Can Dogs Eat Human Food? Safe Foods, Treats and Foods to Avoid

Updated September 2026

[Yes, dogs can eat some foods that we eat.

But that does not mean everything on your plate is suitable for your dog.

Some plain human foods can be used as an occasional treat. Others are too rich, fatty, salty or heavily seasoned. A smaller group can be genuinely toxic.

The simplest rule is:

Your dog’s main diet should normally be an appropriate complete dog food. Treat human food as an occasional extra, not something that gradually replaces their balanced diet.

You also need to consider the individual dog.

Something safe for a healthy adult dog may be completely unsuitable for a dog with pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney disease, food allergies, digestive problems, or a veterinary prescription diet.

For my wider feeding guidance, start with my Dog Food & Nutrition Guide.

Summary

• Some plain human foods can be given to many dogs in small amounts.
• Human food should normally be an occasional extra rather than a replacement for a complete diet.
• Suitable examples can include small pieces of plain cooked chicken or turkey and modest amounts of certain dog-safe fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid adding salt, butter, sauces, oils, gravy, spices or seasoning.
• Treats and human-food extras should generally make up only a small part of the total diet.
• Chocolate, grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants, onions, garlic, leeks, chives, xylitol, macadamia nuts, alcohol and caffeine can all be dangerous.
• Bones can cause choking, dental injuries and digestive obstruction.
• Rich or fatty leftovers may cause digestive upset and can be particularly unsuitable for dogs with pancreatitis.
• A food being safe does not mean it is suitable for every individual dog.
• Dogs undergoing a veterinary food trial should not receive unapproved human foods.
• Puppies do not need table scraps to supplement an appropriate complete puppy diet.
• If your dog eats something potentially toxic, contact your veterinary practice promptly rather than waiting for symptoms.

Can dogs eat human food?

Some of it.

Dogs can eat a range of animal- and plant-based foods.

The important distinction is between:

• something being safe in a small amount
• something being healthy as an occasional treat
• something being nutritionally complete
• something being suitable for your particular dog

Those are not the same thing.

A strawberry might be safe for your dog.

That does not mean your dog needs strawberries.

A small piece of cooked chicken may be useful as a training reward.

That does not mean a bowl of chicken provides everything your dog needs nutritionally.

For more about the difference between a complete main diet and extras, read What Does Complete Dog Food Mean?

Human food should normally be an extra

For most dogs, I would build the diet around an appropriate complete food.

Human food can then occasionally be used as:

• a small treat
• a training reward
• part of suitable enrichment
• a small addition where appropriate

It should not quietly become half of everything the dog eats.

The British Veterinary Association advises choosing a complete diet for your dog’s main food and points out that nutritionally balancing a homemade diet is considerably harder than it appears.

How much human food can my dog have?

Think of it as part of the treat allowance.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends that treats make up no more than around 10% of a healthy dog’s daily calorie intake.

That includes more than packaged dog treats.

It also includes things such as:

• chicken used for training
• cheese
• pieces of fruit
• vegetables
• chews
• food from lick mats
• scraps from dinner
• pieces handed out by other family members

Ten per cent can disappear surprisingly quickly.

This matters particularly for small dogs.

A piece of food that looks tiny compared with your own dinner can represent a sizeable extra for a 5kg dog.

For more on total intake, read How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

And for weight and shape, see Healthy Weight and Body Condition in Dogs.

What human foods can dogs eat?

There are several foods that many healthy dogs can have in small amounts.

The important words are:

plain

small

occasional

and suitable for the individual dog.

Plain cooked chicken or turkey

Small pieces of plain, cooked lean chicken or turkey can be useful as treats.

Remove bones.

Avoid:

• seasoning
• gravy
• sauces
• onions
• garlic
• excessive skin or fat

A piece used during recall training is very different from sharing a heavily seasoned roast dinner.

Can dogs eat carrots?

Yes, many dogs can eat carrots.

They can be given raw or cooked in small pieces.

Make sure the size and texture are appropriate for your individual dog.

Carrots can also be useful if you want a lower-calorie treat than many commercial biscuits.

Can dogs eat green beans?

Plain green beans can be offered in small quantities.

They can be raw or cooked.

Do not add:

• butter
• salt
• sauces
• seasoning

The same principle applies to most vegetables that you deliberately share with your dog.

The vegetable may be safe.

The way humans prepare it may not be.

Can dogs eat peas?

Plain peas can be given to many dogs in modest amounts.

Again, they do not need butter, salt or seasoning.

Can dogs eat broccoli?

Dogs can have a small amount of broccoli.

PDSA specifically recommends keeping the amount small because larger quantities can cause problems.

It should be plain rather than covered in cheese sauce or seasoning.

Can dogs eat sweet potato?

Cooked, peeled sweet potato can be offered in small amounts.

Do not give it covered in:

• butter
• oil
• salt
• seasoning

It is still an extra rather than something your dog needs alongside an already complete diet.

Can dogs eat potatoes?

Cooked potato can be offered in small amounts when plain.

Raw potato should not be fed.

PDSA advises that raw potato contains solanine and should not be given to dogs.

Again, chips, roast potatoes and buttery mash are very different from a small piece of plain cooked potato.

Can dogs eat sweetcorn?

Dogs can eat a small amount of cooked sweetcorn removed from the cob.

Do not give your dog the cob.

Corn cobs can become dangerous gastrointestinal foreign bodies if swallowed.

This is a good example of why asking “Can dogs eat sweetcorn?” is not quite enough.

The food may be suitable.

Another part of it may be dangerous.

What fruit can dogs eat?

Some fruits can be offered in small amounts.

PDSA lists examples including:

• apple
• banana
• blueberries
• cranberries
• strawberries
• mango
• nectarine
• orange
• peach
• pear
• pineapple
• melon

Preparation matters.

Remove unsuitable:

• stones
• pips
• seeds
• cores
• thick rind or skin where appropriate

Fruit should only be a small occasional extra.

It contains sugar and doesn’t need to be a major part of the diet.

Read my guide on what fruit dogs can eat

Can dogs eat apples?

Yes, in small pieces.

Remove the:

• core
• seeds

Do not simply hand your dog an entire apple.

Cutting food into appropriate pieces also reduces the risk of gulping or choking.

Can dogs eat bananas?

A small amount of peeled banana is suitable for many dogs.

It is relatively sweet, so I would treat it as an occasional extra rather than filling enrichment toys with large quantities every day.

Can dogs eat blueberries?

Yes, many dogs can eat blueberries in small quantities.

Their small size can also make them useful as occasional rewards for some dogs.

Can dogs eat strawberries?

Plain strawberries can be offered in modest amounts.

That does not include:

• strawberry cake
• strawberry yoghurt full of added ingredients
• strawberries covered in chocolate
• sweetened strawberry desserts

The individual ingredient might be dog-safe.

The finished human product may not be.

I also have an article on can dogs eat blackberries

Can dogs eat cheese?

Some dogs tolerate small amounts of cheese.

But cheese can be high in fat and calories, and some dogs do not tolerate dairy particularly well.

I would therefore use it sparingly rather than treating cheese as an everyday default training reward.

Dogs with pancreatitis, weight-management needs or certain medical conditions may need to avoid it entirely.

Your dog’s usual food or another lower-calorie reward may often be sufficient.

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

Peanut butter is sometimes used in food toys, but it comes with an important warning.

Always check the ingredients.

Some products may contain xylitol, also sometimes called birch sugar.

Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs.

Even a xylitol-free peanut butter is calorie-dense and high in fat, so only use a small amount and consider whether it is appropriate for the individual dog.

Plain is usually better

One reason human leftovers cause problems is that people rarely eat ingredients individually.

We eat combinations.

Chicken may be safe.

But chicken cooked with:

• onion
• garlic
• butter
• gravy
• lots of salt
• spicy sauces

is a different proposition.

A potato may be safe when appropriately cooked.

Chips are not something I would turn into a routine dog treat.

Plain food gives you much more control over what the dog is actually eating.

Human food does not mean homemade dog food

There is an important difference between:

giving your dog a small piece of plain chicken as a treat

and

replacing their complete dog food with chicken, rice and vegetables every day.

A homemade bowl can look healthy without being nutritionally complete.

Dogs require nutrients in appropriate amounts and proportions.

You cannot reliably judge that from how colourful or wholesome the meal looks.

Which human foods must dogs avoid?

Some foods shouldn’t be thought of as “unhealthy treats”.

They can be poisonous.

Important examples include:

• chocolate
• grapes
• raisins
• sultanas
• currants
• onions
• garlic
• leeks
• chives
• xylitol
• macadamia nuts
• alcohol
• caffeine

Mouldy food can also contain dangerous toxins.

The PDSA lists these among important toxic and hazardous human foods for dogs.

For the detailed poisoning guide, read Toxic Foods for Dogs.

That page should remain the primary owner for what is toxic, symptoms and what to do after possible poisoning.

Why are grapes and raisins dangerous?

Grapes and dried vine fruits such as:

• raisins
• sultanas
• currants

can cause serious poisoning and kidney injury in dogs.

The amount that causes problems can vary.

Do not assume your dog is safe because they only ate a few.

If your dog eats grapes or dried vine fruit, contact your vet promptly.

Can dogs eat chocolate?

No.

Chocolate contains theobromine.

The risk depends partly on:

• the type of chocolate
• the amount eaten
• the size of the dog

Dark chocolate and cocoa products generally contain more theobromine than milk chocolate.

Do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking veterinary advice if you believe your dog has eaten a potentially dangerous amount.

What about onions and garlic?

Onions, garlic, leeks and chives belong to the allium family and can be toxic to dogs.

They can be present in foods where you might not immediately think about them, including:

• gravy
• sauces
• soups
• stuffing
• stock
• ready meals

This is another reason I prefer plain food if you are deliberately sharing something with your dog.

Xylitol needs particular care

Xylitol is a sweetener that can cause severe poisoning in dogs.

It may appear in products such as some:

• sugar-free foods
• sweets
• chewing gum
• nut butters
• baked products

Check ingredient lists rather than assuming “sugar free” means safer.

If your dog eats something containing xylitol, contact your vet immediately.

Can dogs eat leftovers?

I would not make a habit of giving dogs general plate scraps.

There are several reasons.

You may not know exactly how much:

• salt
• fat
• butter
• oil
• seasoning
• onion
• garlic
• sauce

is in the finished dish.

Leftovers also make it easy to lose track of how much additional food the dog is receiving.

What about fatty food?

Rich and fatty human food can cause digestive upset.

For some dogs, particularly those with pancreatitis or a history of pancreatic problems, fatty food can be much more serious.

Foods such as:

• fatty meat trimmings
• greasy leftovers
• large amounts of cheese
• fried food
• rich sauces

are not sensible routine treats.

If your dog has a history of pancreatitis, follow the diet recommended by your veterinary team rather than experimenting with human-food treats.

Should dogs eat bones?

I would not recommend using bones as casual human-food leftovers.

Bones can cause:

• broken teeth
• choking
• mouth injuries
• digestive obstruction
• internal injury

The WSAVA specifically warns that both cooked and raw bones can cause significant harm.

A leftover chicken bone is not a suitable dog treat.

What if my dog is overweight?

Human-food extras can easily become invisible calories.

Everybody remembers breakfast and dinner.

Nobody remembers:

• the slice of chicken
• the bit of toast
• two pieces of cheese
• the biscuit
• the dental chew
• several training treats

Individually they look tiny.

Together they can become a substantial part of the day’s intake.

If weight is a concern, read Healthy Weight and Body Condition in Dogs.

Can I use human food for dog training?

Yes, provided the food is dog-safe and appropriate for that individual dog.

Tiny pieces of plain cooked chicken or turkey can be useful as higher-value rewards.

But not every behaviour requires them.

If your dog happily works for part of their normal food in an easy environment, use that.

Save more valuable food for situations where it genuinely helps.

My Training Rewards for Dogs guide explains how I match reward value to the situation.

[INTERNAL LINK: Training Rewards for Dogs]

My Dog Treats Guide also covers choosing treats, portion sizes and reading labels.

Puppies and human food

Puppies do not need a collection of human foods added to make their diet more nutritious.

A suitable complete puppy food is formulated for growth.

Puppies also receive a surprising amount of food during:

• toilet training
• name response
• recall
• handling
• settling
• puppy classes
• enrichment

Using part of their normal daily food allowance can help prevent the extras mounting up.

For the complete feeding guide, read Puppy Feeding Guide: What, How Much and How Often Should You Feed a Puppy?

Dogs on veterinary food trials

This is one situation where a tiny human-food treat really can matter.

If your veterinary team is investigating a possible food allergy using an elimination diet or food trial, your dog should normally receive only the foods specifically permitted within that trial.

PDSA warns that human foods, ordinary treats and dental chews can interfere with the results.

Do not spoil several weeks of careful investigation because somebody gave the dog a piece of chicken.

Dogs on prescription diets

The same caution applies if your dog has a prescribed diet for a condition such as:

• kidney disease
• diabetes
• gastrointestinal disease
• pancreatitis
• urinary disease
• food allergy
• significant obesity

A human food that is generally safe may undermine the reason your vet prescribed the diet.

Ask before adding extras.

Does my dog need fruit and vegetables?

Not if they are already eating an appropriate complete food.

PDSA specifically notes that dogs do not need fruit and vegetables added to their diet, although suitable types can be used in small amounts as occasional treats.

There is an important difference between:

“my dog can eat carrots”

and:

“my dog needs carrots”.

They are not the same statement.

Can giving human food make a dog fussy?

It can contribute.

Imagine refusing your dinner and discovering that roast chicken appears instead.

Some dogs learn that waiting can produce something more exciting.

That does not mean every selective eater has simply been spoiled.

Dental pain, digestive problems, illness, medication, stress and other health problems can all affect appetite.

If your dog suddenly becomes reluctant to eat food they previously enjoyed, particularly alongside other changes, speak to your veterinary practice rather than continually upgrading the menu.

What if several people feed the dog?

This is where extras can really mount up.

One person gives breakfast.

Someone else gives a biscuit.

A child shares some chicken.

Another person does ten minutes of training.

Someone gives a dental chew.

Nobody thinks they have fed very much.

The dog thinks it has been an excellent day.

If weight or calorie intake matters, agree as a household what the dog’s daily treat allowance is.

You could even place the day’s permitted treats in one container.

When they are gone, they are gone.

Human food and enrichment

Dog-safe human foods can sometimes be used in enrichment.

But enrichment does not make calories disappear.

If you fill a toy with:

• chicken
• banana
• peanut butter
• cheese

that still contributes to the dog’s daily intake.

You can also use part of the dog’s normal complete food.

My Ditch the Bowl at Mealtimes guide has ideas for using food as enrichment rather than automatically adding more food.

What if my dog steals human food?

First work out what they actually ate.

If it could contain something toxic, contact your veterinary practice promptly.

Be ready to tell them:

• what was eaten
• approximately how much
• when it happened
• the dog’s approximate weight
• the product or ingredients
• any symptoms
• relevant medical conditions

Keep:

• the packaging
• ingredient list
• photograph of the label

if you have them.

Do not simply wait to see whether symptoms develop after a known toxic exposure.

The PDSA advises contacting your vet immediately when a dog has eaten something potentially harmful.

Should I make my dog vomit?

Not unless a veterinary professional specifically tells you to.

Trying to make a dog vomit at home can create additional risks.

Contact your vet and follow their instructions.

For wider emergency information, go to my Dog Health & First Aid Guide.

[INTERNAL LINK: Dog Health & First Aid Guide]

What I would check before sharing food

Before giving your dog something from the kitchen, ask:

Is it known to be safe for dogs?

If you are not sure, check first.

Is it plain?

Avoid sauces, salt, seasoning, butter and unknown ingredients.

Have I removed dangerous parts?

Think about:

• bones
• stones
• pips
• seeds
• cores
• cobs
• tough rind

Is the portion genuinely small?

Think in relation to the dog’s size, not yours.

Has my dog already had lots of treats today?

Extras add up.

Does my dog have a medical condition?

If so, ask whether the food is appropriate.

Is my dog on a food trial?

If yes, do not add unapproved foods.

Am I replacing too much complete food?

Human food should not gradually take over the diet.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat human food every day?

A small amount of suitable human food can potentially be used regularly as part of the treat allowance, but your dog’s main diet should normally remain nutritionally complete and appropriate.

What human food is safest for dogs?

There is no single safest food for every dog.

Small pieces of plain cooked lean meat and suitable plain fruits or vegetables can work for many healthy dogs.

Individual health and tolerance still matter.

Can dogs eat chicken?

Many dogs can eat plain, boneless cooked chicken in small amounts.

Avoid seasoning, sauces, excessive fat and cooked bones.

Can dogs eat turkey?

Plain, boneless cooked turkey can be used in small amounts for many dogs.

Again, avoid seasoned leftovers, stuffing, gravy and bones.

Can dogs eat vegetables?

Several plain vegetables can be used as occasional treats, including carrots, green beans and peas.

Preparation and portion size matter.

Can dogs eat fruit?

Some fruits are suitable in small amounts.

Remove inappropriate stones, pips, seeds, cores and rinds.

Never give grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants.

Can dogs eat cheese?

Some dogs tolerate a small amount, but cheese can be high in calories and fat.

It is unsuitable for some dogs and should not become a routine large treat.

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

Only if you check the ingredients carefully and the product contains no xylitol.

Use only a small amount because peanut butter is calorie-dense.

Can dogs eat leftovers?

I would avoid making general plate leftovers a routine part of the diet because they can contain inappropriate fat, salt, sauces, seasoning or toxic ingredients.

Can dogs eat bones?

Bones can cause dental injuries, choking and gastrointestinal problems.

I would not recommend giving leftover bones as treats.

Is human food better than dog food?

Not simply because humans eat it.

A complete dog food is formulated to provide the dog’s required nutrients.

An assortment of human ingredients is not automatically nutritionally balanced.

What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?

Contact your veterinary practice promptly and tell them what type of chocolate was eaten, approximately how much, when it happened and your dog’s approximate weight.

What should I do if my dog eats grapes or raisins?

Contact your veterinary practice immediately.

Do not wait for symptoms before asking for advice.

Final thoughts

Dogs can eat some human foods.

The important word is “some”.

You do not need to ban every piece of food that did not arrive in a dog-food packet.

But you also do not need to share everything you eat.

Keep your dog’s normal diet nutritionally complete.

Keep human-food extras small.

Keep them plain.

Check unfamiliar ingredients before sharing them.

Remember the treats and extras when you consider the day’s total food.

Know which foods need to stay completely out of reach.

If your dog has a medical condition, follows a veterinary diet or is undergoing a food trial, what is suitable for another dog may not be suitable for yours.

And if your dog eats something potentially poisonous, contact your veterinary practice promptly rather than waiting for symptoms.

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This guide provides general information about foods that may or may not be suitable for dogs. It is not a complete list of toxic substances and does not replace veterinary advice. Speak to your veterinary practice if your dog has a medical condition, follows a prescription diet, has food allergies or digestive problems, or if you are unsure whether a particular food is safe. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic, contact a veterinary professional promptly.