We dog owners like to feed our dogs some human food from time to time. The reality is that a lot of human foods aren't entirely safe or healthy for dogs to eat so it's important to be able to distinguish the bad from the good. We did the hard work for you and present you a list of 100+ human foods dogs should and shouldn't eat.
| Human food | Is it toxic? | Is it safe? | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain biscuit | No | Yes | Dogs can eat biscuits but make sure it doesn't contain hidden ingredients like xylitol (artificial sweetener) which are toxic to dogs |
| Plum | No | Yes | Dogs can eat a small amount of plum (excluding the seed) as long as it's in moderation |
| Rice | No | Yes | It's fine for dogs to eat plainly-cooked rice as long as it's not a direct substitute for dog food |
| Turnip | No | Yes | Cut the turnip into bite-sized pieces before feeding it to your dog |
| Turkey | No | Yes | Dogs can be fed plainly-cooked turkey meat (without the bone) |
| Sweet potato | No | Yes | It should be fine for most dogs to eat a small amount of plainly-cooked sweet potato without the skin |
| Bean | No | Yes | Certain types of beans aren't safe for dogs to eat, such as broad beans and raw kidney beans |
| Salmon | No | Yes | It's safe for most dogs to eat plainly-cooked salmon (without the bone) |
| Tomato | No | Yes | Dogs can eat the flesh of a ripe tomato |
| Carrot | No | Yes | Carrots make a healthy, low-calorie snack for dogs |
| Broccoli | No | Yes | Broccoli is safe for dogs to eat if they are first chopped into smaller bite-sized pieces |
| Raspberry | No | Yes | Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat as long as it's in moderation |
| Sesame seed | No | Yes | Sesame seeds aren't toxic to dogs but some dogs may have allergic reactions to them |
| Egg | No | Yes | Plainly-cooked eggs are safe for dogs to eat in moderation |
| Fish | No | Yes | Dogs are fine with eating many species of fish as long as they are plainly-cooked and served without bones |
| Chicken | No | Yes | Dogs are fine with eating plainly-cooked chicken meat (without the bone) |
| Abalone | No | Yes | You could let your dog try a small amount of plainly-cooked abalone but it isn't recommended |
| Mulberry | No | Yes | Most dogs can eat fresh mulberries in small amounts as long as it's in moderation |
| Tofu | No | Yes | Tofu may cause gas and bloating in dogs so only give in small amounts |
| Nectarine | No | Yes | The natural sugar and the acidic property of nectarines may cause stomach upsets so limit the amount you feed to dogs |
| Mandarin orange | No | Yes | The natural sugar and the acidic property of Mandarin oranges may cause stomach upsets so limit the amount you feed to dogs |
| Banana | No | Yes | The natural sugar found in bananas may cause stomach upsets so make sure dogs are only given bananas in moderation |
| Orange | No | Yes | The natural sugar and the acidic property of oranges may cause stomach upsets so limit the amount you feed to dogs |
| Lobster | No | Yes | A small amount of plainly-cooked lobster meat should be fine for most dogs |
| Potato | No | Yes | Most dogs should be fine with eating plainly-cooked potatoes (without the skin) |
| Date | No | Yes | Only give dates in small amounts as they contain a lot of natural sugar |
| Cottage cheese | No | Yes | Dairy products like cottage cheese should only be given in tiny amounts as dogs are lactose intolerant |
| Cheese | No | Yes | Dairy products like cheese should only be given in tiny amounts as dogs are lactose intolerant |
| Apple | No | Yes | The flesh of the apple can make a healthy snack for dogs |
| Honey | No | Yes | Honey isn't toxic but limit the amount you feed to dogs as they do contain a lot of sugar |
| Avocado | No | Yes | Most dogs should be okay with eating a small amount of ripe avocado flesh |
| Lamb bone | No | Yes | Thick lamb bones (uncooked) may be okay for dogs to chew on while under supervision |
| Greek yogurt | No | Yes | Dogs can enjoy plain Greek yoghurt in small amounts but double-check the ingredients list for potential safety hazards |
| Cherry | No | Yes | Most dogs can eat the flesh of fresh cherries in small amounts |
| Plain bread | No | Yes | Dogs can eat bread but it's best to limit the amount because bread is considered empty calories |
| Cilantro | No | Yes | A small amount of cilantro may help dogs with upset stomachs or digestion problems |
| Sweet corn | No | Yes | Plain sweet corn is safe for dogs to eat in small, infrequent amounts. |
| Couscous | No | Yes | A small amount of plain couscous should be okay for most dogs as long as they don't have sensitivities or allergies to grain. |
| Crab stick | No | Yes | Plain crab sticks are unlikely to make dogs sick as long as it's only a small amount. |
| Courgette | No | Yes | Courgettes are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are served plain and in moderation. |
| Caramel | No | No | Dogs can suffer from digestion problems if they eat too much caramel, which is basically melted sugar. |
| Rice cake | No | Yes | A small amount of plain rice cake is fine for most dogs as long as it doesn't include any ingredients or additives that are unsafe for pets. |
| Tortilla | No | Yes | A small amount of plain tortilla is fine for dogs although it's not recommended due to the lack of nutritional value and the fact that some dogs have allergies to grain. |
| Olive | No | No | Olives aren't toxic but the way a lot of store-bought olives are made can make them unhealthy for pets due to the use of brine |
| Edamame | No | Yes | A small amount of plain edamame is fine for most dogs. Avoid feeding edamame that has been salted or comes with other unhealthy additives. |
| Cranberry | No | Yes | Fresh cranberries are safe to eat in small amounts. Processed cranberries such as craisins, on the other hand, aren't safe for pets. |
| Beet | No | Yes | We recommend cutting the beet into smaller pieces so that it's easier for dogs to digest |
| Chickpea | No | Yes | Most dogs are fine with eating a small amount of plain chickpea |
| Olive oil | No | Yes | You can add olive oil to your dog's diet as long as it's in small amounts |
| Apricot | No | Yes | The flesh of ripe apricots is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts |
| Lima bean | No | Yes | A large amount of lima beans may cause bloat in dogs |
| Cucumber | No | Yes | Cucumbers are healthy treats for dogs and are known for their hydration benefits |
| Ginger | No | Yes | A small amount of ginger can be added to your dog's diet |
| Butternut squash | No | Yes | Raw butternut squash can be hard for dogs to digest and may eventually lead to gastrointestinal upsets |
| Brussels sprout | No | Yes | Raw brussel sprouts aren't recommended for dogs as they aren't easy for dogs to digest |
| Arugula | No | Yes | Arugula shouldn't be fed to dogs that suffer from thyroid-related issues |
| Artichoke | No | Yes | Plain artichoke should be chopped into smaller bite-sized pieces before it's fed to dogs |
| Aubergine | No | Yes | Aubergine shouldn't be given to dogs with kidney or bladder problems as they are oxalate-rich |
| Asparagus | No | Yes | Plain asparagus can be fed to dogs in small amounts |
| Basil | No | Yes | A small amount of basil could be beneficial for dogs due to its anti-inflammatory property |
| Sesame oil | No | No | Sesame oil isn't considered toxic to dogs but there isn't a major health benefit to letting them eat it either |
| Clam | No | Yes | A small amount of clam is safe for dogs to eat as long as the meat is properly cooked |
| Scallop | No | Yes | A small amount of scallop meat is safe for dogs to eat as long as the meat is properly cooked |
| Corn flake | No | Yes | Most dogs are fine with eating a small amount of corn flake but it isn't something you should give regularly as they can be empty calories |
| Jicama | No | Yes | Dogs can eat a small amount of fresh jicama as long as the tuberous root is cut into bite-sized pieces |
| Parsley | No | Yes | Most dogs should be fine with eating a small amount of parsley (the curly variety) |
| Persimmon | No | Yes | Persimmon is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts as long as the seeds are discarded |
| Deer bone | No | Yes | Thick deer bones (uncooked) may be okay for dogs to chew on while under supervision |
| Beef bone | No | Yes | Thick beef bones (uncooked) may be okay for dogs to chew on while under supervision |
| Watermelon | No | Yes | Make sure the watermelon rinds and seeds are discarded first |
| Ice cream | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat ice cream as they contain a high amount of lactose and sugar |
| Saltine cracker | No | No | Saltine crackers aren't healthy for dogs due to the high sodium content |
| Seaweed | No | No | Seaweeds could be a safety hazard for dogs as they may cause blockages in the dog's gastrointestinal tract |
| Corn beef | No | No | Corn beef is bad for dogs because it contains an excessive amount of salt and fat |
| Tuna | No | Yes | Consider feeding your dog other types of fish as tuna is known for having a high concentration of mercury in comparison to other species of fish |
| Cracker | No | No | Dogs shouldn't be given a large amount of crackers as some products may contain a large amount of salt |
| Turkey bacon | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat processed meat like turkey bacon as they contain high number of sodium and preservatives |
| Sausage | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat processed meat like sausage as they contain high number of sodium and preservatives |
| Bacon | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat processed meat like bacon as they contain high number of sodium and preservatives |
| Applesauce | No | Yes | Dogs should only be fed a limited amount of plain applesauce as they may contain a high amount of sugar and artificial preservatives |
| Butter | No | No | Dogs shouldn't be fed butter as it only consists of fat |
| Hot dog | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat processed meat like hot dogs as they contain high number of sodium and preservatives |
| Mint leaves | No | No | Mint leaves may cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting |
| Ham | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat processed meat like ham as they contain high number of sodium and preservatives |
| Almond | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat almonds as they aren't easy for dogs and puppies to digest |
| Sugar | No | No | Dogs can suffer from digestion problems following excessive sugar intake |
| Popcorn | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat popcorn, especially salted and buttered popcorn, due to the high salt and fat content |
| Sherbet | No | No | Dogs shouldn't be fed sherbets as they may cause stomach upsets due to the presence of lactose, fat, and sugar |
| Sour cream | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat sour cream as the lactose and fat content may cause stomach upsets |
| Turkey bone | No | No | Dogs shouldn't be fed turkey bones as they introduce the risk of internal bleeding and choking |
| Rib bone | No | No | Dogs shouldn't be given rib bones as they introduce the risk of internal bleeding and choking |
| Pork bone | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat pork bones as they introduce the risk of internal bleeding and choking |
| Chicken bone | No | No | Dogs shouldn't eat chicken bones as they introduce the risk of internal bleeding and choking |
| Potato chip | No | No | Processed snacks like potato chips aren't healthy for dogs due to the amount of salt and artificial preservatives |
| Coconut | No | Yes | Avoid giving dogs too much coconut as the flesh and milk contains oils that may cause issues like stomach upsets and loose stools |
| Caviar | No | No | Caviar isn't recommended for dogs due to the amount of salt it contains. |
| Pear | No | Yes | The flesh of fresh pears are fine for most dogs to eat as a treat |
| Peanut butter | No | Yes | Only allow dogs to eat natural peanut butter that don't contain toxic ingredients like xylitol |
| Peach | No | Yes | The flesh of fresh peaches are fine for most dogs to eat as long as it's in small amounts |
| Mushroom | No | Yes | Only allow dogs to eat a small amount of store-bought mushrooms |
| Oatmeal | No | Yes | Only allow dogs to eat a small amount of soaked oatmeal (without additional favoring and condiments) |
| Pea | No | No | Fresh peas are fine for most dogs to eat in moderation |
| Mango | No | Yes | Discard the mango pit and skin as both may cause blockage in the dog's digestive tract |
| Honeydew melon | No | Yes | Honeydew melons can make healthy treats for dogs as long as it's given in moderation |
| Haddock | No | Yes | Only allowed dogs to eat plainly-cooked haddock (without the bones) |
| Beef | No | Yes | Only allow dogs to eat plainly-cooked beef |
| Strawberry | No | Yes | Strawberries are fine for most dogs as long as you don't also give them leaves and stems |
| Fig | No | Yes | Figs should be fed to dogs in limited amounts due to the high amount of natural sugar |
| Dragon fruit | No | Yes | Dragon fruits can make good natural treats for dogs as long as they are given in small pieces |
| Corn | No | Yes | It should be safe for dogs to eat a small amount of plain corn kernels |
| Celery | No | Yes | Dogs might suffer from mild gastrointestinal issues due to the difficulty of digesting celery stems |
| Grapefruit | No | No | Dogs may suffer from mild gastrointestinal problems due to the acidic content of grapefruit |
| Cream cheese | No | Yes | Plain cream cheese should only be fed to dogs in small amounts due to the lactose and fat content |
| Blackberry | No | Yes | Blackberries can make good natural treats for dogs but should only be given in small amounts |
| Pineapple | No | Yes | A small amount pineapples (flesh only) can make a healthy snack for dogs |
| Blueberry | No | Yes | Blueberries can make good natural treats for dogs but should only be given in small amounts |
| Plain Yoghurt | No | Yes | A small amount of plain yoghurt will be fine for most dogs as long as there isn't any toxic ingredients like xylitol |
| String bean | No | Yes | String beans could become a choking hazard for dogs if they aren't prepared appropriately |
| Pork | No | Yes | Only allow dogs to eat plainly-cooked pork |
| Prawn | No | Yes | A small amount of plainly-cooked prawn meat should be safe for most dogs unless they have allergies |
| Cotton candy | Yes | No | Avoid feeding your dog cotton candy as too much sugar may cause digestion problems. |
| Onion | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat onions as they contain compounds like N-propyl disulfide which can lead to dangerous health conditions like anemia |
| Jelly bean | Yes | No | Jelly beans can be toxic to dogs, especially if they make use of artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. |
| Lemon | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat lemons as they contain compounds like psoralens and essential oils such as limonene, both of which may cause gastrointestinal upsets |
| Lime | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat lime as they contain compounds like psoralens and essential oils such as limonene, both of which may cause gastrointestinal upsets |
| Taro | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat taro as it contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which may cause mouth pain and tissue irritation |
| Mustard | Yes | No | Mustard and mustard seeds can have mild toxicity to dogs |
| Grapes | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat grapes as the toxicity mechanism of grapes is known to cause serious health issues for dogs |
| Raisin | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat raisins as the toxicity mechanism of grapes is known to cause serious health issues for dogs |
| Chocolate | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat chocolate as the presence of theobromine makes it toxic to pets |
| Garlic | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat garlic as the the presence of thiosulfate can cause serious health problems like anemia |
| Baked bean | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat baked beans due to the high sodium and fat content as well as the possibility of containing toxic ingredients |
| Acorn | Yes | No | Dogs must never be given acorns as they contain a toxic compound called tannin which can cause damage to the dog's liver and kidneys |
| Roast beef | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat roast beef as typical recipes contain toxic ingredients like garlic and onion |
| Macadamia nut | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat macadamia nuts as these nuts are known to cause symptoms like body tremors and vomiting |
| Nuts | Yes | No | Dog owners need to take extra care with nuts as some varieties are toxic to dogs |
| Guacamole | Yes | No | Guacamole recipes typically contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs such as onion and garlic |
| White chocolate | Yes | No | White chocolate is dangerous to dogs due to the presence of theobromine |
| Chewing gum | Yes | No | Dogs shouldn't eat chewing gum due to the risk of blockage as well as risk of containing toxic ingredients like xylitol |
Here are some general rules to consider to help you determine what human food is safe or unsafe for dogs to eat in moderation.
Just because certain foods are safe for dogs doesn't mean you should be letting them eat a lot of it. Follow the 10% rule where human food and treats shouldn't consist of more than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake.
Whenever you introduce a new food or treat to your dog, you should always test it first by only letting the dog eat a tiny bite-size piece. This will allow you to monitor for allergies and other health complications.
Certain foods, such as fruits, may pose a choking risk for dogs due to having a hard texture. Always purée, mash, or cut the human food into smaller pieces to reduce the risk of obstructions forming in the dog's gastrointestinal tract.
Always check what ingredients a store-bought food contains before you let your dog eat it. Certain products may contain hidden ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Xylitol, for example, is toxic to dogs and used in many dessert recipes and products.
Dogs are lactose intolerant so it's best to not feed them any foods that use dairy products as a primary ingredient. Dogs with lactose intolerance that eat dairy-based products may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive symptoms.
Avoid letting your dog eat food that contains seasoning and additives. Too much salt or sugar, for example, is harmful for dogs.
Avoid feeding your dog human foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients, such as plain bread. These foods can lead to weight gains and increase the long-term risk of health problems like heart disease.
some vegetables are better-served cooked than raw. We would suggest roasting, baking, or steaming the vegetables before you feed them to your dog. Boiling works as well but nutrients may leak out from the vegetables during the boiling process.
We strongly consulting a veterinarian if your dog has a chronic health condition like diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and food sensitivities. The diet of these dogs is a lot more restricted. Some of the foods we list as 'safe' in the database might not actually be safe for them due to specific health conditions.
Is your dog not feeling well within a few hours of eating something? We recommend calling the vet immediately to determine whether an emergency visit is necessary. The severity of symptoms from eating unsafe human foods can range from mild to severe.
For mild cases, dogs may just end up with a stomach upset or temporary diarrhea which will eventually disappear after a couple of days. In such cases, the vet may just ask you to monitor the dog, especially if it only involves a tiny amount of human food.
Severe cases, on the other hand, can be really dangerous for dogs. For example, there was news recently of a dog that needed life-saving emergency surgery after eating several packets of chocolate coins. It's not just the chocolate which is dangerous to dogs, it's the wrapper as well (which can cause obstructions in the dog's digestive system). Never assume your dog is okay after eating unsafe human foods, even if their behavior suggests they are fine. Some dogs may instinctively try to hide their sickness so it's best to call the vet for advice.
If your vet isn't immediately available then another option is to call an organization like the Pet Poison Hotline. They may also be able to give you emergency advice if your dog ate something he shouldn't have.