What can dogs eat? Plenty of everyday foods are fine in small, plain portions, including carrots, blueberries, cooked eggs, rice and salmon. A short list is dangerous, led by chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts. This A-Z guide sorts 77 foods we have covered into Safe, Limit and Avoid, with a link to the full answer for each.
19 safe as plain, occasional snacks. 42 in moderation, which means small portions and careful prep (no pits, seeds, skin, salt or seasoning). 16 to avoid, including 5 that are toxic. Treats and human food together should stay a small part of your dog’s daily calories; our dog calorie calculator shows your dog’s number.
Table of Contents
Foods Dogs Can Eat (Safe)
These foods are non-toxic and suit most healthy adult dogs as plain, bite-size snacks. Introduce one new food at a time and watch for loose stool.
Fruits
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Blackberries | Plain berries, about 2 calories each; no pitting needed. |
| Blueberries | Fresh or frozen; low calorie and easy to portion. |
| Kiwi | Peeled, in small cubes; never a whole fruit. |
| Pears | Flesh only; remove the core and seeds. |
| Strawberries | Washed and cut up; keep portions small for sugar. |
Vegetables
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Asparagus | Cooked, plain and chopped; trim the woody ends. |
| Bell peppers | Raw or steamed, any color, no seasoning. |
| Cabbage | Chopped and lightly cooked; skip coleslaw and sauerkraut. |
| Carrots | A crunchy, low-calorie favorite; cut to bite size. |
| Cauliflower | Small raw or steamed florets; start with one or two. |
| Celery | Very low calorie; chop small to avoid choking. |
| Cucumbers | Hydrating and light; slices or cubes. |
| Lettuce | Plain and chopped; no dressing or croutons. |
| Peas | Green peas, fresh or frozen, without butter. |
| Sweet potatoes | Cooked and plain; never raw. |
| Zucchini | Raw, steamed or roasted with nothing added. |
Protein and grains
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Eggs | Cooked plain; skip raw eggs. |
| Rice | White or brown, cooked in water only. |
| Salmon | Cooked and boneless; never raw or smoked. |
Foods Dogs Can Eat in Moderation
These are fine in small amounts when prepared the right way. Most problems come from the extras: pits, seeds, rinds, bones, sugar, salt, butter and seasoning.
Fruits
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Apples | Cored slices; never the seeds or core. |
| Bananas | A few peeled slices; high in sugar. |
| Cantaloupe | Cubes without rind or seeds. |
| Cherries | Pitted fresh flesh only; no stems or leaves. |
| Cranberries | Plain fresh or cooked; skip most sauces. |
| Figs | A bite of fresh fig; limit dried figs. |
| Mango | Ripe flesh, no skin or pit. |
| Oranges | Peeled, seedless segments; no juice. |
| Peaches | Fresh slices with the pit removed. |
| Pineapple | Peeled and cored; skip canned in syrup. |
| Pomegranate | A small pinch of seeds as a rare taste. |
| Raspberries | A small handful; high in fiber. |
| Watermelon | Seedless cubes with no rind. |
Vegetables
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Broccoli | A few plain florets; big portions cause gas. |
| Brussels sprouts | Cooked, cut up, introduced slowly. |
| Corn | Kernels only; never the cob. |
| Green beans | Plain, no-salt; skip casseroles. |
| Mushrooms | Store-bought, plain and cooked; never wild. |
| Olives | One or two plain, pitted olives. |
| Potatoes | Cooked and plain; never raw or green. |
| Pumpkin | Plain puree; not pie filling. |
| Spinach | Small portions because of oxalates. |
| Tomatoes | Ripe flesh only; no green parts or sauce. |
Meat and fish
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Pork | Lean, cooked, unseasoned and boneless. |
| Shrimp | Cooked, peeled, no tail or seasoning. |
| Tuna | Light tuna in water, now and then. |
| Turkey | Skinless, boneless, plain meat. |
Dairy
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Milk | A spoonful for dogs that tolerate lactose. |
| Cheese | Small cubes of low-fat cheese. |
| Cottage cheese | Plain, low-fat, as a topper. |
| Cream cheese | A fingertip of plain cream cheese. |
| Yogurt | Plain and unsweetened; check for xylitol. |
Nuts, grains and snacks
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Bread | A plain bite; never raisin or garlic bread. |
| Cashews | A few plain, unsalted nuts. |
| Chestnuts | Cooked sweet chestnuts; never horse chestnuts. |
| Coconut | Plain, unsweetened pieces. |
| Pasta | A spoonful of plain, cooked pasta. |
| Peanut butter | Xylitol-free and unsalted only. |
| Peanuts | Plain, unsalted and shelled. |
| Popcorn | Air-popped, no butter or salt. |
Sweet things and spices
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon | A light sprinkle in a dog-safe recipe. |
| Honey | Tiny amounts; not for puppies or diabetic dogs. |
Foods Dogs Should Avoid
Some of these are toxic. Others are not poisonous but bring choking, blockage, salt or fat risks that outweigh any benefit. For the full danger list, see what foods are toxic to dogs.
Toxic to dogs
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | Toxic; darker chocolate is more dangerous. |
| Grapes and raisins | Can cause kidney failure; call your vet. |
| Onions | All forms of the onion family are unsafe. |
| Garlic | Same family as onions; avoid seasoned food. |
| Macadamia nuts | Toxic even in small amounts. |
Risky nuts and fruit
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Almonds | Hard to digest and a choking risk. |
| Pecans | Fat, mold toxins and blockage risk. |
| Pistachios | Shells, salt and mold make them risky. |
| Walnuts | Black and moldy walnuts can be dangerous. |
| Plums | Pits, stems and leaves are hazards. |
Fatty, salty or sugary foods
| Food | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Avocado | Fatty flesh; the pit and skin are worse. |
| Bacon | Too much fat and salt. |
| Ham | High in sodium and fat. |
| Ice cream | Upsets stomachs; some flavors are toxic. |
| Gingerbread | Sugary, fatty and spiced. |
| Peppermint | Candy and oils can hide xylitol. |
5 Rules for Sharing Human Food
- Plain only: no salt, butter, oil, sugar, sauce or seasoning.
- Remove the hazards: pits, seeds, cores, rinds, shells, skin and bones.
- Cut to size: bite-size pieces for your dog, smaller for little breeds.
- Check labels for xylitol: it hides in peanut butter, yogurt and sugar-free products. See xylitol poisoning in dogs.
- Go slow with special diets: dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes or allergies need their vet’s okay first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What human foods can dogs eat every day?
Low-calorie vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, green beans and zucchini are the easiest daily extras. Keep them plain and small so your dog’s complete food stays the main meal.
What fruits can dogs eat?
Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, pears and kiwi are safe picks. Apples, bananas, mango and watermelon are fine in moderation. Grapes and raisins are never safe.
What foods are toxic to dogs?
Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and anything with xylitol are the best-known dangers. If your dog ate one, call your vet or a poison line right away.
Can dogs eat what I eat for dinner?
Usually not as served. Most dinners include onion, garlic, salt, fat or sauce. Set aside a plain, unseasoned portion of a safe food instead.
The Bottom Line
Most dogs can enjoy many plain fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in small portions. Learn the short list of toxic foods, prepare everything plain, and click any food above for portions, prep and what to do if your dog ate too much. Browse every guide in Can Dogs Eat.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- ASPCA — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Pet Poison Helpline — View source