What Can Dogs Eat? A–Z Food Guide
Search our A–Z food guide to find out which foods are safe for dogs and which ones to avoid.
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Showing 111 of 111 foods
Other
Alcohol
Alcohols are absorbed readily from the gut and through skin and can rapidly cause inebriation, metabolic acidosis, low body temperature and central-nervous-system depression; severe cases can lead to coma, seizures or death, and there is no specific antidote.
Nuts & Seeds
Almonds
Almonds are not toxic to dogs in the way macadamia nuts or grapes are. The reasons to skip them are practical: whole nuts can choke or block, the fat can upset digestion, and most almond products are salted, coated or flavoured.
Fruit
Apples
Apples can be an occasional treat for many dogs when served plain and properly prepared. They contain fiber and several nutrients, but they also contain natural sugar and should not replace a complete and balanced diet. Wash the apple, remove the stem, seeds and core, and cut the flesh into appropriately sized pieces before serving.
Fruit
Apricots
Only the flesh is part of this rating. Remove the pit and stem every time, and keep leaves and tree material away from dogs.
Vegetables
Asparagus
Asparagus itself is not poisonous to dogs. The concerns are texture and size: raw or woody spears are hard to chew and can cause choking or a blockage, and larger helpings may upset the stomach. The garden plant called asparagus fern is a separate plant and is not the vegetable.
Fruit
Avocado
Dogs are much less sensitive to avocado than birds and some livestock. The practical dog risks are the pit, which can choke or block, the high fat content, and guacamole, which usually contains onion and garlic.
Meat
Bacon
Bacon is cured, salty and very fatty. It is not treated as a canine toxin, but it is not a treat we would offer.
Fruit
Banana
Peeled banana flesh is not toxic to dogs and is a common ingredient in homemade treats. It is relatively high in natural sugar, so keep servings small.
Meat
Beef
Plain cooked beef is a familiar protein that most dogs handle well as a treat or food topper. It should be cooked through, unseasoned, trimmed of excess fat and served without cooked bones. Beef alone is not a complete diet.
Vegetables
Beets
Beets are not poisonous to dogs, but they are best kept to small amounts. They contain oxalates, which matter for dogs prone to bladder stones, and natural sugar. They may upset the stomach and can turn stool or urine red or pink. Pickled beets and canned beets with added salt or sugar are a separate question.
Vegetables
Bell Peppers
Sweet bell peppers of any colour are not toxic to dogs. Serve them plain, with the stem removed and cut into manageable pieces. This does not apply to hot chilli peppers.
Fruit
Blackberries
Blackberries are commonly listed among the fruits dogs can eat. They are low in sugar for a fruit, high in fibre and antioxidants, and soft enough to need very little preparation. Keep portions small and stick to plain berries rather than sweetened products.
Fruit
Blueberries
Plain fresh or frozen blueberries are widely considered a dog-friendly treat. Serve them in small amounts alongside a complete diet.
Grains
Bread
Plain baked bread in small amounts is generally not toxic to most dogs, though it is mainly empty calories. The real danger is raw yeast dough, which can expand in the stomach and produce ethanol — a veterinary emergency.
Vegetables
Broccoli
Broccoli is not a toxic food for dogs, and small amounts of plain broccoli are generally fine. We classify it as LIMIT because portion size and preparation genuinely matter here — florets can irritate the gut in larger quantities, and tough stalks need cutting down.
Vegetables
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts contain no known toxin for dogs. They are well known for causing gas, and larger amounts can lead to stomach upset and diarrhoea. Serve them plain, cooked until soft and cut into pieces.
Vegetables
Cabbage
Plain cabbage is not considered toxic to dogs. Keep servings modest because cabbage is a well-known cause of gas, and leave off butter, salt, sauces, garlic and onion.
Fruit
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe flesh is a hydrating, low-calorie fruit that most dogs enjoy. Remove the rind, which is a choking and obstruction risk, scoop out the seeds, and keep portions modest because melon is naturally sugary.
Vegetables
Carrots
Plain raw or cooked carrots are a common low-calorie dog treat. Cut them to a size your dog can chew safely.
Nuts & Seeds
Cashews
A plain cashew or two is unlikely to harm most dogs. The concerns are fat, calories, choking, salted and flavoured products, and mixed nut packets that may contain macadamias.
Vegetables
Cauliflower
Plain cauliflower is not considered toxic to dogs. Serve it without butter, salt, garlic or onion, and keep portions modest because larger amounts commonly cause gas and digestive upset.
Vegetables
Celery
Celery is a low-calorie, high-water vegetable that suits dogs on a diet and makes a satisfying crunchy treat. The main practical issue is texture: the stringy fibres and long stalks should be chopped into short pieces before serving.
Dairy
Cheese
Small amounts of plain, low-salt cheese are tolerated by many dogs, but cheese is high in fat and salt and many dogs are lactose intolerant.
Fruit
Cherries
Cherry flesh is not generally considered toxic to dogs in small amounts, but the pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds and the pits are a real choking and obstruction hazard. Because the risk is easy to avoid entirely, we recommend choosing a safer fruit.
Meat
Chicken
Plain, thoroughly cooked, boneless and unseasoned chicken is a common dog food ingredient. Bones, skin and seasonings are the risks.
Vegetables
Chickpeas
Cook dried chickpeas until soft, or choose low-sodium canned chickpeas and rinse them. Hummus is a separate prepared food.
Vegetables
Chili peppers
Capsaicin in chili, jalapeño and cayenne peppers causes irritation and burning. Sweet bell peppers are a different food with their own page.
Herbs
Chives
Chives belong to the Allium plant group, together with onion, garlic and leek. Veterinary sources list chives among the Allium species involved in poisoning in dogs. The compounds can damage red blood cells, and signs may appear only after several days.
Other
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolise slowly. Darker chocolate and cocoa are the most concerning. Contact a vet after any ingestion.
Herbs
Cinnamon
Cinnamon in a food is a different exposure from a spilled jar of powder, inhaled dust, chewed sticks, essential oil or a mixed bakery product. The form and the rest of the ingredients decide the risk.
Fruit
Coconut
Plain coconut flesh is not toxic to dogs, but the oil content can cause stomach upset and loose stools. The shell, husk and sweetened coconut products are the things to keep away.
Fish
Cod
Cod is listed among fish generally considered safe. Cook it fully without oil or seasoning and remove every bone.
Other
Coffee
Brewed coffee, grounds, beans, espresso and instant coffee all contain caffeine, which dogs are sensitive to. Contact your vet promptly after any meaningful exposure.
Vegetables
Corn
Plain cooked corn kernels are not toxic and many dogs eat them in commercial food. The cob is the real issue: it does not break down, and swallowed pieces are a classic cause of intestinal obstruction that often needs surgery.
Dairy
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is dairy, and its fat, salt and lactose vary by product. Plain, unsweetened tubs are the simpler choice, while flavoured or sweetened products need a label check before sharing.
Fruit
Cranberries
Plain fresh or frozen cranberries are not considered toxic to dogs. They are very tart, so many dogs refuse them, and the sweetened dried and sauced versions are the ones to leave alone.
Dairy
Cream cheese
Plain cream cheese is a high-fat dairy treat, not a regular part of a dog’s diet. Products containing garlic, onion or chives present those separate hazards, and desserts or sugar-free versions need their own ingredient check.
Vegetables
Cucumber
Plain cucumber is a high-water, relatively low-calorie vegetable that most dogs can eat in moderation. The main practical points are cutting it small enough to chew safely and keeping it plain — pickles are not the same thing.
Fruit
Dates
A small piece of pitted date is acceptable for most healthy dogs as an occasional extra. Remove the pit, which is hard and can chip teeth, cause choking or block the gut. Most dates are sold dried, which concentrates the sugar and calories. Too many can upset the stomach.
Vegetables
Eggplant
Eggplant, also called aubergine, belongs to the nightshade family. The edible fruit can be eaten by dogs in small amounts; the natural compound solanine is more concentrated in the leaves and flowers than in the fruit. Larger amounts may upset the stomach, and many eggplant dishes contain garlic, onion, oil or cheese.
Other
Eggs
Plain cooked eggs with no butter, oil, salt or seasoning are a common dog treat. Raw eggs carry bacterial risk.
Fruit
Figs
A small piece of ripe, fresh fig is acceptable for most healthy dogs as an occasional extra. Too much fruit can cause diarrhoea. The fig plant is different: its leaves, stems and sap can irritate the mouth, stomach and skin. Dried figs and fig-filled biscuits are concentrated sugar.
Herbs
Garlic
Garlic is an Allium, like onion, and Allium exposure can damage a dog's red blood cells. Raw, cooked, dried and concentrated forms — including powders, supplements and garlic bread — should not be treated as dog-safe foods. Contact a vet promptly after any ingestion.
Herbs
Ginger
A little plain ginger in food is generally tolerated by many healthy dogs. Ginger supplements, pickled ginger, ginger ale, ginger beer and gingerbread are different questions because the form, amount and other ingredients change the risk.
Fruit
Grapefruit
We recommend not feeding grapefruit. The flesh is not toxic, but it is very sour and can irritate a dog's stomach, and the peel, rind and seeds contain essential oils and psoralens. A lick or a small bite of flesh is not a poisoning emergency.
Fruit
Grapes
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and Zante currants have been associated with kidney failure in dogs. The effect is unpredictable and no safe amount has been established — contact a vet if your dog eats any.
Vegetables
Green Beans
Green beans are widely recommended as a low-calorie, filling treat for dogs, including as part of vet-guided weight management. The key is that they are plain: no salt, butter, garlic or onion, and canned varieties should be avoided unless they are salt-free.
Meat
Ham
This page is about cured or salted ham. Salt and fat content vary between products, and glazes, pan juices and bones each need separate consideration.
Other
Honey
Honey is not normally toxic to dogs. It is, however, almost pure sugar, so we treat it as a small occasional extra rather than a food — and not as a remedy for anything.
Fruit
Honeydew
Honeydew flesh is not considered toxic to dogs. Remove the rind and seeds, serve small pieces, and keep the portion modest because melon carries a fair amount of natural sugar.
Herbs
Hops
Hops (Humulus lupulus), including used hops from home brewing, can cause dangerous hyperthermia. Contact a veterinarian urgently if your dog eats any.
Dairy
Ice Cream
Three separate things matter: lactose, fat and sugar, and particular ingredients such as xylitol or chocolate that are genuinely toxic to dogs.
Vegetables
Kale
Kale is not a food to share freely. It contains calcium oxalate, which is why sources advise against it for dogs with a history of kidney or bladder stones, and it can upset the stomach. For other healthy adult dogs, a little plain kale now and then is generally acceptable.
Fruit
Kiwi
Kiwi flesh is not considered toxic to dogs. Peel it, cut it into small pieces and keep the portion small — the skin is tough and a whole kiwi is a choking hazard.
Meat
Lamb
Plain cooked lamb is a normal protein for dogs and appears in many commercial foods. Cook it fully, remove all bones, trim the fat, and serve it without seasoning, gravy, onion or garlic.
Vegetables
Leeks
Leeks are an Allium vegetable, closely related to onion and garlic. Veterinary sources list leeks among the Allium species that can poison dogs by damaging red blood cells. Signs may appear only after several days.
Fruit
Lemons
Lemons are intensely sour and acidic, and they are not a food dogs should be offered. A tiny taste of flesh usually causes nothing worse than a grimace, but peel, pith and citrus oils are more of a concern, and larger amounts can upset the gut.
Vegetables
Lettuce
Romaine and iceberg lettuce are non-toxic. Offer plain leaves in small amounts, not leftover salad.
Fruit
Limes
We recommend not feeding limes. The flesh is very sour and can irritate a dog's stomach, and large amounts have been linked to more serious signs. The peel and rind contain essential oils and psoralens and can cause a blockage. A small lick is not a poisoning emergency.
Nuts & Seeds
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are one of the few foods with a well-described, dog-specific toxic syndrome. Affected dogs typically show weakness, wobbliness, vomiting and sometimes a raised temperature. Most recover with veterinary care, but no amount is an appropriate treat.
Fruit
Mango
Ripe mango flesh is generally considered fine for dogs as an occasional treat. It is fairly sugary, and the hard pit is the real hazard, so preparation is what makes mango a sensible snack.
Dairy
Milk
Milk is not a poison for dogs. The issue is digestion: many adult dogs produce little lactase, so milk can cause bloating, wind and loose stools. Tolerance varies a lot between individual dogs, and milk adds calories most dogs do not need.
Vegetables
Mushrooms
We rate mushrooms AVOID as a category because wild or unidentified mushrooms can be highly toxic and even fatal, and identifying them is difficult even for experts. Plain store-bought culinary mushrooms are a lower-risk exception and are not generally considered toxic to dogs.
Herbs
Nutmeg
Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin. A recipe amount is very unlikely to cause serious toxicity, though mild stomach upset could occur; a very large amount is a different matter.
Grains
Oatmeal
Plain cooked oatmeal, served without sugar, sweeteners, milk or flavourings, can be offered to most dogs in moderation. Flavoured and instant varieties may contain xylitol, raisins, chocolate or added sugar, which are not suitable.
Fruit
Olives
Olives themselves are not poisonous to dogs. The problems come with how they are sold: most are brined, canned or pickled and can be high in salt, the pits can cause choking, blockages or tooth damage, and stuffings and marinades can contain garlic or other unsafe ingredients.
Vegetables
Onions
Onions belong to the Allium family, and Allium exposure can damage a dog's red blood cells and lead to anemia. Raw, cooked, dried and powdered onion are all a concern, as are sauces, broths and seasoned dishes that contain them. Contact a vet promptly after any ingestion.
Fruit
Oranges
Orange flesh is not poisonous to dogs, and a segment or two is tolerated by some dogs. But oranges are acidic and sugary, the peel is difficult to digest and can cause a blockage, and plenty of dogs simply dislike citrus. This one is a small, optional treat rather than a recommended food.
Fruit
Papaya
Ripe papaya flesh is not considered toxic to dogs. Remove the skin and every seed, cut the flesh into pieces that suit your dog's size, and keep it as an occasional treat.
Herbs
Parsley
This page covers the culinary herb parsley (Petroselinum crispum), both curly and flat-leaf. A sprinkle on food is not a concern for most dogs. Parsley contains furanocoumarins, which in large amounts can make skin react to sunlight. Wild plants with “parsley” in their name are different species.
Grains
Pasta
Sauced, filled and seasoned pasta sits outside that rating; sauces may contain garlic or onion, which are toxic to dogs.
Fruit
Peaches
Fresh peach flesh can be given to dogs in small quantities, but peaches carry more caveats than most fruits. The stone is a genuine choking and obstruction hazard and contains cyanide compounds, and the sugar content means peaches are a small treat rather than a regular food.
Nuts & Seeds
Peanut Butter
Plain peanut butter with no xylitol (birch sugar) is a popular dog treat, but it is very high in fat and calories. Always check the label first.
Nuts & Seeds
Peanuts
Peanuts are high in fat, so keep portions very small. Remove shells, and skip salted, honey-roasted, chocolate-coated or flavoured peanuts.
Fruit
Pears
Plain fresh pear is generally considered dog-friendly. The flesh is fibrous and juicy, but the core and seeds should always be removed — pear seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide compounds — and canned or syrup-packed pear is not suitable.
Vegetables
Peas
Green, snap and snow peas are all fine for dogs when served plain. They are low in calories and provide fibre. The things to watch are tinned peas with added salt, pods for small dogs, and portion size.
Nuts & Seeds
Pecans
We recommend not feeding pecans. They are high in fat, whole nuts and shells can cause choking or a blockage, and mouldy pecans can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures. A single dropped, fresh pecan is unlikely to harm a healthy dog.
Fruit
Pineapple
Fresh pineapple flesh is generally fine for dogs in small amounts. The tough skin, spiky crown and fibrous core are the parts to remove, and the natural sugar means it suits an occasional treat rather than a daily one.
Nuts & Seeds
Pistachios
We recommend not feeding pistachios. Shells and whole nuts can cause choking or a blockage, pistachios are often sold salted, the nuts are high in fat, and they can carry mould toxins even when no mould is visible. A few plain nuts are unlikely to harm a healthy dog.
Fruit
Plums
The fleshy part of a ripe plum is not the problem. The pit (stone), stems and leaves contain compounds that can release cyanide, and a swallowed pit is also a choking and blockage risk. Too much plum flesh can upset the stomach, and prunes are a more concentrated form of the fruit.
Fruit
Pomegranate
We recommend not giving pomegranate to dogs. It can upset the stomach, and the tough peel (rind) carries more concern than a few seeds, including a risk of blockage. If your dog ate one or two seeds, that is unlikely to cause serious harm. Commercial dog foods that list pomegranate as an ingredient are a different question.
Grains
Popcorn
Buttered, salted and flavoured popcorn is not covered by that rating, and hard unpopped kernels are a choking risk.
Meat
Pork
Plain cooked pork with the fat trimmed off is an acceptable occasional protein. The reason for the LIMIT rating is everything else: raw pork, fat, bones, seasoning, and cured products such as bacon, ham and sausage.
Vegetables
Potatoes
Plain cooked potato without butter, salt or seasoning can be given in small amounts. Raw potatoes should not be fed, and green or sprouted potatoes are a genuine toxicity concern.
Vegetables
Pumpkin
Plain cooked or plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is a common dog-friendly ingredient. Spiced or sweetened pumpkin products are not suitable.
Grains
Quinoa
Plain cooked quinoa is not considered toxic to dogs and appears in some commercial dog foods. Cook it thoroughly, serve it plain, and treat it as an extra rather than a replacement for a complete diet.
Vegetables
Radishes
The common red or white culinary radish root is safe for dogs as a small, plain extra. Cut it up, because a whole radish can be a choking risk. The leafy greens may upset the stomach. Horseradish and wild radish are different plants and are not covered by this page.
Fruit
Raisins
Raisins are dried grapes, and grapes and raisins have been linked to acute kidney injury in dogs. Sensitivity varies unpredictably between individuals and no safe amount has been established, so contact a vet or an animal poison service promptly after any ingestion.
Fruit
Raspberries
Raspberries are widely listed as a dog-friendly fruit. They are low in sugar compared with many fruits and high in fibre, but they contain a very small amount of naturally occurring xylitol, so they are best offered occasionally and in small portions rather than by the handful.
Vegetables
Rhubarb
The part of rhubarb people eat, the stalk, contains very little soluble oxalate and is not considered toxic. The leaves are the dangerous part: they contain much higher levels of soluble oxalates. Rhubarb is still not an ideal routine treat, and sweetened pies and crumbles are not the same as plain stalks.
Grains
Rice
Plain, well-cooked rice with nothing added is a common ingredient in dog food and vet-suggested bland meals.
Fish
Salmon
Cooked, plain, boneless salmon is a well-tolerated protein for most dogs. The qualification matters: raw salmon, bones, smoked or salted salmon and seasoned preparations are the parts that cause problems.
Other
Salt
Do not add salt to treats or table scraps for your dog. If you know your dog ate only a small bite of an ordinary salted food, that is different from eating loose salt, salt dough or de-icing salt, or drinking seawater.
Fish
Sardines
Plain cooked sardines, or tinned sardines in water with no added salt, are fine as an occasional treat. Salted, smoked, seasoned and sauce-packed tins are the ones to avoid.
Meat
Sausage
A sausage is a processed product, and depending on the recipe it can carry a lot of salt, a lot of fat, and seasonings that matter. Plain, unseasoned cooked meat is a separate question.
Fish
Shrimp
Shrimp is safe when it is fully cooked and served plain with the shell, tail, head and legs removed. Butter, garlic, salt, batter and raw shrimp are the problems, not the shrimp itself.
Vegetables
Spinach
Spinach is not poisonous to dogs and small amounts are generally tolerated, but its high oxalate content is a reason for caution — particularly for dogs with kidney problems or a history of urinary stones. Serve it plain, chopped and lightly cooked, in small portions.
Fruit
Star fruit
Sour star fruit can cause serious toxicity. Sweet star fruit has much less oxalate, but you can't always tell which you have, and kidney health changes the risk.
Fruit
Strawberries
Fresh strawberries are widely considered a dog-friendly fruit when they are washed, trimmed and cut to a size that suits your dog. They do contain natural sugar, so they work best as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.
Vegetables
Sweet Potato
Cooked, plain sweet potato is a dog-friendly vegetable that provides fibre and beta-carotene. It should always be cooked and peeled — raw sweet potato is hard to digest and a choking risk — and portions kept modest, since it is starchy and higher in calories than most vegetables.
Other
Tea
Tea leaves and tea bags concentrate caffeine and can cause serious toxicity. This page covers tea from the Camellia sinensis plant only.
Other
Tofu
Offer plain, unseasoned tofu in moderation. Skip tofu cooked with onion, garlic or salty soy sauce, and avoid it for dogs with soy allergy.
Vegetables
Tomatoes
Ripe red tomato flesh is generally considered safe for dogs in small amounts. Unripe green tomatoes and the green parts of the plant contain tomatine and should not be fed, and prepared tomato products often contain onion, garlic, salt or sugar.
Fish
Tuna
Tuna is not toxic to dogs, but it is a large predatory fish that accumulates mercury, and many canned products are salted or oily. Keep it plain, small and occasional.
Meat
Turkey
Plain cooked turkey meat, ideally skinless and boneless, is a lean protein most dogs handle well. Seasoned holiday turkey, gravy, skin, bones, deli turkey and turkey bacon are a different matter and are not recommended.
Nuts & Seeds
Walnuts
Plain English walnuts are not automatically highly toxic, yet fat, choking, shells, mould and the more concerning black walnut add up. We recommend keeping walnuts away from dogs.
Fruit
Watermelon
The flesh is a hydrating warm-weather treat. Remove the rind and seeds, which are the main practical risks.
Other
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten sugar-free products. In dogs it can trigger a sudden, severe drop in blood sugar, and liver injury has also been reported. It is a poisoning risk, not a portion-size question.
Grains
Yeast dough
The warm stomach keeps the yeast working, so raw dough can go on expanding inside the dog, and the same fermentation produces alcohol that is absorbed into the blood. Baked bread is a different question.
Dairy
Yogurt
Plain, unsweetened yogurt is not toxic and many dogs tolerate a spoonful. The problems come from lactose sensitivity, added sugar in flavoured pots, and sugar-free products that may be sweetened with xylitol.
Vegetables
Zucchini
Zucchini is low in calories, high in water and widely considered dog-friendly. It can be served raw or plainly cooked, and the skin and seeds of a standard zucchini are fine. Avoid oil, salt, garlic and onion, and skip any zucchini that tastes unusually bitter.
This guide is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic or is showing concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian promptly.