Can my dog eat this?
The moment food comes out, most dogs are ready to help. But before sharing something from your plate, there is one important question to answer: can your dog actually eat it?
Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it is a definite no. Often, it depends on the ingredients, how the food has been prepared and how much you are planning to give them.
We have put 30 common foods into a simple one-page guide, including how suitable foods should be served and what owners need to watch out for.
Four common foods, four different answers
These are four of the foods owners ask about most often. All four can be shared with many dogs, but only when they are prepared correctly and offered in sensible portions.
Can dogs eat popcorn?
Yes, but keep it air-popped and completely plain. Butter, salt, sugar and flavourings turn a simple snack into something your dog does not need. Remove any hard, unpopped kernels before offering a few pieces.
Can dogs eat cheese?
A small amount of mild cheese is suitable for many dogs. Cheese can be high in fat and salt, however, and some dogs do not tolerate dairy well. Avoid blue cheese and any cheese containing ingredients such as onion or garlic.
Can dogs eat sweet potato?
Yes, when it has been thoroughly cooked and served plain. Allow it to cool and cut it into manageable pieces. Do not serve it raw or add butter, oil, salt or seasoning.
Can dogs eat broccoli?
Plain broccoli can be offered in small, chopped pieces. Too much may upset your dog's stomach, so it is better treated as an occasional extra than a large addition to their meal.
This is why a simple yes or no does not always tell the whole story. A food may be suitable on its own but unsuitable once it has been seasoned, cooked with other ingredients or served in a large portion. [1]
What can change the answer?
Before sharing food with your dog, check more than the name on the packet.
- The exact ingredients. Sauces, gravies, marinades and seasonings may contain ingredients that are unsuitable for dogs.
- The part being served. Fruit flesh may be suitable while the stone, core, pips, skin or rind needs to be removed.
- How it was prepared. Plain cooked food can be very different from the fried, salted or heavily seasoned version on your plate.
- The portion. A food being suitable does not mean your dog should have a bowlful of it.
- Your individual dog. Age, size, allergies, digestive sensitivities and medical conditions can all affect what is appropriate.
Safe does not mean unlimited
Your dog's usual complete food should still provide most of their daily nutrition. Treats and extras should account for no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake. [2]
Start with a small amount whenever you offer something new. If your dog has a health condition, food sensitivity or prescribed diet, check with your vet before introducing additional foods.
Some foods should always prompt a call
Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, leeks, chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine and products containing xylitol can all be dangerous to dogs. Xylitol may also appear on labels as birch sugar or E967. [3] [4]
If your dog eats something potentially toxic, contact your vet or Animal PoisonLine promptly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear and do not try to make your dog vomit unless a veterinary professional tells you to do so. Keep the packaging and note what was eaten, approximately how much and when it happened. [5]
