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You can also search for foods that are 👍 safe or 👎 unsafe

Read the tips below before sharing any food with dogs

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👍 Apples

Apples are a safe treat for dogs, but dogs should avoid the core, stem, and seeds, because they can be a choking hazard. The seeds also contain small amounts of cyanide, a toxic substance. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of peeled apples, without the core, seeds, or stem.

👍 Artichokes

Artichokes are not toxic for dogs, so they can safely eat them. Due to their toughness, dogs may have difficulty chewing and digesting artichokes, so they should be cooked thoroughly and cut into small pieces. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked artichokes.

👍 Bananas

Bananas are a safe treat for dogs, as long as the peel is removed, as they are hard to digest, can be a choking hazard, or can cause a gastrointestinal blockage. Like many other fruits, bananas contain a fair amount of sugar, so moderation is key. A whole banana is generally too big of a serving for a dog. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of peeled bananas.

👍 Beets

Beets are non-toxic for dogs. Dogs can eat fresh beets, but should avoid canned beets due to the presence of added salt and preservatives, which can irritate a dog's digestive system. Dogs can eat fresh, plain beets.

👍 Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are a non-toxic, safe snack for dogs. The outer skin of a bell pepper can be tough and difficult to chew, so you can steam or puree the pepper to make it easier for your dog to consume and digest. The seeds and stems can cause indigestion and should be removed. In general, large dogs should eat half of a pepper, at the most, and small dogs should eat a quarter of a pepper, at the most. Dogs should never eat spicy peppers, such as jalapeño or Chili peppers. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned bell pepper—cooked, frozen, or raw.

👍 Blueberries

Blueberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more, and have been shown to improve the health of animals, as well as humans. This fruit is a safe snack for both large and small dogs, and most pups love them. Dogs can eat either fresh or frozen blueberries. They do not need to be cut up, but do use caution, especially with smaller dogs, as a choking risk does exist.

👍 Broccoli

Broccoli is a safe treat for dogs, in small amounts. Broccoli florets contain a substance called isothiocyanates, which improves the intestinal muscle's ability to push food and waste through the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some dogs, with symptoms ranging from gas to diarrhea. Broccoli stalks can also cause a gastrointestinal obstruction, especially in small dogs. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned broccoli—cooked, frozen, or raw.

👍 Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a safe treat for dogs, in small amounts. Brussels sprouts contain a substance called isothiocyanates, which improves the intestinal muscle's ability to push food and waste through the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some dogs, with symptoms ranging from gas to diarrhea. Brussels sprouts should be served cooked, as raw sprouts can be difficult for dogs to digest. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked Brussels sprouts.

👍 Cabbage

Plain, cooked cabbage is perfectly safe for dogs to eat in limited portions. Too much cabbage can lead dogs to develop gas and, less commonly, a swollen thyroid.

👍 Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon are excellent, nutritious, low-calorie snacks for dogs. Their high water and fiber content promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation and dehydration. Melon rinds, however, are tough and fibrous and should not be given to dogs. Ingesting rinds or seeds can put dogs at risk of experiencing gastrointestinal upset, choking, or even having a gastrointestinal impaction. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of cantaloupe flesh.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Melon, Honeydew Melon

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon are excellent, nutritious, low-calorie snacks for dogs. Their high water and fiber content promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation and dehydration. Melon rinds, however, are tough and fibrous and should not be given to dogs. Ingesting rinds or seeds can put dogs at risk of experiencing gastrointestinal upset, choking, or even having a gastrointestinal impaction. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of cantaloupe flesh.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Carrots

Carrots are a safe snack for dogs. Cold or frozen carrots are cheap and edible chew toys for dogs, can help relieve teething discomfort for puppies, and can help improve your dog's dental health, in general. Dogs shouldn't eat whole carrots, however, as they can be a choking hazard. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned carrots—cooked, frozen, or raw.

👍 Celery

Plain celery is a safe treat for dogs. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned celery—cooked or raw.

👍 Chicken Meat, Poultry

Plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked chicken is not toxic to dogs, as long as it's cooked. Feeding dogs raw chicken puts them at risk of salmonella or bacterial infections. Chicken skin and bones should be avoided, however. Chicken skin is full of fat, which can lead to digestive issues and even pancreatitis, and chicken bones are very brittle and if ingested, can lead to choking, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, especially if they splinter. Dogs should never eat chicken that was cooked with butter or oils or seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices. For dogs, this is a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset at best, and pancreatitis at worst. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked chicken, but should avoid chicken bones.

👍 Corn

While corn has many nutritional benefits and is safe for your dog in small amounts, corn on the cob is a choking hazard and can cause a serious intestinal blockage. Even small dogs, with enough determination and/or time, can chew a corn cob down small enough to swallow it. Dogs can eat plain, unseasoned, cooked corn, without the cob.

👍 Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a safe, hydrating treat for dogs, as long as they are cut into bite-size pieces, and fed in moderation. A whole cucumber is generally too big of a serving for a dog. However, dogs should not eat pickled cucumbers (AKA pickles), due to their added salt and sugar. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, fresh cucumbers.

👍 Eggs

Dogs can eat eggs as long as they are cooked thoroughly. Raw eggs may contain a type of bacteria called salmonella, which can cause food poisoning in both humans and dogs.

👍 Green Beans, String Beans

Green beans are a safe treat for dogs to eat, as long as they are cut into pieces, as whole green beans can be a choking hazard. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked, raw, or frozen green beans.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Ice Cubes

Ice cubes are not dangerous for dogs to eat. It is unlikely that eating ice cubes will cause your dog to choke or suffer a chipped tooth, or bloat, although there have been cases where veterinarians were suspicious of ice cubes playing a part in dogs developing these conditions.

👍 Greens

Arugula Greens, Green Leaf Lettuce, Iceberg Lettuce, Lettuce Greens, Red Leaf Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, etc.

Dogs can eat romaine, arugula, or iceberg lettuce, but should avoid kale and spinach. Romaine, arugula, and iceberg lettuce is a hydrating, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Spinach is very high in oxalic acid, which blocks the body's ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage. Kale contains several potentially harmful natural compounds, including calcium oxalate—which could lead to kidney and bladder stones—and isothiocyanates, that can cause mild to potentially severe gastric irritation. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain lettuce with no dressing.

👍 Red Meat, Beef, Steak

Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, boneless, cooked red meat, but should avoid meat bones. Any meat that is high in fat or cooked with butter or oils or seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices can be a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset at best, and pancreatitis at worst. Dogs should not be given raw meat or meat bones. Not only can they carry bacteria like salmonella or e-coli, meat bones can also be a choking hazard and cause dogs digestive upset, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, especially if they splinter.

👍 Peaches

Peaches are a safe snack for dogs, without the pit, stem, and leaves, which all contain cyanide. The pit is also a choking hazard which can also become obstructed in your dog's gastrointestinal tract. Dogs should not eat canned or preserved peaches, due to their high sugar content and potential to contain preservatives or artificial sweeteners, which as xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, fresh peaches, but avoid the pit, steam, and leaves.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Pears

Pears are a safe snack for dogs. Dogs should only eat pear slices, not the core or any other parts containing seeds. Pear seeds contain traces of the toxin cyanide and therefore, are toxic in large quantities. Pear seeds can also be a choking hazard for dogs. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain pears, with the seeds removed.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Peas

Green Peas, Snow Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, etc.

Green peas are a safe treat for dogs and are often included as an ingredient in commercial dog food. Dogs with kidney problems should avoid peas due to their purines content. Purines are a naturally occurring chemical compound which produce uric acid that's filtered through the kidneys. Too much uric acid can lead to kidney stones and other kidney conditions, and dogs with pre-existing kidney problems are more prone to developing complications. Pea pods can be a choking hazard for dogs, and therefore dogs should only be given shelled peas. Dogs can eat plain, unseasoned, fresh, cooked, or frozen snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas.

Caution: Recent research has suggested that several foods, such as peas, legumes, and potatoes, while not toxic, may not be appropriate to be fed to dogs regularly. Read more.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Pineapples

Pineapple is a safe treat for dogs, but should be limited due to its high amount of natural sugar. Pineapple skin and the core should be removed as they can cause obstructions in your dog's mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract. Canned pineapple and the syrup its canned with should be avoided due to the high content of added sugars. Dogs can eat a few bite-size pieces of fresh, frozen, or grilled pineapple, without the skin or core.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Pumpkin

Pumpkins are safe for dogs to eat. Dogs should not eat pumpkin-pie filling, however, because it usually has sugar and other additives that can be toxic to dogs. Dogs can eat plain raw, cooked, or canned pumpkin, without any sugar, spices, or other additives.

👍 Quinoa

Dogs can eat plain, cooked, unseasoned quinoa. Previously, there was concern that a type of chemical naturally found on quinoa could be damaging to dogs, but the amount of saponin found on quinoa is typically too small to create any health problems. Washing the quinoa prior to cooking removes most of the saponin.

👍 Radishes

Radishes are safe for dogs in small amounts. Like carrots, these tough, hardy veggies can also serve as natural chew toys and teeth cleansers for dogs. Avoid feeding your dog wild radishes and their flowers. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned radishes.

👍 Rice

Dogs can eat plain, unseasoned, cooked brown or white rice. However, rice, especially white rice, can raise blood sugar levels, so dogs with diabetes should only eat it in small amounts.

👍 Squash

Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Yellow Squash, etc.

Squash is one of the best vegetables to feed dogs. Due to its high nutrient content and low calories, fat, and cholesterol, it's a great treat for overweight dogs. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned squash—cooked, frozen, or raw.

👍 Strawberries

Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, fresh or frozen strawberries. Strawberries are a safe treat for dogs. Dogs should not eat canned strawberries or strawberries in syrup.

Caution: Dogs should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a safe food for dogs, but they should be ripe, and should not be served raw. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked, peeled, sweet potatoes.

Caution: Recent research has suggested that several foods, such as peas, legumes, and potatoes, while not toxic, may not be appropriate to be fed to dogs regularly. Read more.

👍 Turkey Meat, Poultry

Plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked turkey is not toxic to dogs. Turkey skin and bones should be avoided, however. Turkey skin is full of fat, which can lead to digestive issues and even pancreatitis, and turkey bones are very brittle and if ingested, can lead to choking, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, especially if they splinter. Dogs also should never eat holiday turkey or any turkey cooked with butter or oils or seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices. For dogs, this is a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset at best, and pancreatitis at worst. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked turkey, but should avoid turkey bones.

👍 Watermelon

Watermelon is a low-calorie health-food powerhouse, and at ~92% water, watermelon flesh is a great source of hydration for both humans and dogs alike. The rind, however, can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, and seeds can cause an intestinal blockage. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of watermelon flesh, without the seeds or rind.

👍 Zucchini

Zucchini is one of the best vegetables to feed dogs. Due to its high nutrient content and low calories, fat, and cholesterol, it's a great treat for overweight dogs. Dogs can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned zucchini—cooked, frozen, or raw.

Tips

When sharing food with dogs, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
  • Ask your veterinarian before feeding your dog anything—especially if they take medication or have any medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, allergies, etc.). Some medication can interact with foods, so don't take any chances!
  • Any foods dogs are eating for the first time should be introduced in small quantities. Monitor them after they eat it, and if they experience any negative symptoms, don't feed it to them again.
  • Any foods outside of your dog's normal diet should make up less than 10% of their daily food intake. For example, if your dog eats 5 cups of food per day, they shouldn't eat more than ½ cup of treats (e.g. ¼ cup of blueberries, and a couple of baby carrots). Any foods fed to dogs in large amounts can lead to digestive upset, so moderation is truly key.
  • Any foods shared with dogs should be cut into bite-size pieces, with all choking hazards removed (e.g. pits, peels, seeds). These choking hazards can even become obstructed in your dogs gastrointestinal tract. Never share these things with dogs, even if they are perfectly normal for humans to eat.
  • Dogs shouldn't eat foods with added salt, oils, sugar, seasonings, sauces, or any other variations. These additions, while delicious, often contain ingredients that are harmful, if not toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, or even xylitol. Dogs should not eat foods that were prepared with these ingredients, either.
  • Dogs shouldn't eat high fat foods, even if they are generally considered healthy for us. Dogs aren't built to eat large amounts of fat and these foods can cause dogs to get gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas which can range from mild to severe. Symptoms are usually vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. This can be an emergency situation and requires immediate veterinary treatment.
  • Dogs shouldn't eat processed foods such as baked foods, boxed snacks, fast food, etc. Aside from being unhealthy and high in fat, they often conceal ingredients that may be troublesome or even toxic for dogs, such as a sweetener called xylitol. Be sure to thoroughly read the ingredients of any processed foods you share with your dog, and if you can't determine the safety level of each ingredient, do not share it with your dog.
  • Dogs shouldn't eat canned versions of foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, etc.), due to their added preservatives including excess salt and sugar, which can be harmful to dogs (and humans!). Choose fresh or even frozen versions instead.
  • Recent research suggests that several foods, such as peas, legumes, and potatoes, while not toxic, may not be appropriate for dogs to consume regularly, due to their correlation with the development of a heart condition called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Read more about the DCM warning at FDA.gov.