Pick your pet and type a food or plant to see what poison control centers, vet schools and welfare charities say about it. When no source clearly says it’s OK, the answer is don’t feed it.
Your pet
One at a time, by its everyday name, such as grapes or peace lily.
Yes, in small amounts: a vet school, poison control center, government agency or welfare charity names the food as fine for that animal. The ASPCA’s food-sharing article says “your pet” without naming one, so on its own it isn’t a yes: pineapple, kiwi, popcorn, cauliflower, pumpkin, beef and pork rest on it alone, and show no clear source.
No: one of them lists it as toxic or harmful to that animal.
No clear source: don’t feed it: none of them says it’s OK, or they disagree. Cheese, and avocado for dogs and cats, are split this way.
More than one food: chocolate covered strawberries take the answer for the riskiest food in them, chocolate. A mix like apple juice is never a yes.
Not regularly: tuna for dogs. The American Kennel Club says neither canned nor raw tuna is completely safe for dogs, because of mercury; its only exception is an occasional small amount of light tuna packed in water.
Not poisonous: a plant the ASPCA’s database lists as non-toxic. Non-toxic doesn’t make a plant a food.
A fact about one animal stays with that animal: a food that’s fine for dogs isn’t a yes for cats or rabbits unless a source says so for them.
If your pet already ate something
If your pet has already eaten something on these lists, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center straight away, at (888) 426-4435, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. A consultation fee may apply. The ASPCA asks you to note how much was eaten. Pet Poison Helpline, another US poison control center, is on (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply there too.
Treats stay small
For dogs and cats, the ASPCA keeps snacks to no more than 5% of daily calories, Tufts to 10%, and Cornell to 10 to 15% for cats. The ASPCA’s smaller share is the safe side. Rabbits and guinea pigs should live mostly on hay, which RSPCA and RWAF put at about 85% of a rabbit’s diet, with grass.
Common questions
Which pets does it cover?
Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, budgies and cockatiels. Bearded dragons, tortoises and turtles have their own diet pages on this site.
Is a plant the ASPCA calls non-toxic safe to eat?
Not as food, going by the ASPCA's own database: non-toxic means only that the plant isn't poisonous to dogs, cats or horses.
Can dogs eat rice, mango or cooked eggs?
Don't count on it. Only the American Kennel Club, a breed registry, says dogs can eat them, and no vet school, poison control center or government page we read does.
Answers come from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA, the Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals and the Tufts and Cornell vet schools, and for small pets and birds from RSPCA, the Rabbit Welfare Association, Woodgreen and the Royal Veterinary College. Checked against published data from VCA Animal Hospitals, RSPCA, ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (plus 10 more).
See all 42 sources
RSPCA, Hamsters: environment, company and diet
RSPCA, Gerbils: environment, company and diet
RSPCA, Guinea pigs: environment, diet and company
RSPCA, Rabbits: environment, diet and company
RSPCA, Pet birds (environment, company and diet pages)
Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, How to feed rabbits
Woodgreen Pets Charity, Caring for hamsters; What to feed your hamster
Woodgreen Pets Charity, Guinea pigs: housing, day-to-day guide, and poisonous food and plants
Scottish SPCA, Caring for your rabbits
RSPCA Australia knowledgebase, Where should I keep my guinea pigs?; What should I feed my guinea pigs?
RSPCA Australia knowledgebase, What should I feed my rabbits?
Royal Veterinary College (Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital), Hamster care, December 2022 (PDF)
Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service, Budgerigar care (factsheet, reviewed December 2024, PDF)
Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service, Cockatiel care (factsheet, reviewed December 2024, PDF)
VCA Animal Hospitals, Feeding guinea pigs
VCA Animal Hospitals, Feeding budgies
VCA Animal Hospitals, Cockatiels: general information; Feeding cockatiels
VCA Animal Hospitals, Grape, Raisin, and Currant Poisoning in Dogs
VCA Animal Hospitals, Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs
VCA Animal Hospitals, Can you feed pets certain fruits and veggies
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology: Harmful vs Healthy Foods for Pets (December 27, 2017)
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Keeping Pets Safe During This Season (November 17, 2022)
Cornell Feline Health Center, Feeding Your Cat (April 30, 2026)
American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Mango, Rice, Eggs, Tuna? (breed registry; a weaker source)
Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, Poisonous plants
Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, Obesity, Commercial Food and Treats
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Bad for Birds: Prevent Poisoning in Avian Pets (April 9, 2026)
American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Tuna? (updated October 21, 2026; breed registry, a weaker source)
General care guidance from animal welfare charities, vets and makers' published sizes. It isn't veterinary advice: if your pet seems unwell or has eaten something it shouldn't, call your vet.