What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?

Here's a comprehensive list of human foods which dogs can or cannot 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
Chicken	No	Yes	Dogs are fine with eating plainly-cooked chicken meat (without the bone)
Greek yogurt	No	Yes	Dogs can enjoy plain Greek yoghurt in small amounts but double-check the ingredients list for potential safety hazards
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
Plum	No	Yes	Dogs can eat a small amount of plum (excluding the seed) as long as it's in moderation
Cherry	No	Yes	Most dogs can eat the flesh of fresh cherries in small amounts
Abalone	No	Yes	You could let your dog try a small amount of plainly-cooked abalone but it isn't recommended
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
Mulberry	No	Yes	Most dogs can eat fresh mulberries in small amounts as long as it's in moderation
Cucumber	No	Yes	Cucumbers are healthy treats for dogs and are known for their hydration benefits
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
Butternut squash	No	Yes	Raw butternut squash can be hard for dogs to digest and may eventually lead to gastrointestinal upsets
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
Persimmon	No	Yes	Persimmon is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts as long as the seeds are discarded
Parsley	No	Yes	Most dogs should be fine with eating a small amount of parsley (the curly variety)
Jicama	No	Yes	Dogs can eat a small amount of fresh jicama as long as the tuberous root is cut into bite-sized pieces
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
Scallop	No	Yes	A small amount of scallop meat is safe for dogs to eat as long as the meat is properly cooked
Clam	No	Yes	A small amount of clam is safe for dogs to eat as long as the meat is properly cooked
Basil	No	Yes	A small amount of basil could be beneficial for dogs due to its anti-inflammatory property
Ginger	No	Yes	A small amount of ginger can be added to your dog's diet
Asparagus	No	Yes	Plain asparagus can be fed to dogs in small amounts
Aubergine	No	Yes	Aubergine shouldn't be given to dogs with kidney or bladder problems as they are oxalate-rich
Artichoke	No	Yes	Plain artichoke should be chopped into smaller bite-sized pieces before it's fed to dogs
Arugula	No	Yes	Arugula shouldn't be fed to dogs that suffer from thyroid-related issues
Brussels sprout	No	Yes	Raw brussel sprouts aren't recommended for dogs as they aren't easy for dogs to digest
Lamb bone	No	Yes	Thick lamb bones (uncooked) may be okay for dogs to chew on while under supervision
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
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
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
Watermelon	No	Yes	Make sure the watermelon rinds and seeds are discarded first
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
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
Butter	No	No	Dogs shouldn't be fed butter as it only consists of fat
Mint leaves	No	No	Mint leaves may cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting
Ice cream	No	No	Dogs shouldn't eat ice cream as they contain a high amount of lactose and sugar
Hot dog	No	No	Dogs shouldn't eat processed meat like hot dogs as they contain high number of sodium and preservatives
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
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
Caviar	No	No	Caviar isn't recommended for dogs due to the amount of salt it contains.
Mushroom	No	Yes	Only allow dogs to eat a small amount of store-bought mushrooms
Pineapple	No	Yes	A small amount pineapples (flesh only) can make a healthy snack for dogs
Pea	No	No	Fresh peas are fine for most dogs to eat in moderation
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
Pork	No	Yes	Only allow dogs to eat plainly-cooked pork
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
Oatmeal	No	Yes	Only allow dogs to eat a small amount of soaked oatmeal (without additional favoring and condiments)
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
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
Blueberry	No	Yes	Blueberries can make good natural treats for dogs but should only be given in small amounts
String bean	No	Yes	String beans could become a choking hazard for dogs if they aren't prepared appropriately
Prawn	No	Yes	A small amount of plainly-cooked prawn meat should be safe for most dogs unless they have allergies
Corn	No	Yes	It should be safe for dogs to eat a small amount of plain corn kernels
Dragon fruit	No	Yes	Dragon fruits can make good natural treats for dogs as long as they are given in small pieces
Nuts	Yes	No	Dog owners need to take extra care with nuts as some varieties are toxic to dogs
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.
Cotton candy	Yes	No	Avoid feeding your dog cotton candy as too much sugar may cause digestion problems.
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
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
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
White chocolate	Yes	No	White chocolate is dangerous to dogs due to the presence of theobromine
Guacamole	Yes	No	Guacamole recipes typically contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs such as onion and garlic

General Human Food Safety Tips for Dogs

Here are some general rules to consider to help you determine what human food is safe or unsafe for dogs to eat in moderation.

The 10% rule

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.

Introducing new food

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.

Offer small pieces

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.

Check the product ingredient label

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.

Lactose intolerance

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.

Keep it plain

Avoid letting your dog eat food that contains seasoning and additives. Too much salt or sugar, for example, is harmful for dogs.

Avoid 'empty' calorie food

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.

Safe cooking methods

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.

Dogs with health conditions

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.

What to Do if Your Dog Gets Sick from eating Human Food

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.