Can my dog eat that?
Type in a food below to check whether it's safe, fine in moderation, or one to avoid altogether. Every entry is checked against PDSA, Blue Cross, Battersea, the Kennel Club and the ASPCA's poison control list, not guesswork.
- Toxic call your vet straight away
- Avoid not an emergency, but not worth the risk
- Moderation fine occasionally, plain, in small amounts
- Safe fine as an occasional treat
This list can't cover everything. It's built from reputable, published sources, but new foods, brands and recipes appear all the time, and things like xylitol turn up in products you wouldn't expect. If your dog eats something toxic, or you're at all unsure, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine straight away rather than searching for reassurance, don't wait to see if symptoms appear.
Does breed or size change any of this?
The verdicts below hold for any dog, but a few genuine differences are worth knowing before you search:
- Body weight: toxic doses are based on body weight, so the same amount of chocolate, xylitol or grapes is far more dangerous for a small dog than a large one, don't judge risk by how "little" something seems in human terms.
- Akitas and Shiba Inus are genetically more sensitive to onion and garlic than most breeds, so treat them with extra caution around anything containing them.
- Breeds prone to pancreatitis, Miniature Schnauzers especially, are worth being stricter with on fatty treats like cheese, bacon and sausages, even though those are fine in moderation for most dogs.
- Large, deep-chested breeds (Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Weimaraners and similar) are already more prone to life-threatening bloat, which is part of why raw dough is a particular worry for them.
Not listed here, which isn't the same as "safe". If you're not sure, ring your vet or the Animal PoisonLine rather than wait and see, especially if your dog's already eaten it.
For the fuller picture on treats generally, portion sizes and how much is too much, my guide to treats and human food covers the reasoning behind this list in more depth. And if your dog's already eaten something they shouldn't have, my dog first aid guide covers exactly what to do and when to call for help.
Where this advice comes from
Every verdict above is checked against the vets and welfare organisations who publish this properly, not written from memory. Their versions are worth reading in full:
- PDSA on poisons and hazards for pets
- Blue Cross on foods poisonous to dogs and fruit and veg dogs can and can't eat
- Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on toxic food for dogs
- The Kennel Club on poisonous food for dogs
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control on people foods to avoid feeding pets
- Pet Poison Helpline on onion toxicity and breed sensitivity in Japanese breeds
- UFAW on Miniature Schnauzers and pancreatitis
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine on gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
Checked against the sources above in September 2026. It's general guidance, not a diagnosis for your own dog, if your dog has eaten something and shows any symptoms, don't wait, call your vet.