What can dogs eat?

Deciding what to feed a dog is one of the most frequent choices an owner makes each day. The wrong treat, a distracted moment at the table, or a well-meaning guest offering a scrap can lead to upset stomachs, nutrient gaps, or true emergencies. This guide takes a practical approach: what is safe, why some foods cause trouble, how to respond if something goes wrong, and simple steps to prevent repeat incidents. I write from clinical experience and common patterns I see in households, and I aim to help you make calm, confident choices that protect your dog’s health and your peace of mind.

Why every dog owner should know which foods are safe

Owners commonly want to do right by their dogs: reward good behavior, share special moments, or prepare homemade meals believed to be healthier. Those motivations are sound, but they also create risk zones—treat jars within reach, table scraps after a long walk, or experimental diets from internet recipes. Each scenario carries different hazards. Knowing what dogs can eat helps you protect your dog’s immediate safety and long-term well-being, and it supports goals such as maintaining a healthy weight, meeting nutritional needs, and avoiding avoidable veterinary visits.

When food choices start to impact a dog’s coat, energy, stools, or body condition, it’s time to consult a professional. A veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is particularly useful when you’re considering a long-term homemade diet, when a dog has chronic disease (kidney disease, pancreatitis, allergies), or when repeated digestive upsets occur. I typically advise owners to seek help sooner rather than later; early adjustments often prevent more serious problems.

At a glance: foods your dog can eat — and those to avoid

• Generally safe staples — Plain, cooked lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef) without bones or seasoning; plain cooked rice or pasta in small amounts; certain vegetables such as plain carrots, green beans, and cooked pumpkin; small amounts of plain yogurt or cottage cheese for dogs that tolerate dairy. Commercial dog foods labeled for your dog’s life stage generally meet baseline nutrient needs and reduce guesswork.
• Commonly toxic items — Chocolate (especially dark and baking varieties), xylitol-containing products (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, onions and garlic (in all forms), alcohol, macadamia nuts, and certain artificial sweeteners. Fatty table scraps and bones can cause pancreatitis or intestinal injury even if not outright toxic.
• Moderation and portion-size rule — Even safe foods can cause problems in excess. A few bites of chicken won’t replace a balanced diet and can unbalance calories. Treats should generally be less than 10% of daily calories; portion size must scale to the dog’s weight and activity level.
• When an item is uncertain — If you’re not sure what a food contains or whether it’s safe, assume risk and seek guidance. Keep the food away from the dog, note packaging and ingredients, and call your veterinarian or a poison-control resource for next steps.

Inside your dog’s gut: how digestion affects food choices

Dogs are omnivores with a digestive system adapted to process a variety of proteins and some plant matter, but they are not small humans. Their stomach acid is often stronger and designed to handle raw meat and bones more readily than ours, and their gut flora and enzymatic profile differ in ways that change how they handle sugars, fats, and certain plant toxins. These differences may suggest why some human foods are harmless to us but risky for dogs.

Protein and fat are central to a dog’s diet: proteins supply amino acids that are building blocks for tissue and immune function, while fats provide concentrated energy and essential fatty acids. Dogs also need micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—that are balanced in commercial diets. Homemade or improvised meals may lack or over-supply these nutrients unless formulated carefully by a nutrition professional. I often see weight gain or nutrient imbalances when owners feed too many calorie-dense human foods without recalibrating total daily intake.

Certain toxins affect dogs for metabolic reasons. For example, theobromine in chocolate is metabolized slowly by dogs, allowing toxic levels to accumulate after even modest ingestion depending on chocolate type and dog size. Xylitol triggers a rapid insulin release in dogs, causing dangerous hypoglycemia and sometimes liver damage; this mechanism is different from human responses. Age and size also influence digestion and susceptibility: puppies and small breeds can become symptomatic from smaller toxin doses than adult large breeds, and older dogs may have slower metabolism or pre-existing organ dysfunction that increases risk.

When food reactions happen: common triggers and timing

Life stage and health status change how a dog responds to foods. Puppies often have more sensitive stomachs and higher energy needs; senior dogs may have dental issues, reduced kidney function, or pancreatitis risk. Dogs with known food allergies tend to react to repeated exposure to specific proteins, while gastrointestinal disease often magnifies sensitivity to fatty or highly seasoned foods. If a dog has chronic conditions, assume a lower tolerance for dietary experimentation.

Portion size and preparation matter. A small taste of plain cooked potato is usually harmless, but fried potato chips high in fat and salt can trigger pancreatitis or salt toxicity if eaten in quantity. Raw bones carry a fracture or perforation risk; cooked bones splinter more easily and are not recommended. How a food is prepared—salted, seasoned with garlic or onion, sweetened with artificial sweetener—can be the difference between safe and hazardous.

Breed and size differences are notable. Some small breeds have metabolic quirks that make them more sensitive to certain toxins; brachycephalic breeds may have breathing challenges that amplify stresses during an emergency. Certain breeds are predisposed to conditions like pancreatitis or obesity, which changes how you should feed and what to avoid. Interactions with medications also matter: a dog on anticoagulants may bleed more with GI irritation, and some drugs interact with dietary components, so disclose all medications when you seek advice.

Danger signs to watch for — gastrointestinal and allergic symptoms

Early recognition of trouble improves outcomes. Gastrointestinal signals—repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, black or bloody stools, or severe abdominal pain—are immediate red flags because they suggest internal irritation, bleeding, or obstruction. Occasional mild vomiting after a novel treat may resolve, but ongoing signs warrant veterinary attention.

Neurological signs require urgent response. Tremors, uncoordinated movement, sudden disorientation, collapse, or seizures may indicate toxic ingestion (chocolate, certain pesticides, or xylitol-related hypoglycemia), metabolic failure, or severe electrolyte disturbances. If you see any neurological change, treat it as an emergency and get veterinary help promptly.

Respiratory or allergic signs such as difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, wheezing, facial swelling, hives, or severe itching can indicate anaphylaxis or aspiration. Timing is important: symptoms that develop rapidly after ingestion or within an hour suggest acute toxicity or an allergic reaction and often require immediate intervention. If in doubt, err on the side of seeking emergency care.

Immediate steps to take if your dog eats something risky

1. Assess the dog and secure the item — Remove the dog from the source, keep the food or packaging, and prevent further access. If the dog is collapsed, seizing, or not breathing, contact emergency services immediately.
2. Identify substance and estimate quantity — Note product names, ingredients, and approximate amount ingested. For packaged items, keep wrappers. For unknown substances, take a photo of what remains and where you found it.
3. Contact poison control or your veterinarian — Reach out to your veterinarian or a poison-control hotline for animals. Have your dog’s weight, breed, age, clinical signs, time of ingestion, and the item details ready. I often tell owners that a call within the first hour is much more likely to allow simple interventions like activated charcoal or observation rather than invasive treatments later.
4. Home care versus urgent veterinary visit — Follow professional guidance. For non-toxic, small-quantity ingestions, your vet may recommend monitoring at home with instructions for food, water, and signs to watch. For known toxins, neurological signs, severe vomiting/diarrhea, or rapid deterioration, go to an emergency clinic right away. Do not induce vomiting unless a qualified professional specifically instructs you to do so.

Preventing problems: safe feeding routines, storage and training

Prevention beats panic. Store foods and trash in pet-proof containers or cabinets. Keep purses, grocery bags, and table scraps out of reach. I often recommend designating a counter or pantry space that’s off-limits to dogs and making it a household rule rather than an occasional request to guests.

Training is a powerful tool. Teaching “leave it,” “drop it,” and stable impulse-control skills reduces the chance of accidental ingestion. Practice these cues with low-value and gradually higher-value items so the dog learns reliable behavior in tempting situations. If you’re unsure how to train effectively, a qualified trainer or behaviorist can show you straightforward techniques that pay off quickly.

Establish feeding routines and keep treats predictable: scheduled meals, measured treats, and no table-feeding are simple policies that limit calorie creep and reduce the temptation to grab foods on the run. Communicate rules clearly to guests and children—many accidental ingestions happen when someone offers “just a bite” and the dog consumes something harmful.

Smart gear for safer feeding — bowls, dispensers and emergency tools

Measured feeders and a small kitchen scale help you portion meals and treats accurately, which supports weight control and consistent nutrition. Pet-proof storage containers with secure lids keep both pantry pests and curious dogs out of food. I recommend opaque containers for strong-smelling items to reduce attraction.

Slow-feed bowls and puzzle feeders promote slower eating, reduce gulping and vomiting, and provide mental enrichment. They also reduce the appeal of counter-surfing by giving dogs something to do. For households with frequent guests or higher risk of accidental ingestion, keep a small emergency kit: a list of local emergency clinics, your vet’s number, and the poison-control hotline. A photo or short video of the ingested product and a note with your dog’s weight and medical history can speed care.

Trusted sources and further reading

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: “Toxic and Non-Toxic Foods for Dogs and Cats” (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-foods)
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Human Foods to Avoid Feeding Pets” (https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/human-foods-pets-shouldnt-eat)
• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs” and “Nutrition and Dietary Management” sections (https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/chocolate-and-theobromine-poisoning/chocolate-and-theobromine-poisoning-in-dogs)
• American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN): clinical nutrition resources and position statements on homemade diets (https://acvn.org/)