Chocolate
Methylxanthine toxicity. Dark > milk > white. See our chocolate toxicity calculator.
Can dogs & cats eat this?
Searchable safety ratings for 53+ common human foods, sourced from ASPCA, AVMA, and Pet Poison Helpline. Type a food name to filter.
If your pet just ate something toxic, don't waste time searching here — call: ASPCA APCC 1-855-426-3435 ·
Pet Poison Helpline 1-855-213-6680.
Both 24/7, staffed by veterinary toxicologists, ~$85–95 consult fee.
Grapes
Acute kidney injury — any amount is concerning. See grape toxicity calculator.
Raisins
Concentrated grapes. ~4× more toxic by weight. See raisin toxicity calculator.
Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butter)
Severe hypoglycemia + liver injury in dogs. Read peanut-butter labels carefully.
Onion
Hemolytic anemia. Includes powdered, cooked, raw, and onion-flavoured foods.
Garlic
Same family as onion; cats more sensitive than dogs.
Macadamia nuts
Weakness, tremors, hyperthermia in dogs. Mechanism unknown.
Alcohol
Severe CNS depression at small doses. Includes beer-soaked bread dough.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)
Same family as theobromine. Stimulant toxicity.
Avocado
Persin in skin/pit; flesh is generally tolerated but high-fat. Pits are a choking + obstruction risk.
Raw bread dough
Yeast ferments in stomach → bloat + alcohol production.
Raw fish (regularly)
Thiaminase destroys B1 — neurological signs from regular intake. Salmonella + parasite risk.
Cooked bones
Mechanical hazard — not a toxicosis. Splinters cause GI obstruction or perforation; do NOT induce vomiting if a bone is swallowed (sharp fragments going both ways). Raw bones are safer (supervise); call your vet if symptoms appear (vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy).
Citrus (large amounts)
Stomach upset; high citric acid irritates GI tract.
Nutmeg
Myristicin causes tremors, seizures in large amounts.
Cooked chicken (plain, boneless)
Excellent training treat. Skin/bones removed.
Cooked turkey (plain, boneless)
Same as chicken.
Plain cooked salmon
Cooked only — raw has thiaminase + parasite risk.
Cooked egg
Excellent protein. Raw eggs: salmonella + biotin issue.
Plain pumpkin (canned, no spice)
Fibre source — helps with mild constipation or diarrhoea.
Plain yogurt (lactose-tolerant only)
Many adult dogs/cats are lactose intolerant. Plain Greek is best if tolerated.
Cottage cheese (small amount)
Lower lactose than milk; ok in small amounts for many.
Blueberries
Antioxidants; great low-cal training treat.
Strawberries
OK for dogs; cats often disinterested.
Apple slices (no seeds, no core)
Seeds contain cyanide compounds — remove. Core is choking risk.
Banana (small amount)
High sugar — small amounts only.
Watermelon (no seeds, no rind)
High-water treat. Remove seeds and rind.
Carrots (raw or cooked)
Low-cal, dental-friendly. Cut to size to prevent choking.
Green beans (plain)
Great filler during weight loss.
Cucumber
Low-cal hydration. Most pets find it bland.
Sweet potato (cooked, plain)
Fibre + vitamins. No marshmallow casserole, please.
White rice (plain, cooked)
Bland-diet staple for upset stomachs. Cats are obligate carnivores — small amounts only.
Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
Read the label — some brands contain xylitol (deadly to dogs). High in fat.
Cheese (lactose-tolerant, small amounts)
High-fat, often poorly tolerated. Cheddar is lowest-lactose.
Bread (plain, baked)
Empty calories. Small amounts okay. Raw dough is dangerous.
Bone broth (low/no sodium)
Tasty add-on. Make sure no onion/garlic added.
Honey (small amounts)
High sugar; small amounts for adult dogs only. Puppies <1 year: avoid (botulism risk).
Coconut oil
High fat; small amounts only. Pancreatitis risk in sensitive pets.
Pineapple (fresh, small)
High sugar. Avoid syrup-packed canned.
Pear (no seeds, no core)
Seeds contain cyanide compounds.
Mango (no skin, no pit)
Pit is choking + cyanide risk.
Plain popcorn (no salt, no butter)
Unsalted, air-popped only. Avoid kernels (choking).
Bacon / fatty meats
Pancreatitis risk, especially in small breeds.
Almonds
Not toxic but choking + GI obstruction risk. Small dogs: avoid.
Cashews
High fat; small amounts ok if no other nut allergy.
Peanuts (unsalted, in moderation)
High fat — moderation. Salted: avoid.
Walnuts
Moldy walnuts produce tremorgenic mycotoxins. Black walnuts particularly risky.
Cinnamon
Small amounts okay; large amounts irritate mouth + lungs.
Mustard / horseradish
Glucosinolate + myrosinase irritants cause GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Distinct from the allium family — no hemolytic anemia risk. ASPCA: caution, not toxic.
Mushrooms (store-bought)
Common edible varieties (button, portobello) are safe. WILD mushrooms — never.
Tuna (rare treat)
High thiaminase + mercury. Occasional small amounts only — never staple diet.
Cow's milk
Most cats and adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Skip.
Liver (cooked, small)
High in vitamin A — toxic in large/regular amounts. Once a week max.
No matches.
Reading the ratings
- ✓ Safe — generally fine in small treat-sized amounts. Always introduce slowly and watch for individual allergies.
- ⚠ Caution — small amounts are usually okay, but there's a meaningful risk (lactose intolerance, high fat, choking, etc.). Read the note.
- ✗ Toxic — do not feed. Some toxic items require immediate vet attention if ingested (chocolate, grapes, xylitol, onion, garlic).
Even "safe" foods should follow the 10% rule — treats and human-food rewards together should be no more than 10% of total daily calories. See our treat allowance calculator for the math.
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center; AVMA Pet Owner Resources; Pet Poison Helpline; Merck Veterinary Manual.