Dogs are omnivores — their digestive systems can handle a much wider range of foods than cats can, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. That flexibility is real, but it has limits. Some common human foods are perfectly safe to share in small amounts. Others can cause kidney failure, neurological damage, or worse. This guide covers the most important rules, flags the foods that should never go anywhere near your dog, and links to detailed guides for over 140 specific foods.
Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs — Never Feed These
Some foods aren’t just unhealthy for dogs — they’re dangerous. Even small amounts can trigger serious reactions. Keep these away from your dog entirely:
Chocolate — Contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Can cause vomiting, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
Grapes — Can cause sudden, severe kidney failure in dogs. The exact mechanism is still unknown, but even small amounts have triggered acute kidney injury.
Raisins — Same toxicity as grapes; avoid all dried grape products.
Onions — All forms (raw, cooked, powdered) damage red blood cells and can cause Heinz body anemia.
Garlic — Significantly more potent than onions by weight; even small doses are harmful to dogs.
Macadamia Nuts — Can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs, often within 12 hours of ingestion.
If your dog eats any of these, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control¹ immediately — don’t wait for symptoms. Acting fast makes a meaningful difference.
Foods Generally Safe for Dogs in Small Amounts
Many human foods are fine for dogs occasionally, provided they’re plain, unseasoned, and fed in moderation. They should complement — not replace — a complete, balanced dog food.
Proteins: Plain cooked chicken, beef, turkey, eggs, salmon, and shrimp are safe options that align with dogs’ nutritional needs.
Fruits: Blueberries, watermelon (seedless, rind removed), apples (no core or seeds), bananas, strawberries, and pumpkin are popular, low-risk choices.
Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, broccoli (in small amounts), cucumbers, peas, and sweet potatoes are often recommended as healthy dog-safe snacks.
Always remove seeds and pits, skip salt, seasoning, sauces, and oils, and introduce new foods gradually to watch for digestive upset.
Browse All Dog Food Topics by Category
Use the links below to find detailed guides for any specific food. Each article covers safety, serving guidance, and what to watch for.
Proteins & Seafood
Chicken · Raw Chicken · Chicken Nuggets · Beef · Turkey · Pork · Bacon, Pork & Ham · Hot Dogs · Pepperoni · Eggs · Tuna · Salmon · Shrimp · Lobster · Crabs · Mackerel · Scallops · Sushi · Seafood (overview) · Tofu & Paneer
Fruits
Apples · Apricots · Avocado · Banana · Berries (overview) · Blackberries · Blueberries · Cantaloupe · Cherries · Cranberries · Dates · Dragon Fruit · Dry Fruits · Figs · Grapefruit · Grapes · Guava · Kiwi · Lemons · Mangos · Melon · Nectarines · Oranges · Papaya · Peaches · Pears · Pineapple · Plantains · Plums · Pomegranate · Pumpkin · Raisins · Raspberries · Strawberries · Watermelon · Watermelon Skin · Fruits (overview)
Vegetables & Greens
Artichokes · Arugula · Asparagus · Beets · Bell Peppers · Broccoli · Brussels Sprouts · Cabbage · Carrots · Cauliflower · Celery · Corn · Cucumbers · Eggplant · Garlic · Green Beans · Kale · Lettuce · Mushrooms · Onions · Peas · Potatoes · Radishes · Spinach · Squash · Sweet Potatoes · Tomatoes · Vegetables (overview) · Zucchini
Nuts, Seeds & Legumes
Almond Butter · Almonds · Beans (overview) · Black Beans · Black-Eyed Beans · Butter Beans · Cashews · Edamame · Garbanzo Beans · Lima Beans · Macadamia Nuts · Navy Beans · Nuts (overview) · Peanuts · Pecans · Pistachios · Pinto Beans · Seeds (overview) · Soybeans · Sunflower Seeds · Walnuts
Grains, Dairy & Snacks
Bread · Cat Food · Cheese · French Fries · Grits · Ice Cream · Junk Food · Oatmeal · Pancakes · Pasta · Pickles · Pizza · Popcorn · Potato Chips · Pretzels · Quinoa · Rice · Tortillas · Whipped Cream · Yogurt
Other & Miscellaneous
Bones · Chocolate · Cinnamon · Coconut · Dirt · Ginger · Guacamole · Honey · How Much Salt? · Melatonin · Olives · Seaweed · Turmeric · Vinegar
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my dog eats something toxic?
Act right away — don’t wait for symptoms, because by then the situation can be harder to treat. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control¹ at (888) 426-4435. Have the food name, the amount your dog ate, and your dog’s weight ready when you call. Avoid inducing vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to — it isn’t always the safest first step.
Are dogs really omnivores? Does that mean they can eat most things?
Dogs are omnivores, which means they can digest both animal proteins and plant-based foods more readily than cats can. But that flexibility doesn’t mean everything is safe. Several common foods — including chocolate, grapes, and onions — are toxic to dogs regardless of the amount. “Can eat” and “should eat” are also different: a food being technically digestible doesn’t mean it adds nutritional value or belongs in a dog’s regular diet.
How much human food is safe for dogs?
Treats and supplemental foods — including safe human foods — should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. The remaining 90% should come from a complete, balanced commercial dog food. Even safe foods can cause digestive upset when introduced too quickly or fed in large amounts. When introducing something new, start with a small piece and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual behavior.
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ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “Animal Poison Control.” ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
