Dog food safety checker
Can dogs eat it?
Search what your dog ate and get a quick safety answer: safe, caution, or unsafe.
DogFoodSafe gives general guidance only. If your dog ate something unsafe, is showing symptoms, or you are unsure, contact a veterinarian or pet poison control.
Popular dog food safety checks
Start with foods and ingredients dog owners frequently need to check.
Do not give dogs chocolate protein bars. Chocolate can be poisonous to dogs, and many protein bars also…
UnsafePestoPesto is not safe for dogs, especially traditional basil pesto that contains garlic or onion. Even small amounts…
CautionRotisserie ChickenRotisserie chicken is not a good choice for dogs. Plain boneless, skinless, unseasoned chicken may be safe, but…
SafeCooked Lean BeefPlain, thoroughly cooked lean beef is generally safe for dogs in small amounts. It should be unseasoned and…
CautionCotton CandyDo not give Cotton Candy to dogs. A small accidental amount may not be the same as a…
CautionPop RocksPop Rocks is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionMushroom SoupMushrooms are a broad category. Some store-bought edible mushrooms may be less concerning when plain, while wild mushrooms…
UnsafeGarlic ButterNo. Dogs should not eat garlic butter. Garlic is unsafe for dogs, and the added fat and salt…
CautionChicken Noodle SoupPlain, unseasoned chicken and noodles are usually low risk in small amounts, but chicken noodle soup is often…
UnsafeGrapesNo. Dogs should not eat grapes or raisins. Contact a veterinarian if your dog ate any amount.
Common foods dogs should avoid
Start with risky foods, sweeteners, drinks, and ingredients that often worry dog owners.
Cigarettes are toxic to dogs and should never be offered. Even small exposures can be dangerous if a…
UnsafeVape LiquidVape liquid is not food or a treat for dogs. It can be toxic, especially because it may…
UnsafeCigar ButtsCigar butts are toxic to dogs and should not be eaten. Even a small amount can cause nicotine…
UnsafeSugar-Free Baked GoodsDo not give dogs sugar-free baked goods. Many of these products can contain xylitol (birch sugar), which is…
UnsafeAlcoholNo. Alcohol is dangerous for dogs.
UnsafeAlcoholic BeerNo—beer is toxic to dogs and can cause alcohol poisoning even in small amounts, especially if it also…
UnsafeBlack TeaBlack tea is not safe for dogs because it contains caffeine. Even plain tea can be a problem,…
UnsafeBlue CheeseBlue cheese can be risky for dogs and should be avoided.
Safe foods in small amounts
Plain, simple options that may be okay for many dogs when served sensibly.
Plain, fully cooked egg yolk is generally safe for dogs as an occasional small treat.
SafeApple Slices Without SeedsYes. Plain Apple Slices Without Seeds can be okay for many dogs in small amounts.
SafeBoiled ChickenPlain, fully cooked, boneless, unseasoned boiled chicken is generally safe for dogs in small amounts. Do not give…
SafeCanned PeasYes. Plain Canned Peas can be okay for many dogs in small amounts.
SafeCeleryYes. Plain Celery can be okay for many dogs in small amounts.
SafeCooked Egg WhitesPlain, fully cooked egg whites are generally safe for dogs as an occasional small add-on food. Serve them…
SafeCooked EggsYes. Plain Cooked Eggs can be okay for many dogs in small amounts.
SafeCooked HaddockPlain, fully cooked haddock is generally safe for dogs in small, occasional amounts.
Foods that need caution
These may depend on the amount, preparation, added ingredients, or your dog’s reaction.
Fish Sauce is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionTeriyaki SauceTeriyaki Sauce is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionHot SauceHot sauce is not a safe dog food. Even small amounts can upset a dog’s stomach, and many…
CautionAlfredo SauceAlfredo sauce is not a safe dog food. Many recipes contain garlic or onion, and the sauce is…
CautionAlmond ButterAlmond Butter may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionAlmond MilkAlmond Milk may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionApple PieApple Pie is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionAsiago CheeseCheese and dairy are a broad group. Some dogs tolerate tiny amounts, while lactose, fat, salt, flavorings, and…
Did your dog eat something risky?
If your dog ate grapes, chocolate, xylitol, onion, medication, alcohol, coffee, or another risky item, contact a veterinarian or pet poison control immediately. Do not wait for symptoms if the item may be unsafe.
If symptoms appear, the amount was large, or ingredients are unclear, contact a veterinarian.
Browse by category
Explore published guides by food type and risk level.
Prepared food guides
Published guides only. Use the search box above for a faster answer.
No. Dogs should not eat garlic butter. Garlic is unsafe for dogs, and the added fat and salt…
UnsafeLeek SoupLeek soup is not safe for dogs. Leeks are an allium, and soups often also contain onion, garlic,…
UnsafeLiquorLiquor is toxic to dogs and can cause alcohol poisoning even in small amounts. Keep all alcoholic drinks,…
UnsafeOnion SoupDo not give onion soup to dogs. Most onion soups contain onion or onion powder, and may also…
UnsafeShallot SauceDo not give dogs shallot sauce. Shallots are in the onion family and can damage a dog’s red…
CautionAlfredo SauceAlfredo sauce is not a safe dog food. Many recipes contain garlic or onion, and the sauce is…
CautionBone BrothBone Broth may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionCanned SoupCanned Soup may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionCerealCereal may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionCheesecakeCheese and dairy are a broad group. Some dogs tolerate tiny amounts, while lactose, fat, salt, flavorings, and…
CautionChicken Noodle SoupPlain, unseasoned chicken and noodles are usually low risk in small amounts, but chicken noodle soup is often…
CautionChicken SkinChicken skin is not recommended for dogs because it is fatty and may be heavily salted or seasoned.
CautionCooked WhitefishPlain, fully cooked whitefish can usually be a low-risk treat for dogs, but only if it is boneless…
CautionCookiesMost cookies are not a good dog snack. Plain cookie crumbs may cause stomach upset, but many cookies…
CautionCrab MeatPlain, fully cooked crab meat can be a cautious occasional treat for some dogs, but only if all…
CautionCream SauceCream sauce is not a reliable dog food because the recipe may include onion, garlic, heavy salt, butter,…
CautionCream SoupCream Soup may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionDeli MeatSmall accidental tastes of plain deli meat are not usually an emergency, but deli meat is not a…
CautionFish SauceFish Sauce is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionGravyPlain gravy is not a good dog food. Small accidental licks are often only a stomach-upset risk, but…
CautionHummusHummus is not a good dog snack. Most hummus contains garlic or onion, plus salt, lemon, and oil,…
CautionPancakesPancakes may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionPlain BarleyPlain, fully cooked barley is generally safe for most dogs in small amounts, but uncooked barley, salty seasonings,…
CautionPlain QuinoaPlain, fully cooked quinoa is generally low-risk for dogs in small amounts, but it should be rinsed and…
CautionRice CakesRice Cakes is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionRotisserie ChickenRotisserie chicken is not a good choice for dogs. Plain boneless, skinless, unseasoned chicken may be safe, but…
CautionTeriyaki SauceTeriyaki Sauce is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionTomato SauceTomato Sauce is a caution item. It is not something to offer routinely; risk depends on ingredients, amount,…
CautionTomato SoupTomato Soup may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionTurkey SkinTurkey skin is not recommended for dogs. It is fatty and is often coated with butter, oil, salt,…
CautionUnsweetened ApplesauceUnsweetened Applesauce may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
CautionWafflesWaffles may be okay in some cases, but ingredients, amount, and your dog’s reaction matter.
SafeCooked Lean BeefPlain, thoroughly cooked lean beef is generally safe for dogs in small amounts. It should be unseasoned and…
SafeWhite RicePlain, fully cooked white rice is generally safe for dogs in small amounts. It is often used temporarily…
How to read our safety levels
DogFoodSafe is a general safety guide, not a replacement for veterinary care.
Generally okay for many dogs when served plain and in sensible amounts.
May depend on portion size, preparation, added ingredients, or your dog’s sensitivity.
Should be avoided. Contact a veterinarian or pet poison control if your dog ate it.
Important: Dogs can react individually. Size, age, health, medication, amount eaten, and added ingredients can change the risk. DogFoodSafe may contain errors or outdated information despite careful review. If you are unsure, your dog has symptoms, or your dog may have eaten something unsafe, always contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control service.