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Can my dog eat this?

Search 60 everyday foods for a clear answer: yes, careful or no, with the reason and the vet source.

Dog ate something toxic? Call your vet or an emergency clinic now. In the US you can also call the Pet Poison Helpline on 855-764-7661 (a fee applies). Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

  • Alcohol

    No

    Toxic. Can cause vomiting, poor coordination, breathing problems, coma and death.

    Source: ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Almonds, pecans & walnuts

    No

    Best avoided. The ASPCA warns their high fat content can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and pancreatitis.

    Source: ASPCA

  • Apples

    Yes

    Yes. Remove the core and seeds, then slice. Skip apple pie and sweetened apple sauce. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Avocado

    Careful

    Best avoided. The pit, skin and leaves contain persin and the pit is a blockage risk; sources differ on small bites of the flesh.

    Source: AKC · AKC · ASPCA

  • Bananas

    Yes

    Yes, in small amounts. Peel and slice; banana is high in sugar, so keep portions small. No peel. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Blueberries

    Yes

    Yes. Plain fresh or frozen blueberries are a low-calorie treat; cut them for small dogs. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Bread

    Careful

    Small amounts of plain, fully baked bread. Never raisin bread, garlic bread or raw dough.

    Source: AKC

  • Broccoli

    Careful

    Small amounts as an occasional treat, best cooked. Too much can irritate the stomach; stalks can obstruct.

    Source: AKC

  • Cantaloupe

    Careful

    In moderation; it's high in sugar. Remove the rind and seeds.

    Source: AKC

  • Carrots

    Yes

    Yes, raw or cooked. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve plain. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Cashews

    Careful

    Occasionally and unsalted. Nuts are high in fat, which can upset the stomach or trigger pancreatitis.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA

  • Celery

    Yes

    Yes, raw and cut into small pieces.

    Source: AKC

  • Cheese

    Careful

    Small amounts, if your dog tolerates dairy. It's high in fat: about 120 kcal per ounce of cheddar.

    Source: AKC · WSAVA

  • Cherries

    No

    Not recommended. Apart from the flesh, the cherry plant, stem and pit contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs.

    Source: AKC

  • Chives

    No

    Toxic. Chives are in the Allium family with onions and garlic and can cause anaemia.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Chocolate

    No

    Toxic. Contains methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) that can cause vomiting, a racing heart, tremors and seizures.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Coconut

    Careful

    Small amounts of plain coconut flesh are generally safe. The shell and husk are a hazard.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA

  • Coffee, tea & caffeine

    No

    Toxic. Caffeine is a methylxanthine like chocolate and can cause a racing heart, tremors and seizures.

    Source: ASPCA · AKC · WSAVA

  • Cooked bones

    No

    Dangerous. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, injuries or blockages. WSAVA warns raw bones are risky too.

    Source: AKC · WSAVA

  • Corn & corn on the cob

    Careful

    Plain kernels are fine, but never give corn on the cob: the cob can cause a blockage.

    Source: AKC

  • Cranberries

    Careful

    Small amounts, fresh or dried. Avoid sweetened dried cranberries and mixes with raisins.

    Source: AKC

  • Cucumbers

    Yes

    Yes. Wash and slice thinly. Pickles are a no (salt, garlic, onion). Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Eggs

    Yes

    Yes, fully cooked with no salt, butter or seasoning. Raw eggs can carry Salmonella.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA

  • Garlic

    No

    Toxic. Part of the Allium family; the AKC says garlic is 3–5 times more toxic to dogs than onions.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Grapes & raisins

    No

    Toxic. Even small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure in some dogs. Call your vet if your dog eats any. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Green beans

    Yes

    Yes, plain (raw, steamed or canned without added salt).

    Source: AKC

  • Ham

    Careful

    Not toxic, but high in fat and salt, so not a regular treat. About 46 kcal per ounce.

    Source: AKC · WSAVA

  • Honey

    Careful

    Small amounts are generally fine for healthy adult dogs. It's high in sugar.

    Source: AKC

  • Macadamia nuts

    No

    Toxic. Can cause weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors and high body temperature.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Mango

    Careful

    Yes, as an occasional treat. Remove the pit, which contains small amounts of cyanide.

    Source: AKC

  • Milk & dairy

    Careful

    Many dogs don't tolerate dairy well; it can cause diarrhoea or an upset stomach.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA

  • Onions

    No

    Toxic. Onions, leeks and shallots (Allium family) can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia, raw or cooked.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Oranges

    Careful

    Small amounts of peeled flesh with seeds removed. May cause minor stomach upset.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA

  • Peaches

    Careful

    Small amounts of cut-up fresh flesh. Never the pit (cyanide); skip canned peaches.

    Source: AKC

  • Peanut butter

    Careful

    Only xylitol-free, as an occasional treat. Never give peanut butter containing xylitol. About 81 kcal per tablespoon.

    Source: AKC · WSAVA

  • Peanuts

    Careful

    Dry-roasted or raw, unsalted and shelled, in moderation.

    Source: AKC

  • Pears

    Careful

    Yes, sliced, with the pit and seeds removed. Skip pears canned in syrup.

    Source: AKC

  • Peas

    Yes

    Yes, occasionally. Avoid canned peas with added salt.

    Source: AKC

  • Pickles

    No

    No. Pickles are high in salt and often contain garlic, onion and spices. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Pineapple

    Yes

    Yes, fresh flesh in small amounts. Remove the skin and core; skip canned pineapple in syrup. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Popcorn

    Careful

    Only plain, air-popped popcorn with no salt or butter. Unpopped kernels are a hazard.

    Source: AKC

  • Pork

    Careful

    Plain, cooked lean pork only, with no bones or seasoning.

    Source: AKC

  • Pumpkin

    Yes

    Yes, plain pure pumpkin purée. Not pumpkin pie filling.

    Source: AKC

  • Quinoa

    Yes

    Yes, plain cooked quinoa without salt or onions.

    Source: AKC

  • Raspberries

    Careful

    In moderation. They contain small amounts of natural xylitol, so the AKC suggests no more than 8 oz.

    Source: AKC

  • Raw bread dough & yeast

    No

    Dangerous. Raw yeast dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol. Call your vet if it's eaten.

    Source: ASPCA · AKC · WSAVA

  • Salmon

    Careful

    Fully cooked, deboned salmon is fine. Raw salmon can carry parasites; smoked salmon isn't a good choice.

    Source: AKC

  • Salt & salty snacks

    No

    Avoid. Too much salt causes extreme thirst and urination and, in large amounts, sodium poisoning.

    Source: ASPCA

  • Sardines

    Yes

    Yes, canned in water; the softened bones are edible.

    Source: AKC

  • Shrimp

    Careful

    A few pieces of plain, fully cooked shrimp with the shell, head, legs and tail removed. No fried or garlicky shrimp.

    Source: AKC

  • Spinach

    Careful

    Not toxic, but the AKC suggests choosing another vegetable because of its oxalic acid.

    Source: AKC

  • Store-bought mushrooms

    Careful

    Plain, washed supermarket mushrooms are generally fine. Wild mushrooms can be toxic.

    Source: AKC

  • Strawberries

    Yes

    Yes, in moderation. Wash, remove stems and cut up. Skip sweetened or syrup-packed strawberries. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Tomatoes

    Careful

    Ripe red flesh in small amounts only. Green tomatoes, stems, leaves and tomato sauces are a no. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Tuna

    Careful

    Small amounts of cooked tuna. Choose skipjack or 'light' canned tuna; avoid albacore and other high-mercury types.

    Source: AKC

  • Turkey

    Careful

    Plain cooked turkey meat is safe; remove the skin, fat and all bones. About 50 kcal per ounce of lean breast.

    Source: AKC · WSAVA

  • Watermelon

    Yes

    Yes, without seeds or rind. Cut seedless flesh into small cubes. Read the full guide →

    Source: AKC

  • Wild mushrooms

    No

    Can be toxic. Keep dogs away from mushrooms growing outdoors and call your vet if one is eaten.

    Source: AKC

  • Xylitol (sugar-free gum, sweets)

    No

    Highly toxic. Can cause a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage. Check peanut butter and yogurt labels.

    Source: AKC · ASPCA · WSAVA

  • Yogurt

    Careful

    Plain yogurt is OK for dogs who tolerate dairy. Check the label for xylitol and added sugar.

    Source: AKC

How to use this checker

Yes means the food is safe for most healthy dogs when prepared plainly. Careful means it's OK only in small amounts or with preparation (no seeds, pits, bones, salt or seasoning). No means don't share it. Every answer comes from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the American Kennel Club or the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, linked on each food.

Even safe foods are treats: keep all treats under 10% of your dog's daily calories. Use our dog treat calculator to see what that means for your dog.

General information, not veterinary advice. Dogs with health conditions, allergies or prescription diets may need different advice; ask your vet.