Pet Nutrition

Human Foods Your Pet Can (and Can't) Safely Eat

📅 Published December 2025 🕓 7 minute read

Those pleading eyes at dinnertime are hard to resist. Your dog sits patiently, and you wonder: can I share this bite of chicken? Is that piece of apple safe? What about cheese?

While pets don't need human food to be healthy, many people foods are safe in moderation and can serve as healthy treats or training rewards. Others, however, are toxic and potentially fatal. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate what you can and cannot share with your furry family members.

Safe Foods for Dogs and Cats

Proteins

Cooked Chicken, Turkey, and Beef: Plain, cooked meat without seasoning, bones, or skin is excellent for pets. Remove all bones, which can splinter and cause choking or intestinal damage. Portion: A few small pieces as treats, or up to 10% of daily calories.

Fish: Cooked salmon, tuna, and whitefish are safe and provide omega-3 fatty acids. Always remove bones and serve plain without seasoning. Limit tuna due to mercury content. Portion: A few small pieces, 1-2 times per week.

Eggs: Cooked eggs are a complete protein source. Scrambled, hard-boiled, or poached eggs (no butter or oil) are all safe. Raw eggs should be avoided due to biotin interference and salmonella risk. Portion: Half an egg for small dogs/cats, one egg for large dogs.

Dairy

Plain Yogurt: Unsweetened, plain yogurt with live cultures can support digestive health. Many pets are lactose intolerant, so start with very small amounts. Avoid flavored yogurts and those containing xylitol. Portion: 1-2 teaspoons for small pets, 1-2 tablespoons for large dogs.

Cheese: Most pets love cheese, and small amounts are generally safe. However, cheese is high in fat and calories. Choose low-fat varieties and use sparingly. Portion: Small cube for training, not a daily treat.

Fruits

Apples: Remove seeds and core (seeds contain cyanide), then offer sliced pieces. Apples provide fiber and vitamins. Portion: A few thin slices.

Blueberries: These antioxidant-rich berries are perfect bite-sized treats. Portion: 2-3 berries for small pets, up to 10 for large dogs.

Watermelon: Remove seeds and rind, offer the flesh. It's hydrating and low-calorie. Portion: A few small cubes.

Bananas: High in potassium and vitamins but also high in sugar. Use as an occasional treat. Portion: A few small slices.

Strawberries: Safe in moderation, though high in sugar. Remove leaves and stem. Portion: 1-2 berries for small pets, 3-4 for large dogs.

Vegetables

Carrots: Raw or cooked carrots make excellent low-calorie treats. They're good for dental health when raw. Portion: A few baby carrots or sliced pieces.

Green Beans: Plain, cooked, or raw green beans are safe and low-calorie. Avoid canned beans with added sodium. Portion: A few beans as treats.

Sweet Potatoes: Cooked sweet potato (no seasoning) is nutritious and easily digestible. Never feed raw. Portion: 1-2 tablespoons for small pets, up to 1/4 cup for large dogs.

Pumpkin: Plain, cooked, or canned pumpkin (not pie filling) aids digestion and can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Portion: 1 teaspoon for cats and small dogs, up to 4 tablespoons for large dogs.

Broccoli: Small amounts of cooked broccoli are safe, but limit portions. Large amounts can cause gastric irritation. Portion: A few small florets.

Grains

Plain Rice: White or brown rice, cooked without seasoning, is gentle on the digestive system and often recommended for upset stomachs. Portion: A few tablespoons mixed with regular food.

Oatmeal: Plain, cooked oatmeal (no sugar or flavorings) provides fiber. Ensure it's cooked, as raw oats are harder to digest. Portion: 1-2 tablespoons.

Other Safe Foods

Peanut Butter: Unsalted, unsweetened peanut butter without xylitol is safe and loved by most dogs. Check labels carefully, as xylitol is increasingly common and deadly to dogs. High in calories, so use sparingly. Portion: 1/2 teaspoon for small dogs, 1 tablespoon for large dogs, occasionally.

Coconut: Fresh coconut or coconut oil in very small amounts may support skin and coat health. Portion: 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil for small pets, up to 1 teaspoon for large dogs.

Dangerous and Toxic Foods

These foods range from mildly problematic to potentially fatal. Never feed these to your pets:

Highly Toxic (Emergency Vet if Ingested)

Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to pets. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.

Xylitol: This artificial sweetener, found in sugar-free gum, candy, peanut butter, and baked goods, causes rapid insulin release leading to hypoglycemia. It can also cause liver failure. Even small amounts are dangerous.

Grapes and Raisins: Can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The toxic substance is unknown, and there's no safe amount. Even a few grapes can be deadly for some dogs.

Onions and Garlic: All forms (raw, cooked, powdered, or in foods) damage red blood cells, causing anemia. Garlic is more potent than onions. Toxicity can occur with small amounts over time.

Macadamia Nuts: Cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. Recovery typically occurs within 48 hours, but veterinary care is recommended.

Very Dangerous

Avocado: Contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats. The pit also poses a choking hazard.

Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol, including in unbaked bread dough, can cause intoxication, coma, and death. Pets are far more sensitive to alcohol than humans.

Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soda. Causes restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors.

Raw Yeast Dough: Expands in the warm, moist environment of the stomach, causing bloat and pain. The fermentation also produces alcohol.

Problematic Foods

Milk and Dairy Products: Many pets are lactose intolerant. Large amounts can cause digestive upset, though small amounts of cheese or yogurt are usually tolerated.

Raw Meat and Fish: Risk of bacterial contamination and parasites. Raw fish can also cause thiamine deficiency.

Bones: Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause choking, broken teeth, or intestinal perforation. Even raw bones carry risks.

Fat Trimmings: Can cause pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious inflammation of the pancreas.

Salty Foods: Excessive salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, causing vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.

Cherries: The pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide. The flesh is safe but remove all other parts.

Tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes are generally safe in small amounts, but green tomatoes and tomato plants contain solanine, which is toxic.

Raw Potatoes: Contain solanine. Always cook potatoes before offering to pets.

Mushrooms: While store-bought mushrooms are generally safe, wild mushrooms can be toxic. It's safer to avoid them altogether.

Foods Requiring Special Caution

Corn on the Cob: The corn itself is safe, but the cob can cause intestinal blockage, often requiring surgery. Only offer kernels removed from the cob.

Nut Butters: While peanut butter is safe, always check for xylitol. Avoid almond butter and other nut butters unless you're certain of the ingredients.

Bread: Plain, baked bread in small amounts is generally safe but offers little nutritional value. Never feed raw dough.

Cat-Specific Considerations

Cats are obligate carnivores with different nutritional needs than dogs. While many of the safe foods listed above work for cats, remember:

• Cats require more protein and less carbohydrate than dogs
• They need taurine, an amino acid found primarily in animal tissues
• Many cats are lactose intolerant
• Onions and garlic are even more dangerous for cats than dogs
• Cats show little interest in fruits and vegetables

Safe Feeding Guidelines

Follow these principles when sharing human food:

• 10% Rule: Treats and human food should make up no more than 10% of daily calories
• Introduce Slowly: Offer new foods in tiny amounts to check for allergic reactions or digestive upset
• Plain is Best: Skip seasonings, butter, oils, and sauces
• Size Appropriately: Cut food into small pieces to prevent choking
• Know Your Pet: Some pets have food sensitivities or allergies. Monitor reactions
• Maintain Balance: Don't let treats replace balanced pet food

What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

If your pet consumes a toxic food:

1. Stay calm and remove your pet from the food source
2. Identify what they ate and approximately how much
3. Call your veterinarian, emergency vet, or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately
4. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a professional
5. Follow professional advice exactly

Time is critical with poisonings. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop.

The Bottom Line

Sharing appropriate human foods with your pet can strengthen your bond and provide healthy, enjoyable treats. The key is knowing which foods are safe, understanding proper portions, and remembering that these are treats, not meals.

When in doubt, stick to food formulated for pets. It's designed to meet their nutritional needs perfectly. But when you want to share a healthy snack or reward good behavior with something special, this guide will help you do so safely.

Your pet depends on you to make good choices for their health. By knowing what foods to share and what to avoid, you're protecting them while still enjoying the pleasure of treating them to something special.