"Can my dog eat this?" — a 63-food danger guide for dogs and cats
Can dogs eat grapes, chocolate or onions? No — these are deadly
Grapes and raisins cause acute kidney failure, and since sensitivity varies wildly, even one grape is a risk. Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, which pets can't break down — the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous. Onions, scallions, garlic and chives destroy red blood cells whether raw, cooked or powdered, so soups, sauces and seasoned leftovers count too. Xylitol (sugar-free gum and candy, some peanut butters) triggers hypoglycemia within 30 minutes. Add alcohol and caffeine, macadamia nuts (dogs), raw yeast dough (ferments and swells in the stomach), human medicine (one Tylenol can kill a cat), and for cats, lilies — even the pollen or the vase water causes kidney failure.
What to do if my dog ate chocolate (or anything on the deadly list)
- Write down what, how much and when — snap a photo of the packaging. It's the first thing the vet will ask.
- Even with no symptoms yet, anything marked "Deadly" means the vet, now. Grape and chocolate symptoms can take 6–24 hours to appear.
- Don't induce vomiting at home with salt water or your fingers. Vets do it safely with medication.
- At night, search for a 24-hour animal hospital or emergency clinic, or call a pet poison helpline. Calling ahead with your pet's weight and the amount eaten speeds everything up.
Toxic foods for cats vs. dogs — the differences
Cats are hit harder by onions and garlic, are far more sensitive to citrus oils, and are the only ones for whom lilies are fatal. Dogs, on the other hand, are the ones that react to macadamia nuts and are much more likely to gobble up xylitol gum or a bar of chocolate. Raw fish, milk and tuna for humans are all "small amounts only" for both — the "cats love milk and fish" image is mostly a myth.
Safe human foods for dogs and cats
Cooked chicken breast, eggs, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, cucumber, blueberries, strawberries, plain unsweetened yogurt and rice are all fine. Keep treats under 10% of daily calories and introduce anything new in a tiny amount to rule out allergies. "No human food ever" is an exaggeration, but seasoned human food almost always contains onion, garlic or salt, so that part is true. Need to blur your pet's face in a photo before sharing? Try the photo blur tool or shrink the file with the image compressor.
Full list (dogs / cats)
| Food | 🐶 | 🐱 | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grapes & raisins | Deadly | Deadly | Even a few can cause acute kidney failure. The toxin (thought to be tartaric acid) affects individuals very differently, so "she ate one before and was fine" means nothing · Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, reduced urination (within 12–24 h) · If eaten, go to the vet immediately regardless of amount |
| Apple | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | The flesh is safe. Seeds contain cyanide compounds and the core is a choking hazard · Remove seeds and core, cut small |
| Banana | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Safe, but high in sugar — small amounts. The peel is indigestible |
| Watermelon | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Flesh is fine. Seeds and rind can block the gut · Remove the seeds |
| Tangerine, orange, lemon | Small amounts only | Dangerous | Acids and essential oils cause vomiting and diarrhea. Cats dislike the smell of citrus and are sensitive to the oils · Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting |
| Cherries | Dangerous | Dangerous | Pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide compounds. A little flesh only is possible but not recommended · Symptoms: Trouble breathing, bright red gums |
| Avocado | Dangerous | Dangerous | Persin causes vomiting and diarrhea; the large pit can block the intestine. Deadly for birds and rabbits · Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing |
| Persimmon | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Seeds can block the intestine. Dried persimmon is too sugary · Remove seeds, small amounts |
| Strawberry | Safe | Safe | Safe. Remove the stem; small amounts because of the sugar |
| Blueberries | Safe | Safe | A safe treat, rich in antioxidants |
| Peach, plum, apricot | Dangerous | Dangerous | The pit contains cyanide compounds and can cause a blockage. The flesh is fine in small amounts · Remove the pit completely |
| Mango | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Flesh is fine. Remove pit and skin, watch the sugar |
| Pear | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Flesh is fine, remove the seeds |
| Onion, scallion, garlic, chives | Deadly | Deadly | Sulfur compounds destroy red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia. Cooked or powdered forms are still toxic. Cats are even more sensitive · Symptoms: Lethargy, pale gums, reddish urine (days later) · Broths, sauces and seasoned dishes (bulgogi, fried rice) count too |
| Tomato | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Ripe fruit is fine. Unripe tomatoes, leaves and stems contain solanine · Only fully ripe red ones, in small amounts |
| Potato | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Cooked potato is fine. Raw potato, sprouts and green parts contain toxic solanine |
| Sweet potato | Safe | Small amounts only | Safe when cooked and a popular dog treat. Small amounts for cats |
| Carrot | Safe | Small amounts only | Safe. Chop raw carrot finely |
| Cucumber | Safe | Safe | Safe and hydrating |
| Broccoli | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Small amounts are fine. Large amounts irritate the stomach (isothiocyanates) |
| Cabbage | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Cooked, in small amounts. Causes gas |
| Mushrooms (wild) | Deadly | Deadly | Store-bought edible mushrooms are generally fine, but wild mushrooms can be deadly since the species is unknown · If your pet ate a mushroom on a walk, photograph it and go to the vet |
| Spinach | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Oxalates — avoid with kidney problems. Small amounts for healthy pets |
| Corn | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Kernels are fine, but the cob is a classic cause of intestinal blockage · Never the cob |
| Rhubarb | Dangerous | Dangerous | Oxalic acid — kidney damage · Symptoms: Drooling, tremors |
| Chicken (cooked) | Safe | Safe | Safe. Boiled lean meat with no bones or seasoning · Cooked chicken bones splinter and can perforate the gut |
| Cooked bones | Dangerous | Dangerous | Cooked bones splinter into sharp pieces — esophageal or intestinal perforation, constipation · Especially chicken and rib bones |
| Raw meat | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Salmonella and E. coli risk. For raw feeding, use properly handled commercial products |
| Pork (cooked) | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Fine when cooked. Fatty cuts like pork belly can trigger pancreatitis |
| Raw fish | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Thiaminase destroys vitamin B1; parasites. Cooked fish is fine (remove bones) · "Cats love fish" applies to cooked fish |
| Canned tuna (for humans) | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Salt and mercury. Only occasionally in small amounts; cat-specific cans are safer |
| Egg (cooked) | Safe | Safe | A safe protein. Raw egg white blocks biotin absorption and may carry salmonella |
| Shrimp & crab (cooked) | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Small amounts are fine with the shell removed. Some pets are allergic |
| Squid & octopus | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Hard to digest and chewy. Only small cooked amounts |
| Milk | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Adult pets have little lactase, so it causes diarrhea. "Cats drink milk" is a myth · Lactose-free or pet milk |
| Cheese | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Small amounts are fine, but high in fat and salt. Blue cheese (roquefortine) is dangerous · Unsalted cottage cheese or pet cheese |
| Plain yogurt | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Unsweetened plain yogurt is fine in small amounts. Never products containing xylitol |
| Ice cream | Dangerous | Dangerous | Sugar, lactose, and possibly chocolate or xylitol · Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting |
| Macadamia nuts | Deadly | Dangerous | Toxic to dogs by an unknown mechanism: hind-leg weakness, tremors, high fever (within 12 h) · Symptoms: Hind-leg weakness, vomiting, fever |
| Walnuts & pecans | Dangerous | Dangerous | Mold toxins (tremorgens), pancreatitis, intestinal blockage · Symptoms: Tremors, seizures |
| Almonds & peanuts | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Not toxic, but fatty and a choking hazard. No salted or flavored products · Unsalted, small amounts |
| Rice | Safe | Safe | Safe. Plain rice porridge also works for diarrhea |
| Bread | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | A little baked white bread is fine. Raw yeast dough rises in the stomach and produces alcohol — dangerous |
| Raw dough (yeast) | Deadly | Deadly | Ferments and expands inside the stomach → stomach dilation and alcohol poisoning · Symptoms: Bloated belly, retching, staggering |
| Chocolate & cocoa | Deadly | Deadly | Pets can't metabolize theobromine. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous (for a 5 kg dog, 20 g of dark chocolate is already risky) · Symptoms: Vomiting, panting, racing heart, seizures (6–12 h) · Note the type, amount and time eaten, then go to the vet immediately |
| Xylitol (gum, candy, some peanut butter) | Deadly | Dangerous | Causes a sudden insulin release → hypoglycemia within 30 minutes, then liver failure. One or two pieces of gum can endanger a small dog · Symptoms: Vomiting, staggering, seizures, lethargy · Check labels for xylitol or "birch sugar" |
| Candy & gummies | Dangerous | Dangerous | Too much sugar, possible xylitol, choking hazard |
| Chips & snacks | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Salt and oil. Many contain onion powder |
| Beef jerky (for humans) | Dangerous | Dangerous | Seasoned with salt, garlic, onion and sugar · Use pet jerky instead |
| Ham, sausage, bacon | Dangerous | Dangerous | Salt, fat and nitrites → pancreatitis · Symptoms: Vomiting, belly pain |
| Ramen & soups | Dangerous | Dangerous | Far too much salt plus onion and garlic seasoning · Symptoms: Thirst, vomiting |
| Peanut butter | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Unsweetened, xylitol-free products are fine in small amounts. Always check the label |
| Honey | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Small amounts are fine. Botulism risk for puppies; caution with diabetes |
| Kimchi & pickles | Dangerous | Dangerous | Salt, garlic, scallions and chili powder |
| Alcohol | Deadly | Deadly | Even small amounts depress the central nervous system, cause hypoglycemia and slow breathing. Liquor-soaked cake is dangerous too · Symptoms: Staggering, vomiting, low body temperature, coma |
| Coffee, tea, energy drinks | Deadly | Deadly | Caffeine — racing heart, seizures. Chewing coffee beans or tea bags is especially dangerous · Symptoms: Restlessness, rapid breathing, tremors |
| Seawater & salt | Dangerous | Dangerous | Salt poisoning → vomiting, seizures, brain swelling · Don't let them drink a lot at the beach |
| Nutmeg | Dangerous | Dangerous | Myristicin — hallucinations, racing heart, seizures |
| Cinnamon | Small amounts only | Small amounts only | Harmless in small amounts; inhaling the powder causes coughing and low blood sugar · Cinnamon-flavored treats are fine |
| Lilies & tulips (plants) | Dangerous | Deadly | Cats: even licking lily pollen or vase water causes acute kidney failure. Dogs get stomach upset · Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, reduced urination · Never bring lilies into a home with cats |
| Human medicine (Tylenol, ibuprofen) | Deadly | Deadly | A single acetaminophen tablet can kill a cat; ibuprofen damages a dog's kidneys and causes stomach bleeding · Symptoms: Brownish gums, trouble breathing, vomiting · Never give "just a little" human medicine |
| Catnip & cat grass | Safe | Safe | Safe. Cats get excited, then calm down |
| Pumpkin & squash | Safe | Safe | Safe when cooked; helps regulate constipation and diarrhea |