Can My Dog Eat This? Food Safety Checker
Type in a food to see if it's safe for your dog, how to serve it, and what to do if your dog already ate something dangerous.
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The most dangerous foods for dogs
These foods can make dogs seriously ill, even in small amounts. If your dog eats any of them, call your vet or a poison control line right away.
| Food | Why it's dangerous |
|---|---|
| Xylitol | A sweetener in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, some peanut butters, and toothpaste. Causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar and can damage the liver. |
| Grapes and raisins | Can cause kidney damage. Watch for hidden raisins in baked goods, cereal, and trail mix. |
| Chocolate | Contains theobromine and caffeine. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder are the most dangerous. |
| Onions, garlic, chives | Damage red blood cells and can cause anemia. Includes powders and cooked forms, like onion rings. |
| Macadamia nuts | Cause weakness, tremors, trouble walking, and fever, usually within 12 hours. |
| Alcohol | Absorbed quickly. Can cause vomiting, poor coordination, breathing trouble, tremors, and worse. |
| Raw yeast dough | Keeps rising in the stomach, causing painful bloating, and produces alcohol as it ferments. |
| Coffee and tea | Contain caffeine, which affects dogs like chocolate does. |
What to do if your dog ate something toxic
- Move your dog away from the food and pick up anything left over.
- Note the details: what your dog ate, roughly how much, when, and your dog's weight. Keep the packaging if you have it.
- Call right away: your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.
- Don't try to make your dog vomit or give home remedies unless a vet or poison control expert tells you to.
- Don't wait for symptoms. Some poisonings, like xylitol and grapes, can cause serious harm before signs show.
Keep risky foods out of reach
Most food poisonings happen when a dog gets into the trash, a bag, or a countertop. A few simple swaps help.
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Common questions
My dog ate one grape. Is that an emergency?
Treat it as one. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage, and there's no amount known to be safe. Call your vet or a poison control line right away, even if your dog seems fine.
My dog ate an onion ring. What should I do?
Onions are toxic to dogs in any form, including cooked, fried, and powdered. Risk depends on how much your dog ate compared with their size, so call your vet or poison control with the details. Fried food can also upset your dog's stomach.
Is peanut butter safe for dogs?
Plain peanut butter is usually fine in small amounts, but only if it has no xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Always read the ingredient list, and keep portions small.
Is white chocolate safe?
No. White chocolate has the least theobromine, but it's still not safe, and it's high in fat and sugar. Darker chocolate is more dangerous. Call your vet if your dog eats any chocolate.
How many treats can my dog have?
Even safe foods should be treats, not meals. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends keeping treats to no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. Ask your vet if your dog has a health condition or special diet.
What if the food I searched for isn't listed?
If you're not sure, don't feed it. Check the ingredient list for xylitol, chocolate, grapes or raisins, onion, garlic, and macadamia nuts. If your dog already ate it, call your vet or a poison control line.
Where this information comes from
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Human Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat. American Kennel Club, updated October 2026.
- Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can't Eat. American Kennel Club, updated August 2026.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline.
- Feeding Treats to Your Dog. World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).
Read more about how we research.
This tool gives general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Safety depends on your dog's size, health, and how much they ate. If your dog ate something that could be toxic, contact your vet or a pet poison control line right away. Some links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.