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Care4Dog · Food Safety
Can dogs eat that?
74 common foods with a clear traffic-light rating — 33 safe, 27 in moderation, 14 toxic. Every rating is backed by an ASPCA, AKC, VCA, or Merck source and dated.
Toxic — do not feed(14)
🍺 AlcoholNo — toxic in every form.→🥑 AvocadoNo — the pit, skin, and leaves contain toxic persin.→🍫 ChocolateNo — toxic in every form.→☕ CoffeeNo, coffee is toxic to dogs because of its caffeine content.→🧄 GarlicNo, garlic is toxic to dogs in all forms.→🍇 GrapesNo, grapes are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.→🍋 LemonNo, dogs should not eat lemons.→🌰 Macadamia NutsNo, macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs.→🌰 NutmegNo, nutmeg is not safe for dogs to eat.→🧅 OnionsNo, onions are toxic to dogs in any form.→🍇 RaisinsNo, raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.→🧂 Salt (excess)No, excess salt is dangerous for dogs and can cause potentially fatal salt poisoning.→🌰 WalnutsNo, walnuts should be avoided because they pose serious mold, fat, and obstruction risks.→⚠️ XylitolNo, xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs even in small amounts.→
In moderation(27)
🌰 AlmondsNo, sweet almonds are not toxic but they are not recommended.→🍞 Bread (plain)Yes, plain bread in small amounts.→🥦 BroccoliYes, in very small quantities.→🥜 CashewsYes, a few plain unsalted cashews at a time.→🧀 CheeseYes, in small amounts as an occasional treat.→🍗 Chicken (raw)No, raw chicken carries a Salmonella and Listeria risk.→🌿 CinnamonOnly tiny amounts; not toxic but it can irritate.→🥥 Coconut WaterOnly in small amounts, coconut water is a safe occasional treat for dogs.→🌽 Corn (kernels)Yes, plain corn kernels off the cob are safe for dogs in small amounts.→🥩 HamOnly a tiny amount occasionally; ham is high in salt and fat and not recommended.→🍯 HoneyYes, honey is safe for dogs in small quantities.→🍦 Ice CreamOnly rarely; ice cream can cause digestive upset and may contain toxic ingredients.→🥛 MilkOnly in small amounts; many dogs are lactose intolerant.→🍄 Mushrooms (store-bought)Only plain, store-bought mushrooms are considered safe, and even those are best avoided.→🍊 OrangesYes, dogs can eat oranges, but only in limited amounts.→🍝 Pasta (plain)Yes, plain cooked pasta is safe for dogs in small amounts.→🍑 PeachesYes, dogs can eat fresh peach flesh in moderation, but never the pit.→🥒 PicklesOnly plain pickles in tiny amounts, and plain cucumber is a far better choice.→🫘 PistachiosPistachios are not toxic, but it is best to avoid feeding them to dogs.→🍿 Popcorn (plain)Yes, plain air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs in small quantities.→🥩 Pork (cooked)Yes, plain cooked pork is safe in moderation, but avoid fatty and processed cuts.→🥔 Potato (cooked)Yes, dogs can eat plain cooked potatoes in moderation, but never raw or green ones.→🥬 SpinachOnly in small, infrequent amounts, because spinach is very high in oxalic acid.→⬜ TofuOnly in small amounts, since tofu is not toxic but is not nutritionally complete for dogs.→🍅 Tomato (ripe)Only ripe, red tomato flesh in small amounts, and never the green parts of the plant.→🐟 TunaOnly a tiny amount occasionally, because tuna is high in mercury.→🫙 Yogurt (plain)Only plain, unsweetened yogurt in small amounts, since many dogs struggle with lactose.→
Safe to eat(33)
🍎 AppleYes, in moderation with seeds and core removed.→🍌 BananaYes, in moderation as an occasional treat.→🫑 Bell PepperYes, plain and in moderation.→🫐 BlackberriesYes, in moderation.→🫐 BlueberriesYes, in moderation.→🥕 CarrotsYes, raw or cooked.→🥬 CeleryYes, in moderation.→🍗 Chicken (cooked)Yes, plain cooked and boneless.→🥥 Coconut (flesh)Yes, unsweetened flesh in moderation.→🥒 CucumberYes, cucumber is a safe, low-calorie, hydrating snack for dogs.→🥚 EggsYes, fully cooked eggs are a safe, protein-rich treat for dogs.→🫛 Green BeansYes, plain green beans are a safe, nutritious treat for dogs.→🥝 KiwiYes, dogs can eat small amounts of peeled kiwi as an occasional treat.→🥭 MangoYes, peeled and pitted mango is a safe treat for dogs in moderation.→🥣 OatmealYes, dogs can eat plain, cooked oatmeal in moderation.→🍈 PapayaYes, dogs can eat papaya flesh in moderation as an occasional treat.→🥜 Peanut ButterYes, dogs can eat plain, xylitol-free peanut butter in moderation.→🫛 PeasYes, dogs can eat plain green peas in moderation.→🍍 PineappleYes, dogs can eat raw pineapple flesh in small amounts.→🎃 PumpkinYes, plain pure pumpkin is safe and beneficial for dogs.→🎃 Pumpkin SeedsYes, plain shelled pumpkin seeds are safe for dogs in small amounts.→🌾 QuinoaYes, dogs can eat plain cooked quinoa in moderation.→🍓 RaspberriesYes, dogs can eat raspberries in moderation.→🍚 Rice (plain)Yes, plain cooked white rice is safe for dogs and is often used to settle an upset stomach.→🐟 Salmon (cooked)Yes, plain cooked, boneless salmon is safe and one of the healthiest fish for dogs.→🐠 SardinesYes, plain cooked, low-sodium sardines are safe for dogs and a good source of omega-3s and calcium.→🍤 ShrimpYes, dogs can eat plain cooked, shelled shrimp in small amounts.→🍓 StrawberriesYes, strawberries are safe for most dogs as an occasional treat when given in moderation.→🌻 Sunflower SeedsYes, but only shelled, unsalted sunflower seeds in moderation.→🍠 Sweet PotatoYes, cooked, peeled sweet potato is safe and nutritious for dogs.→🦃 Turkey (cooked)Yes, plain cooked turkey without skin, bones, or seasoning is safe for dogs.→🍉 WatermelonYes, seedless watermelon flesh without the rind is a safe, hydrating treat.→🥒 ZucchiniYes, plain zucchini is a safe, low-calorie treat and the squash most easily digested by dogs.→
Frequently asked questions
How are the safety ratings decided?
Every food's rating (safe, in moderation, or toxic) comes from an authoritative source — the ASPCA Animal Poison Control lists, the American Kennel Club's vet-reviewed nutrition articles, VCA Animal Hospitals, or the Merck Veterinary Manual. Each food page links its source and shows the date it was checked.
What are the most toxic foods for dogs?
The most dangerous are grapes and raisins (kidney failure), xylitol (a sweetener in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), chocolate, onions and garlic, macadamia nuts, and alcohol. Even small amounts can cause serious harm — keep these completely out of reach.
What should I do if my dog ate something toxic?
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately (a fee may apply). Have the food, the amount eaten, and your dog's weight ready. Do not induce vomiting without professional guidance — some toxins do more damage coming back up.
Ratings sourced from ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the American Kennel Club, VCA Animal Hospitals, and the Merck Veterinary Manual. Last checked: 2026-07-20. General information only — not veterinary advice.