Skip to main content

Can my dog eat that? An extensive list of people foods that are safe for your pup to enjoy

Before offering your dog any new foods, make sure to consult your veterinarian first.

Kelsey Monstrola  |  Paste BN
play
Show Caption

Your dog stares at you while you’re eating, those adorable puppy eyes silently begging for a handout. You know a table scrap would make them happy, but is what you’re eating safe for them?

Human food can be dangerous for our dogs, but according to veterinarians, some of the foods we eat are OK, and even nutritious, for our furry friends to snack on.

Before you give your pup a bite from your plate, make sure you’re following the 90/10 rule. “Treats should be given sparingly and offered as 10% of your dog’s daily calories,” says Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS. “A dog food that is complete and balanced should make up the remaining 90%.”

IMPORTANT: Before offering your dog any new foods, make sure to consult your veterinarian first. What is safe for one dog might not be safe for another depending on various factors such as age and medical history. 

Can my dog eat bananas?

In small doses, bananas can be a great sweet treat for your dog. The fruit contains vitamins C and B6, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and biotin, according to PetMD. However, bananas are high in sugar content and can lead to health problems like weight gain and diabetes if eaten in excess.

Can my dog eat apples?

Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C, potassium, antioxidants, and fiber, according to the American Kennel Club. But not all parts of an apple are healthy for dogs. Make sure to remove the core, stem and seeds, which are toxic to dogs. Keep in mind, apples have a high sugar content, so a whole apple would be too much for your pup. 

Can my dog eat blueberries?

Unlike some fruits, blueberries are completely safe for canine consumption. According to PetMD, “Blueberries are antioxidant-boosting fruits known for their disease-fighting properties, called phytochemicals, that battle conditions like cancer and heart disease.” Blueberries are a low-calorie, high-fiber food, your pup can enjoy both fresh and frozen.

Can my dog eat strawberries?

Strawberries are a safe sweet treat for your pup in moderation. These tasty red berries are full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and a tooth whitening enzyme known as malic acid, according to Purina. However, strawberries have a high sugar content, which can lead to dental problems, obesity and diabetes. You’ll also want to make sure to keep the leaves and stems away from your dog as they can lead to vomiting or diarrhea, PetMD warns.

Can my dog eat watermelon?

Watermelon is the perfect summer snack for your furry friend. But while it’s refreshing and hydrating, watermelon is high in sugar content, so it should only be served up in moderation. Make sure your watermelon is seedless and the rind is removed to prevent choking or upset stomach, PetMD reports.

Can my dog eat cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe is a great source of antioxidants for our dogs, says the American Kennel Club. It’s also a low-calorie fruit with a high water and fiber content, which is great for digestion and preventing constipation and dehydration. Just like with watermelon, remove the cantaloupe rinds to prevent choking or stomach issues.

Can my dog eat pineapple?

Ripe, raw pineapple is full of vitamins and minerals that play an important role in your dog’s immune system and digestive health, the American Kennel Club reports. While pineapple is safe to be handed out as a dog treat, the fruit is high in sugar, so it should only be given out in moderation and small amounts. Make sure you avoid canned pineapple, as the sugar content is even higher.

Can my dog eat peaches?

Peaches are loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, making them a sweet, non-toxic treat for your pup. However, peaches are high in sugar, so only dole out the peaches in small doses. Make sure you’re only feeding your dog fresh peaches, not peaches from a can, which are even higher in sugar content. Also, never allow your dog to get a hold of the peach pit, stem or leaves as they contain trace amounts of cyanide, which is toxic to dogs, according to Purina.

Can my dog eat pears?

Pears contain vitamins C and A and fiber, and are safe for your dog to eat in moderation, according to the American Kennel Club. However, don’t let your dog eat any pear seeds as they contain traces of the toxin cyanide. 

Can my dog eat a mango?

Mangoes are full of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, B6, E, and potassium, according to PetMD. Keep in mind, mangoes do have a higher carb and sugar content, so they should only be given out in moderation.

Can my dog eat cucumbers?

Cucumbers have a water content of 96%, making them a low-calorie, low-sugar, hydrating treat for dogs, according to PetMD. Before feeding your dog cucumbers, make sure to remove the seeds and skin and cut them into small pieces.

Can my dog eat carrots?

Carrots are a great and nutritious treat to offer your dog. According to Purina, all the vitamins and minerals found in carrots support healthy vision, digestion, heart health, and a healthy skin and coat. If you’re serving up carrots raw, make sure to cut them up into bite-size chunks to avoid choking. Pro tip from the American Kennel Club: Cold or frozen carrots are great for soothing the gums of teething puppies. 

Can my dog eat celery?

Celery is low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, making it a safe food for dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. This veggie’s crunch packs an extra punch in its ability to help clean your dog’s teeth and may even freshen up that stinky breath. Just make sure you’re cutting celery into small chunks to avoid choking.

Can my dog eat cauliflower?

Cauliflower is chock-full of nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C, K, and B6, folate, potassium, and magnesium, to name a few. Just be careful of how much cauliflower you’re feeding your dog as large quantities can make them gassy.

Can my dog eat peas?

Snow peas, sugar snap peas, and English peas are all safe to give your pup in small amounts, according to the American Kennel Club. Peas have antioxidants that are good for your dog’s skin, heart and eyes, but make sure you’re serving them up without any added seasoning or oil. You can offer up pea treats fresh, frozen or thawed, but skip canned peas due to the high sodium.

Can my dog eat a sweet potato?

Sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, beta-carotene, and other vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious, low-fat treat for your pup, according to PetMD. However, never serve your dog raw sweet potatoes. Not only are they a choking hazard, but the raw chunks can also cause intestinal blockage. Additionally, large quantities of sweet potatoes can cause a tummy ache, vomiting or diarrhea. If you do decide to feed your dog sweet potatoes, make sure to skip the salt and oil.

Can my dog eat pumpkin?

Low in calories and high in fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C and potassium, the American Humane Society refers to pumpkin as a superfood for dogs. In fact, according to the chief veterinarian at the Animal Humane Society, “Most pets with inconsistent GI tract issues could typically benefit from pumpkin in their diet.” If you’re planning on passing out the pumpkin, make sure it’s plain, canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugar and other ingredients that may not be safe for your pup. 

Can my dog eat bell peppers?

Bell peppers are a colorful way to add in extra vitamins, minerals and fiber into your dog’s treat supply. Full of vitamins A and C, bell peppers can help improve your dog’s immune system and eye health, according to PetMD. Your dog can enjoy all bell pepper colors both raw and cooked. Just make sure to remove the seeds and leave out any seasoning or oils. 

Can my dog eat cabbage?

Cabbage is low in calories and high in fiber, potassium, vitamins C and K, magnesium, and beta-carotene, according to the American Kennel Club. Red and green cabbage are both safe to feed your pup, but keep an eye on the serving size as cabbage can cause gas and bloating. Also, make sure the cabbage is cooked and doesn’t contain any oil or seasoning. 

Can my dog eat broccoli?

Broccoli is generally safe to feed your dog, but it’s a bit complicated. While high in vitamin C and fiber, AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, warns, “Broccoli also contains a potentially harmful ingredient. The florets of this vegetable contain isothiocyanates, which can cause mild to potentially severe gastric irritation in some dogs.” Broccoli can be fed to dogs raw or cooked as long as it's free of oils and seasoning.

What beans can I feed my dog?

Properly cooked and unseasoned green beans, black beans, lima beans, pinto beans, and garbanzo beans are great sources of protein and fiber for your dog, according to the American Kennel Club. It can be tempting to feed your dog canned beans for convenience, but they tend to be high in sodium, so it’s best to avoid them.

Can I feed my dog cheese?

Cheese is full of protein, calcium, and vitamins A and B, making it a great treat for your four-legged friend. However, it’s also high in fat, calories and lactose, so your dog should only eat cheese in small quantities.

Can I feed my dog eggs?

Eggs can be a great source of nutrition for your dog, the same way they are for us. Eggs are high in protein, fatty acids, and vitamins that support your dog’s immune system, vision, skin and coat. If you plan to serve your dog eggs, make sure they are completely cooked through as raw eggs increase the risk of salmonella infection and biotin deficiency.

Can I feed my dog popcorn?

Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for your pup to enjoy as a snack. Just double check the popcorn isn’t seasoned or flavored as the additives can give your pooch an upset stomach. To avoid a choking hazard, make sure you pop the kernels all the way before giving them to your dog.

Can I feed my dog peanut butter?

Peanut butter, in moderation, is a great source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins like B and E, which can be beneficial for your dog’s muscles, skin, coat and eyes. However, make sure the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, as it is extremely toxic to dogs. You also want to keep an eye on the serving size since peanut butter is high in calories and fat. 

What meat and fish can I feed my dog?

Cooked, deboned and unseasoned proteins such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, and fish are generally OK for dogs to eat in moderation. However, avoid fatty cuts of meat which can lead to pancreatitis.

What foods should I not feed my dog?

From toxicity to choking hazards, certain foods can pose serious risks to dogs. Foods you should never feed your pup include:

Facebook Twitter Email