Their cute face and a drooling mouth are just begging you to give them a few morsels of what you’re eating. It’s hard to deny them the pleasure but is your human food safe to give your dog? You might be surprised at some of the foods that make the list as not being safe for dogs, so let’s have a look at 27 different foods your dog can & can’t eat.
Can dogs eat pineapple? Yes, in moderation
Packed with vitamin C, pineapple is fine for your dog to eat as a treat. Remove the skin and core and cut into bite sized pieces. A small quantity of fresh pineapple rather than tinned pineapple is best to keep the sugar content down.
Can dogs eat raw chicken? No
In the last few years, raw diets have become popular amongst humans and pets. The obvious raw diet for a dog is uncooked meat. However, eating any raw meat, particularly chicken, has its risks. Salmonella, listeria, E. Coli and even parasites can make a dog ill, or they become carriers of the bacteria which they pass on to their owners. Thoroughly cook all chicken before giving it to your dog.
Can dogs eat watermelon? Yes
Watermelon is a great summer treat for dogs and humans alike. It’s high water content, vitamins and low calories make it ideal for dogs. However, you will need to remove the seeds as they can cause an intestinal blockage and cut off the green skin, so your dog doesn’t eat it. The only reason not to go overboard with watermelon is the high sugar content.
Can dogs eat apples? Yes
Apples contain plenty of nutrients like vitamin C and K, so they are an ideal treat for your dog. Apples are one of nature’s toothbrushes and will help clean their teeth and gums but, don’t give your dog a whole apple. The seeds, core and stem contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs and humans. Cut up the apple so you can remove these parts and remember all fruit should be in moderation due to its high sugar content.
Can dogs eat bananas? Yes
Bananas are the perfect snack food for people and pets, in moderation. Packed with vitamins B & C plus potassium and plenty of fibre, bananas can keep a dog regular. Dogs with inflamed colons or a bowel problem may benefit from bananas but don’t go overboard as too many bananas can have the opposite effect and cause constipation.
Can dogs eat potato? Sure, if it’s cooked
Potatoes contain toxic levels of solanine before cooking so keep raw potatoes out of your dog’s reach in the pantry. If you grow potatoes out the back, don’t let your dog nibble on the plants’ stems, leaves or dig up the potatoes. Tomato plants are similarly dangerous with high quantities of solanine in the leaves, stems and fruit. Symptoms of ingesting solanine include blurred vision, slow heart rate and poor digestion. Cook all potato before giving it to your dog.
Can dogs eat celery? It depends
Celery is a healthy food with plenty of vitamins A, B, C, E, K and water. If you are thinking about a healthy snack, raw celery might not be the best if your dog is a bit of a guts and doesn’t believe in chewing. Big pieces of fresh celery can be difficult for a dog to pass and cause digestive problems. Instead of using celery as a snack, include it in their nightly meal cut up and cooked.
Can dogs eat carrots? Yes
Carrots are ideal because they are high in beta-carotene which keeps dogs’ eyes, skin and coat healthy. Carrots don’t need much preparation either as you can feed them to your dog raw as a snack or cooked to add a few nutrients to their meal.
Can dogs eat capsicum? Yes, a small amount
As part of the pepper food family, some capsicum can be a bit spicy for your dog. Most spicy food doesn’t sit well with a dog’s digestive system. A mild, small piece of capsicum is fine, but the whole fruit can cause diarrhoea or an upset stomach.
Can dogs eat chocolate? No
Don’t feel guilty that you have indulged in your favourite treat and didn’t share any with your dog. Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine which dogs process much slower than humans so it can build to toxic levels in their system. Supervise young children with chocolate in case they share it with the dog, unwittingly or not!
Can dogs eat white chocolate? No
It’s true, white chocolate doesn’t contain the toxic theobromine that is present in milk and dark chocolate varieties, but it’s still not ideal to feed your dog. White chocolate has an even higher fat content than the other two types of chocolate, so it’s likely to cause a stomach upset like diarrhoea or vomiting.
Can dogs eat onion? No
If you are going to give your dog table scraps, make sure there isn’t any onion or garlic in the dish. Even onion powder can make your dog sick. So if it’s the sauce from your Indian takeaway that you didn’t prepare, throw it out rather than give it to your dog. Onions can cause red blood cells to rupture and induce vomiting. All dogs are susceptible, Japanese breeds in particular.
Can dogs eat pasta? Yes, as a small treat
Pasta is low in nutrients and high in carbohydrates, so it’s best to only give to your dog as an occasional treat and keep the portion size small because the flour content makes it hard to digest. If your dog is already tipping the scales, their regular helping of pasta could be to blame. Don’t feed your overweight dog pasta with its calories and carbs and stick to foods high in protein and calcium.
Can dogs eat mushrooms? Occasionally, when store-bought
Like humans, dogs should never eat a mushroom they find growing outside. Wild mushrooms can be toxic with the potential to cause liver and kidney damage, digestive issues and neurological problems. Keep an eye on your dog when you are out walking if you have seen wild mushrooms pop up in the area. Store-bought mushrooms are safe for your dog to eat in moderation.
Can dogs eat cabbage? Yes
Cabbage is packed full of nutrients and is excellent for your dog, but there is the flatulence factor to consider. Cabbage causes gas which can make sitting in the same room as your furry friend unpleasant. It’s best to serve the cabbage cooked rather than raw as lightly steaming or boiling removes the thiocyanate compound which can affect your dog’s thyroid gland.
Can dogs eat olives? Yes, in moderation
Olives aren’t at all toxic to dogs however they can contain high salt levels due to the brine. Black olives often have less salt than green and rinsing can remove some of the salt. Keep the portion size small especially if you have a little dog. Be sure to remove the pit as they can be a choking hazard for all dogs.
Can dogs eat baked beans? No
Don’t feed your dog baked beans. Firstly, they are high in sugar and fat which can cause diabetes or pancreatitis in your dog. Secondly, the sauce is tomato based which is toxic to dogs. There’s also the flatulence factor, so baked beans are definitely off your dog’s menu.
Can dogs eat liquorice? No
Liquorice root can be toxic because it contains the compound glycyrrhizin which is known to raise blood pressure. There is also the high quantity of sugar which can cause a stomach upset and lead to diabetes, obesity and tooth decay. Red liquorice is flavoured by the plant root, so it’s also not suitable.
Can dogs eat avocado? No
Even if your budget extends to smashed avo on toast, save it for yourself as your dog shouldn’t eat it. Avocados contain persin in the stem, leaves, pit and fruit. While dogs are more resistant to the fungicidal toxin than many other animals, eating the fruit can still cause them diarrhoea. The most significant risk, however, is the pip which is high in pectin, a choking hazard and possible bowel obstruction. Call your vet if your dog swallows an avocado pip.
Can dogs eat grapes? Definitely not
One of the most lethal foods for all types of dogs, even a small amount, is grapes. The dried variety of grapes – raisins and sultanas – are just as dangerous for dogs to consume. While we don't know what part of the grape is poisonous to dogs, they cause vomiting and diarrhoea within hours, dehydration, abdominal pain and sudden kidney failure. Take your dog to the vet for assessment if you think he has eaten grapes.
Can dogs eat citrus fruit? Yes
Eating small quantities of citrus fruit is fine for most dogs, but it’s when they can’t get enough and eat the peel and seeds that it becomes toxic. There is a high quantity of citric acid and essential oils in the stems, leaves, skins and seeds of citrus. Consuming the acid and oil can cause problems with a dog’s brain and spinal cord.
Can dogs drink milk? No
A dog’s digestive system isn’t designed to drink cow’s milk. Dogs don’t have the enzyme needed to break down the lactose in milk so all dairy products can give your dog diarrhoea and a stomach upset.
Can dogs drink tea or coffee? No
It’s okay for us humans to get our daily caffeine fix but is it ok to share an iced coffee with your dog? No, because it can lead to caffeine poisoning with symptoms of vomiting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, seizures and death. It’s not just the liquid form, dogs helping themselves to used coffee grounds and tea bags can become sick within hours.
Can dogs eat bread? Yes, cooked in moderation
Feeding your dog bread is fine in small amounts. Like pasta, bread is high in carbohydrates which can stack on the weight. The biggest concern with bread is before it’s cooked.
If you are making bread, be sure your dog can’t steal the dough while you leave it to rise. The yeast in the dough can continue to grow in a dog's stomach causing bloating and a twisted stomach. The dough can also release ethanol, so there is the risk of alcohol poisoning as well as obstruction.
Can dogs eat nuts? No
The high-fat content of nuts particularly almonds, pecans and walnuts, can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. Macadamia nuts are poisonous for dogs causing vomiting, fever, tremors and weakness.
Can dogs eat corn? Yes, in small amounts
Corn isn’t the easiest food for dogs (or even humans) to digest, but it isn’t harmful to consume. Small quantities are fine for most dogs, so they don’t suffer a stomach ache. However, dogs should be given corn on the cob to chew. If a dog decides to eat the whole cob, they are at risk of intestinal obstruction and will need to see the vet immediately. Make sure your dog can’t access the kitchen bin for discarded cobs after you’ve finished your meal.
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