The Ultimate Guide to What Dogs Can’t Eat

Ever thought about giving your dog a bite of dinner and wondered, “What foods can’t dogs eat?”

There are human foods that are completely safe for dogs, as well as foods that are dangerous and even potentially fatal. Many pet owners learn about toxic foods the hard way, after their dog has ingested something and started having abnormal symptoms.

Since dogs are naturally curious and have an amazing sense of smell, they're often inspired to snatch food off of counters, grab it out of garbage cans, and steal it from grills. Other times, well-intentioned pet owners offer tables scraps or human foods without understanding the danger involved.

To keep you informed, let’s review what dogs can eat, and what should be kept out of their diet.

What Kind of Food Should Dogs Eat?

There are many human foods that are “safe” for dogs. However, dogs do not need human food. What dogs need is high-quality food formulated for their size, age, body condition, activity, and any underlying medical problems (if they have them). Learn more by reading Nutrition for Dogs.

What Is the Ideal Dog Treat?

The ideal dog treat is one made of high-quality ingredients that is moderate to low in calories, consistent in ingredients (thus unlikely to cause stomach upset from bag to bag), very appealing to your dog, and safe.

Higher-quality treats tend to be more consistently produced, so it is best to avoid discount and supermarket brands if possible.

There are also many human foods that you can feed your dog safely. By safety, I mean the foods listed below are not toxic to dogs. However, large quantities of any food can lead to problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and/or pancreatitis. Treats should make up less than 10% of your dog’s caloric intake.

A List of Safe Human Foods and Treats for Dogs

These foods are considered to be fresh, seedless, shelled, sliced, peeled, and in some cases, washed, and/or cooked depending on the particular product.

• Almonds
• Apples (small amounts without seeds)
• Asparagus
• Bananas
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Broccoli (cooked or raw; clean/washed)
• Brussels sprouts
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots (cooked or raw; clean/washed)
• Cauliflower
• Celery (cooked or raw; clean/washed)
• Cheese
• Chicken (cooked)
• Clementine
• Cooked fish (like salmon)
• Cooked green beans
• Cooked ground beef or steak
• Cottage cheese
• Cranberries
• Eggs
• Fish
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Kiwis
• Lunch meat (cooked and fresh)
• Oatmeal
• Oranges
• Papaya
• Pasta
• Peanuts
• Pineapple
• Popcorn
• Pork (cooked)
• Potato (raw or cooked; plain or sweet)
• Pumpkin (cooked)
• Rice or rice cake
• Shrimp
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Tangerine
• Turkey (cooked)
• Watermelon
• Yogurt

Tips on Feeding Human Food to Your Dog

• Treats are never a replacement for your dog’s regular diet.
• Consider low-calorie treats for dogs with weight control problems.
• Feed only fresh food. Moldy or rotten food can cause gastrointestinal upset.

A List of Foods Dogs Can’t Eat

Foods that veterinarians DO NOT RECOMMEND feeding to dogs include:

• Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, and Plums. Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds, and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound, and signs of toxicity include anxiety, dilated pupils, labored breathing, fast breathing, and shock. Small pieces of cleaned apple without the seeds can be safe.
• Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark, and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic in some animals. The toxic component in the avocado is “persin,” which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen, and sac around the heart, which can occur in some animals such as cattle and horses. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause symptoms is unknown. The biggest danger of avocado in dogs is the ingestion of the pit that can cause life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction.
• Baked Goods. Products that are made with xylitol are highly toxic to dogs. Xylitol is a sweeter used in place of sugar because it is lower in calories. It is also an ingredient in many different types of gums and many products for people with Diabetes, due to its low glycemic index. It can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. A leavening agent is a common ingredient in baked goods that produces a gas, causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder consists of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate, or a mixture of the three. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium, and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure, or muscle spasms.
• Bones. Bones aren’t safe for dogs. This can be due to the danger of them getting stuck or caught in the mouth, sharp splinters injuring the intestines, risk of constipation when passing relatively indigestible bone fragments, as well as possible bacterial contamination that can lead to illness.
• Bread Dough. Dough contains yeast which rises in moist, warm environments, such as in the stomach. After ingestion, the rising dough can expand in the stomach and decrease blood flow. Fermentation of the yeast can be reduced to alcohol, causing signs of intoxication.
• Chewing Gum. Gums that are made with xylitol can be toxic.
• Chocolate. Chocolate, in addition to having a high-fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. Learn more about the specific amount of each toxin that is based on body weight in this article: Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs.
• Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get “caffeine” toxicity. The symptoms are very similar to those of chocolate toxicity and can be just as or even more serious.
• Dairy Products. Human dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high-fat content and, like other foods with high-fat content, there is a risk of pancreatitis. The second reason is that dogs poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some dogs more than others and can cause issues including gas and diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese are tolerated by most dogs, but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether.
• Diet Foods. Foods made for weight loss or diabetes may include xylitol.
• Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty foods are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers, or from the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any dog, but Miniature or Toy Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often evidenced by the hunched posture or “splinting” of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy.
• Grapes and Raisins. Ingestion of grapes and/or raisins can cause kidney failure in some dogs. Pet owners often feed grapes thinking they are a healthy treat or offer a piece of a cookie containing raisins. Aggressive, and sometimes prolonged, treatment may be necessary to give the affected dog a chance at survival. Despite testing, the reason for the kidney failure and the amount necessary for toxicity remains unknown. Learn more about Grape and Raisin Toxicity.
• Onions and Garlic. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions, which can result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea, or severe gastrointestinal distress. If large amounts of onion or garlic are ingested or onions are a daily part of your dog’s diet, their red blood cells may become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient in onions and garlic, known as thiosulphate.
• Peanut Butter. Some peanut butter manufacturers add artificial sweeteners like xylitol to peanut butter, which is toxic for dogs. Learn more about Peanut Butter Toxicity in Dogs.
• Rawhides. Like bones, rawhides can also get stuck in the esophagus or stomach of dogs, causing health issues. There is also a risk of bacterial contamination. Although this is not human food, it is worth mentioning with the goal of preventing your dog from getting sick. Learn more about The Good and Bad of Rawhides.
• Table Scraps. Scraps, especially those that are fatty can cause gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis in dogs. Some dogs tolerate table scraps well, but others can become very ill.

The Best Treats for Dogs

When shopping for treats, look for the seal of approval from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which publishes feed regulations and ingredient definitions.

The best treats for dogs are either kibble from their regular dog food or treats made for dogs that meet the AAFCO requirements. If the dog food or treat follows their guidelines, the label will include a statement that proclaims it as, “formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for Puppies/Adults/Senior.”

Some companies create treats specifically to be compliant with the AAFCO standards.

It is not a requirement to meet AAFCO standards in order to sell pet food or treats, so buyers beware. It is also possible to make your own dog treats. Check out this recipe:

• Healthy Treats Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits Pumpkin Dog Treats