50 Safe and Unsafe Foods for Dogs: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

What Are the Safe and Unsafe Foods for Dogs?

Pet parenting can be rewarding but challenging. There are many things to consider. Is my dog happy, safe, healthy, and content? Boy, covering all those bases can be pretty overwhelming, right? Well, let’s break things down into smaller pieces. Let’s chat about the safe and unsafe foods for dogs. Is it safe to give your precious furry friend anything to eat? The short answer is no. However, you have many other safe choices to choose from. We’ll cover most of them in this article, and we will also cover the bad foods, too.

Not sure what’s safe for your dog to eat? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! We’ve got a simple guide to help you sort out the good from the bad.

Disclaimer: While we love sharing tips and advice on this blog, it is best to consult your vet when deciding which diet plan is best for your pup.

Key Takeaways

• Dogs can enjoy many human foods (there’s plenty of safe foods to choose from – see our list below!).
• Many human foods can be toxic to dogs.
• Providing the right, nutritious foods for your dog keeps them happy, healthy, and playful.
• Knowing what foods to avoid is key to creating a healthy diet.
• Dogs have different nutrition requirements than humans.

Understanding Your Dog’s Dietary Needs

Let’s face it – most owners do not realize that their dog has different dietary needs than humans. Dogs need a balanced diet, and it should consist of the following:

• Protein
• Fat
• Carbs
• Vitamins
• Minerals

As an owner, you must be careful when providing human food to your dog as there are many human foods that are harmful to your pup.

Dogs’ stomachs are built to process lots of protein and fat. Still, some foods can make them sick. So, keep an eye on how much they eat to keep them from getting too heavy and having health issues. A good rule of thumb is to feed your dog 2-3% of their body weight daily, split into two or three meals.

Here are some important things to remember about feeding your dog:

1️⃣ Make sure they get a balanced diet that meets their dietary needs

2️⃣ Don’t give them toxic human food, like chocolate or grapes.

3️⃣ Watch their portions to keep them from eating too much.

Learning about what your dog needs and feeding them a balanced diet can help them live a long and healthy life. Now, let’s jump into what this is really about – which foods are safe or unsafe for dogs!

Safe and Unsafe Foods for Dogs: The Ultimate Quick Guide for Dog Owners

Common Kitchen Foods that are Safe for Dogs

1. Carrots

✅ Benefit: Carrots are great for dental health and are packed with vitamins. It’s at the top of the list as one of the safest foods you can give to your dog!

2. Green beans

✅ Benefit: It is low in calories and full of fiber to help with digestion. You can’t go wrong with the green bean family.

3. Sweet Potatoes

✅ Benefit: We swear by sweet potatoes as a great additive to our pup’s meals. Sweet potatoes offer a tasty source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

4. Pumpkin

✅ Benefit: Another great one- full of nutrients, fiber, and a low-calorie additive to your dog’s diet. Pumpkin helps with digestion and soothes an upset stomach.

5. Blueberries

Benefit: This high-fiber fruit comes with a strong antioxidant punch. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that support brain and heart health.

6. Apples (without seeds and in moderation)

✅ Benefit: This crunchy treat is full of vitamins and fiber. It is safe to feed your pup many apple varieties, as they are rich in vitamin C for immunity support and carbohydrates for energy.

⚠️ What to Avoid: The seeds contain cyanide and should be avoided.

7. Bananas

✅ Benefit: A natural energy booster with potassium and vitamins.

⚠️ Con: Too much can lead to weight gain due to high sugar content.

8. Watermelon (seedless)

✅ Benefit: Hydrating and full of vitamins A and C.

⚠️ What to Avoid: Too much can lead to weight gain due to high sugar content.

9. Strawberries

✅ Benefit: A sweet treat packed with fiber and antioxidants.

⚠️ Con: Contains natural sugars, so feeding your pup too much can contribute to obesity.

10. Cucumber

✅ Benefit: A refreshing snack that helps keep your dog hydrated.

⚠️ Con: Too much can lead to an upset stomach or mild diarrhea.

11. Cooked Chicken

✅ Benefit: A lean protein source that supports muscle health.

⚠️ Con: Be sure to monitor your dog closely if you are introducing chicken to your pup for the first time. Take a step further and consult with your vet, too! Chicken allergies in the dog population are pretty common.

* Avoid seasoning, bones, and skin, as they can be harmful.

12. Cooked Turkey

✅ Benefit: It is easy on digestion and a great way to add protein.

* Avoid processed deli turkey, which contains high sodium and preservatives.

13. Salmon (fully cooked, no bones)

✅ Benefit: Omega-3s in this fish promote a shiny coat and healthy skin.

⚠️ Con: Raw salmon may contain parasites that can be harmful. Be sure to cook, cook, cook your salmon through and through before feeding it to your pup.

14. Eggs (cooked)

✅ Benefit: A protein-rich food that supports muscle and brain health.

⚠️ Con: This topic is a little controversial, but it is critical for one to remember that raw eggs can carry bacteria like salmonella and should be avoided.

15. Peanut butter (xylitol-free)

✅ Benefit: A delicious source of protein that is creamy, delicious, and loaded with healthy fats.

⚠️ Con: It is high in calories, so too much can lead to weight gain.

*When choosing peanut butter, be sure to review the ingredients to ensure there is no xylitol listed. It is highly toxic to dogs. Xylitol is usually found in sugar-free peanut butter, candy, and gum.

16. Oatmeal

✅ Benefit: Gentle on sensitive stomachs while providing fiber and nutrients.

⚠️ Con: Flavored varieties often contain sugar and additives that aren’t safe.

17. Rice (plain, cooked)

✅ Benefit: Easy on the stomach and helps with digestive issues.

⚠️ Con: Too much can lead to unnecessary carb intake and weight gain.

18. Plain yogurt

✅ Benefit: A good source of probiotics that aid digestion.

⚠️ Con: Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience stomach issues.

19. Cheese (in moderation)

✅ Benefit: A tasty calcium source for strong bones.

⚠️ Con: Can be high in fat and may cause digestive issues in lactose-intolerant dogs.

20. Zucchini

✅ Benefit: Low-calorie and vitamin-rich, great for a healthy treat.

⚠️ Con: Too much can cause loose stools or mild digestive upset.

21. Cooked Beef

✅ Benefit: Great source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and iron, which help support muscle growth and overall health.

⚠️ Con: Some dogs may be allergic to beef, and fatty cuts can contribute to obesity or pancreatitis if fed in excess.

22. Cooked Pork

✅ Benefit: Rich in protein and essential B vitamins, making it a nutritious option when cooked properly.

⚠️ Con: Raw or undercooked pork can contain harmful parasites like trichinella, and processed pork (like bacon or ham) is high in salt and preservatives, which can harm dogs.

23. Peas (fresh or frozen, no added salt)

✅ Benefit: A protein and fiber-rich snack that supports energy and digestion.

⚠️ Con: Avoid canned peas due to added sodium; excessive amounts may cause bloating.

24. Bell Peppers (seedless, any color)

✅ Benefit: A vitamin-packed, crunchy treat that boosts immune health.

25. Pears (seedless, in moderation)

✅ Benefit: A fiber and vitamin C-rich fruit that supports digestion.

⚠️ Con: Pear seeds contain cyanide, so always remove them before feeding. Too much can lead to an upset stomach due to natural sugars.

Common Kitchen Foods that are Unsafe for Dogs

1. 1. Grapes and Raisins

   ⚠️ Even small amounts of this food can result in sudden kidney failure.

   2. Onions and Garlic

   ⚠️ The red blood cells in your dog’s body may be damaged by onions and garlic, leading to weakness and anemia.

   3. Chocolate

   ⚠️ Theobromine, a toxic substance, is found in this food. It’s bad for their heart and nervous system.

   4. Caffeine

   ⚠️ When consumed, caffeine speeds up a dog’s heart rate and may cause restlessness, tremors, or even seizures.

   5. Macadamia Nuts

   ⚠️ Eating this nut, even in small amounts, may cause weakness, vomiting, and tremors in your pup.

   6. Tomatoes

   ⚠️ Generally, fully ripened tomatoes pose no harm to dogs. However, the green part of the tomato plant contains solanine, which is very toxic to dogs. Because of this, it is recommended to entirely refrain from giving tomatoes to your pup.

   7. Bones

   ⚠️ You may have heard the myth that giving bones to your dog is okay if they have been fully cooked. Well, this is not true. Bones are a major choking hazard. Even scarier, they can cause splinters, internal injuries, or blockages in the digestive tract. Cooked or uncooked, bones should never be given to dogs.

   8. Avocado

   ⚠️ Avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. It can even be deadly in larger amounts.

   9. Alcohol

   ⚠️ Even small amounts can lead to poisoning, coordination issues, or coma. Other signs and symptoms to look out for are diarrhea, vomiting, low blood sugar, tremors, and difficulty breathing. Alcohol ingestion in dogs can also lead to death.

   10. Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and candy)

   ⚠️ This one may not sound familiar to you, but you should get to know this food item very well-  Xylitol. This toxic substance is often found in sugar-free gum and candy and can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver failure. Other signs to look out for are vomiting, weakness, decreased physical activity, or seizures.

   11. Raw Eggs

   ⚠️ Feeding raw eggs to your dog is not recommended and can cause Salmonella infection in your pup. This infection is very dangerous and causes food poisoning in dogs.

   12. Raw or Undercooked Meat

   ⚠️ This topic can certainly be controversial! Many dog owners swear by raw and frozen foods for their furry pals. However, thawing meat meant for humans, such as hamburger meat, poses a risk of bacterial infections like Salmonella and E. coli.

   13. Fatty foods (like bacon and fried foods)

   ⚠️ Fatty foods will surely draw your pup in, but they should not indulge. These foods can cause pancreatitis, leading to severe pain and vomiting.

   14. Salt (in excess)

   ⚠️ Excessive salt intake in your dog can lead to sodium ion poisoning, causing vomiting, tremors, or seizures.

   15. Nutmeg

   ⚠️ Ahhh, Nutmeg! This ingredient may seem harmless, but it is a harmful food for dogs if ingested in large amounts. Nutmeg contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, tremors, and seizures.

   16. Cherries (pits, stems, and leaves)

   ⚠️ The pits, stems, and leaves of cherries contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs.

   17. Peach and Plum Pits

   ⚠️ The flesh of peaches and plums is perfectly fine for dogs to eat. However, the pits are the culprit, as they also contain cyanide and can cause choking or intestinal blockages.

   18. Mushrooms (wild or toxic varieties)

   ⚠️ Not all mushrooms pose a danger to your dog’s health. But there are some you avoid at all costs. These toxic forms of mushrooms cause organ failure or neurological issues.

   19. Spicy foods

   ⚠️ You probably have realized by now that dogs have sensitive tummies, so it’s no surprise that spicy foods have made our list. Dogs should not eat anything spicy. Spicy food can irritate a dog’s stomach, causing pain, bloating, and discomfort.

   20. Citrus fruits (large amounts)

   ⚠️ In general, the flesh of some citrus fruits is safe to give to your pup in small amounts. This should be limited and not given in large amounts. If too much is ingested, the citric acid can upset their stomach and cause irritation.

   21. Hops (used in brewing beer)

   ⚠️ Ingesting hops can lead to rapid overheating, seizures, vomiting, and even fatal hyperthermia in dogs.

   22. Green or Sprouted Potatoes

   ⚠️ High levels of solanine in green and sprouting potatoes may cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and neurological issues.

   23. Rhubarb

   ⚠️ Some root vegetables contain oxalates, which may lead to kidney failure, tremors, and seizures.

   24. Raw Yeast Dough

   ⚠️ Raw yeast presents a serious risk to dogs when consumed. It expands in a dog’s stomach, causing bloating, severe discomfort, and potentially dangerous gastric torsion or alcohol poisoning as the dough ferments.

   25. Walnuts

   ⚠️ Proceed with great caution when feeding your pup walnuts. This nut causes gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, seizures or tremors due to molds that can grow on them.

How do you know if your dog has eaten something bad?

Knowing the signs of food toxicity is one of the most valuable skills you will need as a dog owner. If your pup has eaten something they were not supposed to, it is probably suffering from food poisoning. This is very dangerous if not treated as soon as possible.

Common signs and symptoms to look out for are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Extreme fatigue

If you suspect your dog is exhibiting these symptoms as a result of food poisoning, call your vet immediately.

Conclusion- Keeping Your Dog’s Food Safe

We took a deep dive into dog nutrition and figured out which foods are okay, and which are a no-go for our pups. While this list doesn’t cover all the safe and unsafe foods for dogs, it is a great start. Having knowledge of what they need and can’t have helps us keep them in good shape and on the road to a long, healthy life. It’s on us as pet parents to watch what they eat and get advice from the vet when needed.

Keeping a list of safe and unsafe foods for our dogs can be a handy step in preventing an unwanted food poisoning episode. Posting this list on your fridge, bulletin board, or even in a quick-to-access location in your phone is recommended.

Keeping bad foods away from our dogs is a big deal for their health and happiness. Giving them the right stuff and dodging the harmful stuff helps them live their best lives. It’s about being careful and picking good food choices for them.

Let’s wrap this up by agreeing to keep a close eye on what our dogs eat. If we start there, we are making sure they have a safe and sound place to chow down. Let’s all do our part to keep our dogs happy and healthy!

Let’s chat! Do you share human foods with your pup? Share in the comments section below, and don’t forget to join our newsletter!