Dogs can have small amounts of some fruit, vegetables and plain cooked meat. Grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol, the onion family and macadamia nuts are toxic to them.
One at a time, by its everyday name, such as grapes or peace lily.
Can your pet eat it?
Type a food or plant, or pick one: grapes and raisins, chocolate, cheese, bananas, true lilies (Lilium).
Foods dogs can have in small amounts
Cut fruit and vegetables small, take out seeds, cores, stems, pits and thick peels, and leave off seasoning. A food the ASPCA clears only for “your pet”, without naming dogs, is in the no clear source table.
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Bananas | Tufts and VCA list bananas among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA lists bananas among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Peel them first. |
| Blueberries | Tufts lists blueberries among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA lists blueberries among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. |
| Apples | Tufts lists apples among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA lists apples among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Take out the seeds, core and stem first: the ASPCA says apple seeds, stems and leaves contain cyanide. |
| Watermelon | Tufts and VCA list watermelon among healthy snacks for dogs. Take off the rind: VCA says to remove thick peels, skins and rinds. |
| Strawberries | Tufts lists strawberries among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA lists strawberries among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Cut them into bite-size pieces. |
| Carrots | Tufts and VCA list carrots among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA calls carrots a good snack option for pets. Cut them into small, bite-size pieces to avoid choking. |
| Cucumber | Tufts and VCA list cucumber among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA lists cucumber among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. |
| Ripe tomatoes | Tufts lists cherry tomatoes among snacks for dogs, and the ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline say the ripe fruit is non-toxic. Green tomatoes, the leaves and the stems are toxic. |
| Peaches | VCA lists peaches among fruit dogs can have. Take out the pit: the FDA says peach pits contain cyanide and can block the gut. |
| Lean cooked chicken or turkey | Tufts lists baked chicken breast and lean cooked ground turkey among low-fat snacks for dogs. The ASPCA says small amounts of lean cooked meat are okay with no bones and no seasoning. |
| Green beans | Tufts and VCA list green beans among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA calls green beans a good snack option for pets. Cut into bite-size pieces, and serve plain if cooked. |
| Broccoli | Tufts lists broccoli among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA calls broccoli a good snack option for pets. |
| Celery | Tufts lists celery among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA calls celery a good snack option for pets. Cut it into small pieces. |
| Cantaloupe | Tufts lists cantaloupe among healthy snacks for dogs. The ASPCA lists cantaloupe among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Cut it into bite-size pieces and take out any seeds, core, stem or peel. |
| Honeydew melon | Tufts lists honeydew melon among healthy snacks for dogs. |
| Sweet red peppers | Tufts lists sweet red peppers among healthy snacks for dogs. |
| Green peas | Tufts lists green peas among healthy snacks for dogs. |
| Zucchini | Tufts lists zucchini among healthy snacks for dogs. |
| Asparagus | Tufts lists asparagus among healthy snacks for dogs. |
Foods dogs shouldn’t eat
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Grapes and raisins | Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA, the Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA and Tufts all list grapes and raisins as toxic to dogs, and the ASPCA says they can lead to kidney damage. VCA says some dogs are poisoned by a small amount and there’s no way to predict which. Raisins hide in cereal, trail mix, granola bars and baked goods. |
| Chocolate | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA, the Merck Veterinary Manual and Tufts list chocolate as toxic to dogs. The ASPCA says the darker the chocolate, the greater the risk, with baking chocolate and cocoa powder the worst; white chocolate is still on its list. |
| Coffee, tea and caffeine | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and the FDA list coffee, tea and other caffeine as dangerous to pets. Pet Poison Helpline says dogs and cats appear more sensitive to caffeine than people. |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets) | The ASPCA, the FDA, Pet Poison Helpline, VCA and Tufts all warn that xylitol is dangerous to dogs; the ASPCA says it can cause low blood sugar and liver damage. It’s in sugar-free gum, sweets, mints, baked goods, some peanut butters and toothpaste, and may be listed as birch sugar or wood sugar. |
| Onions | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA, VCA and Tufts list onions as toxic to dogs. The ASPCA says the onion family can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia; cats are more susceptible, but dogs are at risk too. |
| Garlic | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA and Tufts list garlic as toxic to dogs. Garlic is in the onion family, which the ASPCA says can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. |
| Chives | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, VCA and Tufts list chives as toxic to dogs. Chives are in the onion family, which can damage red blood cells. |
| Leeks | Pet Poison Helpline and VCA list leeks as toxic to dogs. Leeks are in the onion family, with onions, garlic and chives. |
| Macadamia nuts | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA, the Merck Veterinary Manual and Tufts list macadamia nuts as toxic to dogs. |
| Almonds, pecans and walnuts | The ASPCA lists almonds, pecans and walnuts among foods to avoid for pets: their fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis. |
| Alcohol | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and the FDA list alcohol, and food made with it, as dangerous to pets. |
| Raw bread dough | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA and the Merck Veterinary Manual warn against raw yeast dough. The ASPCA says it can rise in the stomach and cause bloat, and the yeast makes alcohol. |
| Bones | The ASPCA says bones can injure or block a dog’s gut, which could need surgery, and the FDA says bones can get stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. |
| Milk and dairy | The ASPCA says pets don’t have much lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset. |
| Apple seeds, cores and stems | The ASPCA says apple stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide. |
| Cherries | The ASPCA lists the cherry plant as toxic to dogs and cats: its stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide. Pet Poison Helpline says the pits are the main concern, and no source we read says the fruit is safe to feed. |
| Raw eggs | The ASPCA says raw eggs can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and contain an enzyme that can lead to skin and coat problems. |
| Oranges | The ASPCA lists citrus among people foods to avoid: the stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds contain citric acid and essential oils that can cause irritation. |
| Lemons, limes and other citrus | The ASPCA lists citrus among people foods to avoid for pets, as its peels, leaves, seeds and fruit contain citric acid and essential oils. |
| Salt and salty snacks | The ASPCA, the FDA and Tufts list salt and salty foods among those to avoid for pets. |
| Raw meat | The ASPCA says raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, harmful to pets and people, and Tufts lists uncooked foods among those dogs should avoid. |
| Ham, bacon and lunch meat | The ASPCA says to avoid processed meats like lunch meat or bacon, which can be high in salt, and Tufts lists deli meats among high-salt foods. |
| Fatty foods and turkey skin | Tufts says rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin may cause vomiting or pancreatitis in dogs, and the FDA lists fatty foods among hazards for pets. |
| Coconut | The ASPCA lists coconut on its page of people foods to avoid: the flesh and milk of fresh coconuts contain oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools and diarrhea. |
| Wild mushrooms | VCA lists wild mushrooms among foods toxic to pets. |
| Rhubarb | VCA lists rhubarb among foods toxic to pets. |
| Corn cobs | VCA warns never to give a whole cob of corn, which can get stuck in the stomach or intestines, and the FDA says corn cobs can block the gut. |
Not regularly
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Tuna | The American Kennel Club says neither canned nor raw tuna is completely safe for dogs, because of mercury, and that feeding tuna regularly can lead to mercury poisoning over time. It says to avoid albacore (“white”) and yellowfin tuna, and raw tuna, which can also carry parasites or bacteria. Its only exception is an occasional small amount of “light” (skipjack) tuna packed only in water, with no added salt or seasoning. The AKC is a breed registry, and no vet or poison control source we read covers tuna for dogs. |
No clear source: don’t feed it
These foods have no vet school, poison control or government source that says they’re fine for dogs, or the sources disagree.
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Avocado | Pet Poison Helpline says avocado is non-toxic to dogs and cats, while the FDA calls it mildly toxic to them, and both say the pit can block the gut. With the sources split and none saying to feed it, leave it out. |
| Cheese | The ASPCA’s food-sharing article allows a small cube of cheese, but its list of foods to avoid includes dairy, and Tufts lists cheeses among salty foods some pets should avoid. With the sources split, leave it out. |
| Peanut butter | The FDA says to check the label for xylitol before you give your dog nut butter, and VCA warns that peanut butter can contain it, but no source we read says peanut butter is safe for dogs. VCA calls xylitol extremely toxic to dogs. |
| Pineapple | The ASPCA says pineapple is okay to give to “your pet” without naming dogs, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Popcorn | The ASPCA says air-popped popcorn is a healthy snack for “you and your furry companion” without naming dogs, and no other source we read covers it. It also lists salty foods among those to avoid. |
| Plums, nectarines and apricots | No source we read says these fruits are safe for pets. The FDA says plum, nectarine and apricot pits contain cyanide, and a swallowed pit can block the gut. |
| Cooked eggs | Only the American Kennel Club, a breed registry, says dogs can eat cooked eggs; no vet school, poison control center or government page we read does. Raw eggs are a firm no from the ASPCA. |
| Rice | Only the American Kennel Club, a breed registry, says dogs can eat plain boiled rice. No vet school, poison control center or government page we read covers it. |
| Mango | Only the American Kennel Club, a breed registry, says dogs can eat mango. No vet school or poison control source we read does. |
| Lean cooked beef or pork | The ASPCA says small amounts of lean cooked beef or pork, free of bones and seasoning, are okay without naming dogs, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Cauliflower | The ASPCA says cauliflower is a good snack option for “your furry friend” without naming dogs, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Plain cooked pumpkin | The ASPCA says cooked (canned) pumpkin is a good snack option for “your furry friend” without naming dogs, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Kiwi | The ASPCA says kiwi is okay to give to “your pet” without naming dogs, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Corn kernels | No vet or poison control source we read says corn kernels are safe for dogs. VCA warns that a cob can block the gut. |
| Bread | No vet or poison control source we read says bread is a safe snack for dogs, and Tufts lists most bread products among high-salt foods to avoid for pets that need less salt. |
| Sweets, biscuits and cakes | No vet or poison control source we read says sweets or baked goods are safe for pets, and Pet Poison Helpline warns that chocolate candy and baked goods may also contain macadamia nuts, raisins or xylitol. |
If your dog ate something it shouldn’t
If your dog 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.
Plants are on plants toxic to dogs.