stomach. In moderation
- Carrots Yes, carrots are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, unseasoned and cut into pieces, they make a crunchy, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Corn Yes, in moderation: plain sweetcorn kernels taken off the cob are fine, but the cob itself is dangerous for dogs. In moderation
- Courgettes Yes, courgettes are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, without oil, salt or spices, they make a light, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Cucumbers Yes, fresh cucumber is fine for dogs: it is mostly water and low in calories, but do not give pickled cucumbers. Safe
- Garlic No, garlic is dangerous to dogs, cooked or powdered too, so if your dog ate some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Mushrooms No: shop-bought mushrooms are not toxic, but mushroom dishes contain unsuitable extras, and wild mushrooms can be highly poisonous to dogs. Not safe
- Onions No, onions in any form are dangerous to dogs, so if your dog ate some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Peas Yes, peas are fine for dogs: fresh or frozen, cooked without salt, they make a good treat or an addition to a meal. Safe
- Potatoes Yes, in moderation: plain boiled, peeled potato without salt or butter is fine, but raw or green potatoes and sprouts must not be given. In moderation
- Pumpkin Yes, plain cooked pumpkin flesh without sugar or spices is fine for dogs, but not the skin, the stem or pumpkin pie filling. Safe
- Sweet potatoes Yes, plain boiled or baked sweet potato without salt, butter or spices is fine for dogs, peeled and cut into small pieces. Safe
- Tomatoes Yes, in moderation: a small piece of ripe red tomato is fine, but green tomatoes, leaves and stems are not suitable for dogs. In moderation
Meat and fish
- Beef Yes, lean cooked beef without seasoning makes a good treat for a dog, but do not give fatty cuts, bones or raw meat. Safe
- Bones No: cooked bones break into sharp splinters that can injure or block the digestive tract, and hard bones can break a tooth. Not safe
- Chicken Yes, plain cooked chicken without bones, skin or seasoning makes a good treat for a dog, but do not give bones or raw meat. Safe
- Fish Yes, well-cooked fish without bones or seasoning is fine for a dog, but do not give raw, smoked or salted fish. Safe
- Pork Yes, in moderation: lean, well-cooked plain pork is fine, but fatty, smoked or raw pork is not suitable for dogs. In moderation
- Raw meat No: raw meat can carry bacteria and parasites that are harmful to your dog and your family, so give meat only when well cooked. Not safe
- Salmon Yes, in moderation: well-cooked salmon without bones or seasoning is fine, but raw and smoked salmon are not suitable for dogs. In moderation
- Sausages No: sausages are high in fat, salt and spices, and some contain onion or garlic, so it is better not to give them to a dog. Not safe
- Tuna Yes, in moderation: a small piece of tuna in spring water or cooked tuna is fine now and then, but tuna builds up mercury, so not every day. In moderation
- Turkey Yes, plain cooked turkey without skin, bones or seasoning is fine for a dog, but do not give festive turkey with stuffing and gravy. Safe
Dairy and eggs
- Cheese Yes, in moderation: a small piece of mild hard cheese makes a good treat, but cheese is high in fat and salt, and blue cheese is not suitable. In moderation
- Cottage cheese Yes, in moderation: a little low-fat, unsweetened cottage cheese is a fine treat, but sweetened curd desserts and glazed curd bars are not. In moderation
- Eggs Yes, well-cooked eggs without salt or seasoning are a nourishing treat for a dog, but do not give raw eggs. Safe
- Milk Yes, in moderation: a little milk now and then is fine, but adult dogs digest lactose less well, so milk can cause diarrhoea. In moderation
- Yoghurt Yes, in moderation: a little plain yoghurt without sugar or sweeteners is fine, but sweetened yoghurts and yoghurts with xylitol are not. In moderation
Grains, bread and nuts
- Almonds No: almonds are not toxic to dogs, but they are hard, fatty and difficult to digest, so they can cause vomiting or block the gut. Not safe
- Bread Yes, in moderation: a small piece of plain baked bread does a dog no harm, but it adds nothing useful, and bread with added ingredients can be dangerous. In moderation
- Buckwheat Yes, cooked buckwheat is fine for dogs: it is easy to digest, just cook it without salt, butter or bacon bits. Safe
- Macadamia nuts No, macadamia nuts are dangerous to dogs: if your dog ate some, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well. Dangerous
- Oatmeal Yes, cooked oatmeal is fine for dogs: just cook it in water, with no sugar, salt or anything added. Safe
- Pasta Yes, in moderation: a little plain cooked pasta does a dog no harm, but sauces with onion, garlic or salt are not suitable for it. In moderation
- Peanut butter Yes, in moderation: only peanut butter without xylitol, which is dangerous to dogs, and without salt or sugar, so always read the label. In moderation
- Peanuts Yes, in moderation: an unsalted, shelled peanut does a dog no harm, but peanuts are very fatty, and salted or coated ones are not suitable. In moderation
- Popcorn Yes, in moderation: plain popcorn with no butter, salt or toppings does a dog no harm, but unpopped kernels can get stuck in the teeth. In moderation
- Rice Yes, plain cooked rice is fine for dogs: it is easy to digest, as long as it has no salt, seasoning or sauce. Safe
- Walnuts No: walnuts are not suitable for dogs, because they are fatty and hard to digest, and mouldy ones can cause tremors and seizures. Not safe
Sweets and snacks
- Chocolate No, chocolate is dangerous to dogs, especially dark chocolate and cocoa, so if your dog ate some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Crisps No: crisps are high in salt and fat, and the flavourings can contain onion or garlic, so they are not for dogs. Not safe
- Honey Yes, in moderation: a little honey will not harm a healthy adult dog, but honey is nearly pure sugar and is not for puppies. In moderation
- Sweets No: sweets are full of sugar and can contain xylitol, chocolate or raisins, which are dangerous to dogs, so do not give them. Not safe
- Xylitol No, xylitol is dangerous to dogs even in small amounts, so if your dog ate anything containing it, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
Drinks
- Alcohol No, alcohol is dangerous for dogs even in a small amount. If your dog drank or licked up any alcohol, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Coffee No, coffee is dangerous for dogs: caffeine acts on the heart and nervous system. If your dog drank or ate some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
Other
- Cat food No: cat food is not toxic to dogs, but it is too rich in fat and protein, so a dog that eats it regularly can gain weight or fall ill. Not safe
- Raw yeast dough No, raw yeast dough is dangerous for dogs: it rises in the stomach and produces alcohol. If your dog ate some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
More about health
This is general information, not a consultation with a vet. Every animal is different: if your pet is unwell or you are unsure, ask your vet.