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Can my pet eat this?

A quick food-safety checker for dogs and cats. Search a food and see at a glance whether it is safe, fine in moderation, one to be careful with, or never to be given, with a link to the full guide.

A dog and a cat at home

SafeIn moderationCautionNever

Chocolate

DogsNeverToxic. Dark and cooking chocolate are worst.More
CatsNeverToxic to cats too. Keep well away.More

Grapes and raisins

DogsNeverCan cause kidney failure, even in small amounts.More
CatsNeverBest treated as toxic. Do not feed.More

Onions

DogsNeverDamages red blood cells. Includes cooked and powdered.More
CatsNeverToxic to cats. Watch for onion in cooked food.More

Garlic

DogsNeverIn the onion family, toxic to dogs.More
CatsNeverToxic to cats, more so than onion by weight.More

Xylitol (sweetener)

DogsNeverExtremely dangerous, even tiny amounts. In sugar-free gum.More
CatsNeverBest avoided entirely.More

Alcohol

DogsNeverToxic in any form. Never give.More
CatsNeverToxic in any form. Never give.More

Caffeine and coffee

DogsNeverToxic. Keep coffee, tea, and energy drinks away.More
CatsNeverToxic to cats. Keep well away.More

Macadamia nuts

DogsNeverToxic to dogs even in small amounts.More
CatsCautionNot toxic like in dogs, but fatty and not suitable.More

Avocado

DogsCautionBest avoided. The stone is a real choking and blockage risk.More
CatsCautionBest avoided. Fatty, and the stone is a hazard.More

Raw bread dough

DogsNeverDangerous. Rises in the stomach and ferments to alcohol.More
CatsNeverDangerous for the same reasons. Keep away.More

Cooked bones

DogsNeverNever give cooked bones. They splinter and can cause serious injury.More
CatsNeverNever give cooked bones. Splintering and blockage risk.More

Apple

DogsSafeFine in moderation. Remove the pips and core.More
CatsIn moderationA little is fine, pips and core removed. Not a favourite.More

Banana

DogsSafeA fine occasional treat, small amounts.More
CatsIn moderationHarmless in tiny amounts, but sugary and not needed.More

Blueberries

DogsSafeA healthy, low-calorie favourite.More
CatsIn moderationSafe in tiny amounts as an occasional treat.More

Strawberries

DogsSafeFine in moderation.More
CatsIn moderationA tiny amount is harmless, but not needed.More

Watermelon

DogsSafeFine, seedless flesh only, no rind.More
CatsIn moderationA little seedless flesh is harmless.More

Carrots

DogsSafeA great low-calorie treat, raw or cooked.More
CatsIn moderationSafe cooked and plain, in small amounts.More

Pumpkin

DogsSafePlain pumpkin is great for digestion.More
CatsSafePlain pumpkin in small amounts can help digestion.More

Cucumber

DogsSafeA safe, hydrating, low-calorie treat.More
CatsSafeSafe in small amounts, though many cats ignore it.More

Green beans

DogsSafePlain, cooked or raw, a healthy treat.More
CatsIn moderationPlain and cooked, fine in small amounts.More

Chicken

DogsSafePlain cooked chicken, no bones or skin, is a great treat.More
CatsSafeOne of the best treats, plain, cooked, boneless.More

Salmon

DogsSafePlain cooked salmon, boneless, is fine.More
CatsSafeCooked, boneless, occasional. Never raw.More

Tuna

DogsIn moderationA little plain tuna is fine occasionally.More
CatsIn moderationAn occasional treat only, not a staple.More

Eggs

DogsSafeCooked, plain egg is a good source of protein.More
CatsSafeCooked, plain, in moderation. Never raw.More

Cheese

DogsIn moderationSmall amounts only. Some dogs handle dairy poorly.More
CatsIn moderationA poor treat. Many cats cannot digest dairy.More

Milk

DogsIn moderationMany dogs are lactose intolerant. Water is better.More
CatsCautionMost cats cannot digest milk. Skip it despite the myth.More

Yogurt

DogsIn moderationPlain, unsweetened, in small amounts. No xylitol.More
CatsIn moderationA little plain yogurt is usually tolerated, but not needed.More

Peanut butter

DogsSafeFine if it is xylitol-free. Check the label.More
CatsIn moderationNot toxic, but fatty and not suitable as a regular treat.More

Rice

DogsSafePlain cooked rice is gentle and good for upset tummies.More
CatsIn moderationA little plain cooked rice is harmless.More

Bread

DogsIn moderationPlain baked bread in small amounts. Never raw dough.More
CatsIn moderationA little plain bread is harmless but offers nothing.More

Popcorn

DogsIn moderationPlain, air-popped only. No salt, butter, or sweet coatings.More
CatsIn moderationA few plain popped kernels are harmless.More

Oranges

DogsIn moderationA little peeled orange is fine. Many dogs dislike citrus.More
CatsCautionCitrus is not suitable for cats. Best avoided.More

Tomato

DogsIn moderationRipe flesh only. Green parts and leaves are not safe.More
CatsCautionRipe flesh in tiny amounts only. Green parts are toxic.More

Sweetcorn

DogsIn moderationPlain kernels off the cob. Never the cob itself.More
CatsIn moderationA few plain kernels are harmless.More

Ham and bacon

DogsCautionVery salty and fatty. Best avoided or tiny amounts only.More
CatsCautionToo salty and fatty for cats. Best avoided.More

Mushrooms

DogsCautionShop mushrooms plain are low-risk, but never wild ones.More
CatsCautionBest avoided, and never wild mushrooms.More

How to use the checker

Type a food into the search box and you will see a separate verdict for dogs and for cats: safe, fine in moderation, one to be careful with, or never to be given. Each comes with a short note, and where we have a full guide, a link to read more. The dangerous foods are the ones worth learning by heart, but the checker is here for the everyday question of whether you can share what is on your plate.

The foods that are never safe

Some foods are toxic to both dogs and cats and should be kept well away: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine, and raw bread dough, along with cooked bones. For the fuller picture, see our guides to safe and toxic foods for dogs and safe and toxic foods for cats.

Foods that are toxic to dogs and cats: chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine, macadamia nuts, raw dough, cooked bones, and mouldy food
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Common questions

What foods are most dangerous to dogs and cats?

The most important toxic ones for both are chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol (a sweetener in sugar-free gum and some foods), alcohol, and caffeine. Cooked bones and raw bread dough are dangerous too. Keep all of these well out of reach, and search any specific food above before you share it.

Can dogs and cats eat the same foods?

There is a lot of overlap, especially on the dangerous list, since chocolate, onions, grapes, and the rest are toxic to both. But suitability differs, cats are strict carnivores, so many fruits and vegetables that suit dogs are simply not appropriate for cats even when they are not harmful. The checker gives a separate verdict for dogs and cats for exactly this reason.

My pet ate something toxic, what should I do?

Contact your vet or an animal poison line straight away, even if your pet seems fine, and have ready what it ate, roughly how much, and your pet's weight. With several toxins the damage is done before symptoms appear, so do not wait. For chocolate specifically, our dog chocolate toxicity calculator can help you gauge the urgency while you call.

Is this checker a substitute for a vet?

No. It is general guidance to help you decide what is safe to share day to day, and to react quickly if your pet gets into something. Individual animals vary, amounts matter, and only your vet can advise on your specific pet. If your pet is unwell or has eaten something dangerous, always contact your vet.

This checker offers general guidance only and is not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. Individual pets and amounts vary. If in doubt, or in an emergency, always contact your vet or an animal poison helpline.

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