100+ Human Food Dogs Can & Can't Eat
Dogs and humans handle food differently. For this reason, there are many human foods that aren't perfectly safe or healthy for dogs to eat. Use this database to understand what food is safe for dogs to consume. Click here to learn how to read this table.
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Food Item |
Consumption Level |
Allergy Risk |
General Rules and Safety Tips on Feeding Dogs Human Food
In addition to the above list, here are some general rules to follow when it comes to understanding what food dogs can and cannot eat safely.
- Sugar/Salt Content: avoid giving your dog food that is high in salt or sugar content. Dogs can face numerous health consequences as a result of consuming too much salt or sugar. For example, eating a lot of salt may cause your dog to become very thirsty, and in the worst case scenario, lead to sodium ion poisoning.
- Artificial Preservatives: while it isn't easy to do, you should, when possible, avoid feeding your dog food that contains a wide mix of artificial preservatives. A few studies have linked artificial preservatives to unwanted health issues, such as the development of tumours.
- Fat Content: a high fat diet can also lead to undesired health concerns, such as obesity, for dogs. Pet owners should ensure their dogs aren't consuming much more than the recommended daily fat limit.
- Fruit Seeds: to be on the safe side, you should always take out the seeds from fruits before they are given to dogs. When consumed in large amounts, the seeds of certain fruits, such as apples and watermelons, may cause health problems either due to containing a toxic substance or due to causing physical issues such as intestinal blockage.
- Introducing New Food: dogs may suffer from acute digestive problems if they are suddenly introduced to a new food or diet. If you find yourself in such scenario, always feed your dog a small amount at first to make sure he doesn't suffer from any adverse reaction.
- Raw Food: it's okay to feed your pet a raw food diet and there are many dog owners who can attest to the benefits of such diets for dogs. You should, however, also understand that just like to us humans, there are potential risks with consuming raw meat. For example, raw meat that has not been prepared in hygienic conditions may contain bacteria that poses a threat to the dog's health.
How to Read this Food Database
There are three types of information you can learn about by browsing through this database:
- Consumption Level: a suggestion on what is a safe amount to feed your dog. 'In Moderation' would indicate it's safe to feed your dog the food item at any time, but overdoing it may lead to certain health or dietary concerns. 'Limited Amount' would indicate that it would be okay to feed your dog the food item every once in a while, but you should seek a healthier alternative if available. 'Avoid Feeding' would indicate that the food item has a known health risk so it should be kept away from your dog's reach.
- Allergy Risk: this would indicate whether the food item has any known food allergy or intolerance risks for dogs.
- Details: click the green icon on the left to read additional details on the food item. For example, some food items are safe for dogs to consume when cooked, but not when they are raw.
