Can my dog eat…? A–Z guide to human foods
By the Photoshoot Pets team · Updated October 31, 2026
Something hit the kitchen floor and your dog got there first. Or they’re giving you the “I’ve never been fed in my life” stare while you eat. Either way, you want a straight answer on whether dogs can eat it, fast. Find the food below. Where we’ve written a full guide, the link has portions, risks and what to do if things go wrong.
Human foods for dogs, A to Z
| Food | Can dogs eat it? | Key note | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | ❌ No | Even small amounts can poison a dog. | – |
| Asparagus | ✅ Yes | Cooked, plain and cut up. The asparagus fern plant is toxic. | Read the guide |
| Bananas | ⚠️ In moderation | High in sugar. Skip the peel and banana chips. | Read the guide |
| Bell peppers | ⚠️ In moderation | Red is best. Remove seeds; never spicy or cooked with onion. | Read the guide |
| Blueberries | ✅ Yes | Low-calorie treat. Halve them for small dogs; no muffins. | Read the guide |
| Cantaloupe | ✅ Yes | Flesh only, no rind or seeds. Careful if your dog is diabetic. | Read the guide |
| Carrots | ✅ Yes | Raw or cooked. Cut small to prevent choking. | Read the guide |
| Chocolate | ❌ No | Toxic to dogs. Dark and baking chocolate are the worst. | – |
| Eggs | ✅ Yes | Cooked and plain: scrambled, boiled or poached. Not raw. | Read the guide |
| Grapes and raisins | ❌ No | Toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. | – |
| Greek yogurt | ⚠️ In moderation | Plain and unsweetened only. Never with xylitol. | Read the guide |
| Lettuce | ✅ Yes | Plain, washed and chopped. Watch out for salad toppings. | Read the guide |
| Macadamia nuts | ❌ No | Toxic to dogs. | – |
| Mango | ✅ Yes | Flesh only. No pit (choking, cyanide) and no skin. | Read the guide |
| Onions, garlic and chives | ❌ No | Toxic raw, cooked or powdered, including in sauces and seasonings. | – |
| Popcorn | ⚠️ In moderation | Only plain, air-popped and fully popped. No butter or salt. | Read the guide |
| Potatoes | ⚠️ In moderation | Plain and cooked only. Never raw or green. | Read the guide |
| Raw yeast dough | ❌ No | Can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol. | – |
| Salmon | ⚠️ In moderation | Cooked, plain and boneless. Raw can cause a fatal illness. | Read the guide |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters) | ❌ No | Highly toxic to dogs. Check labels for “xylitol” or “birch sugar.” | – |
We add new foods every week, so check back if yours isn’t here yet.
The 10% treat rule
Even the safe stuff has a limit. Treats and table food together should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories, and their regular, balanced food should do the rest. Go slow with anything new, keep it plain (no butter, salt, onion or garlic), and ask your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
If your dog ate something toxic
Don’t wait to see what happens. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, available 24/7 (a consultation fee may apply). Have the packaging handy, and know roughly how much your dog ate and when. Don’t make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different; talk to your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Sources: American Kennel Club, ASPCA.