Foods Dogs Can and Cannot Eat
Sharing food is tempting, but not everything on your plate is safe for your dog. Here is a practical guide to common foods. When in doubt, ask your vet, and use our food safety checker for a quick answer.
Foods that are dangerous for dogs
- Xylitol (in some sugar-free gum, candy and peanut butter): can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
- Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate.
- Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney failure.
- Onions, garlic, chives and leeks: can damage red blood cells.
- Macadamia nuts.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough.
- Cooked bones, which can splinter.
- Caffeine.
Foods that are generally safe in small amounts
- Plain cooked chicken, turkey or lean beef (no seasoning).
- Carrots, green beans, cucumber and cooked pumpkin.
- Blueberries, apple slices (no seeds) and watermelon (no rind or seeds).
- Plain cooked rice and oats.
- Plain peanut butter without xylitol.
- Plain cooked eggs.
Introduce new foods carefully
Give a small piece first and watch for vomiting, diarrhoea or itching. Keep extras to under about 10 percent of daily calories.
If your dog eats something toxic
Do not wait for symptoms. Call your vet or an animal poison control service straight away and tell them what, how much and when, plus your dog’s weight. Do not induce vomiting unless told to.
This list is not complete, and individual dogs can have allergies or health conditions that change the advice.