Lots of foods that are safe for people can be dangerous for dogs. This guide lists the foods the PDSA, the UK veterinary charity, says to keep away from dogs, the fruit and vegetables it says are usually fine as small occasional treats, and what to do if your dog eats something it shouldn’t. We’ve kept to what the PDSA and other veterinary bodies publish, and we haven’t added items from memory. Their lists aren’t exhaustive. If you’re unsure about a food, ask your vet.
If your dog has eaten something harmful
Contact your vet immediately. The PDSA advises contacting your vet straight away if your pet is unwell, and calling your vet if you suspect your dog has eaten grapes or raisins, because symptoms and the toxic dose vary. Don’t wait for symptoms. If you can, tell the vet what was eaten, roughly how much and when, and keep the packaging.
Foods to keep away from dogs
The list below follows the PDSA’s guidance on toxic and hazardous foods (PDSA: poisons and hazards for your pets) and the foods its vets don’t recommend in your dog’s diet.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which the PDSA says can be fatal to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the higher the risk. Keep dogs away from anything containing chocolate, including cakes, sweets, cookies and cocoa powder.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant, and pets are much more sensitive to it than we are. The PDSA says it can affect the heart and blood pressure and may cause seizures. It’s found in tea, coffee, energy drinks, chocolate and some human painkillers.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants
These contain toxins that are potentially fatal to dogs, and in severe cases can cause kidney failure. The PDSA says symptoms and toxic dose vary, so it’s impossible to know whether your dog will be affected. Call your vet if you suspect your dog has eaten any.
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives
According to the PDSA, these contain chemicals that are toxic to dogs, and severe poisoning can lead to anaemia (a low red blood cell count).
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that the PDSA says is extremely harmful to dogs and can be fatal. It’s found in low-sugar and sugar-free products, including sugar-free chewing gum, sweets, medications, some nut butters and nicotine replacement gum. It may be listed as “birch sugar” in the ingredients.
Macadamia nuts
The PDSA says these are toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Symptoms include weakness, tremors, vomiting and diarrhoea. Other nuts aren’t toxic in the same way, but their high fat content can cause a stomach upset and pancreatitis.
Alcohol
Alcohol is toxic to pets. The PDSA says it affects the nervous system and can cause drowsiness, low body temperature, low blood sugar and even coma.
Mouldy food and food waste
Mouldy food can contain mycotoxins that are potentially fatal to dogs. The PDSA advises making sure your dog can’t get into food waste, food bins or compost bins.
Blue cheese
Blue cheese is made using a fungus that dogs can be sensitive to. The PDSA says it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature and even seizures.
Bones, cooked or raw
The PDSA says bones are very hazardous to dogs. They can injure the mouth, teeth and throat, cause blockages and constipation, and splinter. Cooked bones have a higher risk of splintering.
Avocado, stones and pits
The PDSA says avocado is safe in small amounts for dogs, but its high fat content can cause stomach upset, and the pit can cause a blockage if swallowed. Other foods with stones or pits, such as peaches, and corn on the cob can also cause a blockage.
Salt
Salt poisoning is rare, but the PDSA says it can be fatal if a dog eats a large amount of salt very quickly without access to water.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s guide to feeding treats to your dog lists the same core toxic foods, and adds shallots and raw yeast dough.
Fruit and vegetables that are usually fine as small treats
The PDSA says dogs don’t need fruit or vegetables in their diet but can have a small amount as an occasional treat. Give it plain (no oil, butter, salt or flavourings), in bite-sized pieces and free of pips, stones and seeds. Most fruit is high in sugar, so the PDSA says to keep fruit to very small quantities.
| Food | How the PDSA says to prepare it |
|---|---|
| Apples | De-seeded and cored |
| Bananas | Peeled |
| Blueberries | Plain |
| Cranberries | Plain |
| Strawberries | Plain |
| Mango | Stone and skin removed |
| Nectarine | Stone removed |
| Orange | Skin and seeds removed |
| Peach | Stone removed |
| Pears | Seeds, core and pit removed |
| Pineapple | Skin removed |
| Melon | Rind and seeds removed |
| Broccoli | Raw or steamed, very small quantities only |
| Brussels sprouts | Steamed or boiled, very small quantities only |
| Carrots | Raw or cooked |
| Celery | Raw |
| Green beans | Raw or cooked |
| Peas | Raw or cooked |
| Potatoes | Never raw. Cooked, plain, small amounts, skin removed |
| Sweet potatoes | Cooked and peeled |
| Sweetcorn | Cooked and cut off the cob (never the cob) |
Treats and the daily intake
Treats are part of what your dog eats in a day, so they count:
- The PDSA says the odd healthy treat is fine but too many can lead to weight gain, and when you give a treat you should reduce meals accordingly. As well as the fruit and veg above, it suggests small pieces of lean meat, such as cooked chicken breast, turkey or ham.
- WSAVA says treats should always make up less than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake, should never replace a meal, and should be an appropriate size and shape to reduce the risk of choking.
- The RSPCA notes that human food isn’t ideal, because most of our meals won’t give dogs the nutrition they need (RSPCA: a healthy diet for dogs).
If your dog has a medical condition or is on a vet-prescribed diet, WSAVA says conventional treats may not be appropriate, so ask your vet first. For choosing the main diet, see our guides to reading a dog food label and wet vs dry dog food.
FAQ
Can dogs eat bananas?
Yes, as a small occasional treat. The PDSA lists bananas, peeled, among its dog-friendly fruit, and notes that most fruit is high in sugar.
Can dogs eat blueberries?
Yes. Blueberries are on the PDSA’s list of dog-friendly fruit for very small, occasional amounts.
Can dogs eat cheese?
The PDSA specifically warns about blue cheese, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature and even seizures. Our sources don’t give general guidance on other cheeses, so ask your vet before offering cheese.
Can dogs eat rice?
The PDSA and RSPCA pages we used don’t cover plain rice as a treat, so we can’t give a sourced answer. Ask your vet, especially if you’re thinking of feeding it because your dog is unwell.
Can dogs eat grapes?
No. The PDSA says grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are potentially fatal to dogs. Call your vet if your dog eats any.
Can dogs eat onions?
No. The PDSA lists onions, garlic, leeks and chives as toxic to dogs.
Sources
Checked on 22 October 2026. This guide isn’t a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has eaten something harmful, contact your vet immediately.
- PDSA, Poisons and hazards for your pets.
- PDSA, Your dog’s diet.
- RSPCA, A healthy diet for dogs.
- WSAVA, Feeding treats to your dog.