Can my pet eat this?

TOXIC — even small amounts can be fatal.

Almond

Not toxic to dogs but not recommended. Unsafe for cats.

Apple

Safe in moderation — remove seeds and core.

Apricot

Ripe apricot flesh (no pit) is safe in tiny amounts.

Asparagus

Cooked asparagus is safe but tough raw stalks can be a choking risk.

Avocado

Flesh is generally safe in small amounts; pit and skin are hazardous.

Bacon

Small crumbles OK — very high in fat and salt.

Banana

Safe in small amounts — high in sugar.

Barley

Cooked barley is safe and a great source of soluble fiber.

Basil

Fresh basil is safe in small amounts and mildly aromatic.

Bean Sprouts

Plain raw or cooked bean sprouts are safe in small amounts.

Beef

Plain cooked lean beef is a safe, high-protein food for dogs, cats and ferrets.

Beet

Cooked beetroot is safe in moderation and adds color, folate and iron.

Bell Pepper

Sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, green) are safe and vitamin-packed for most pets.

Blackberry

Blackberries are a safe, antioxidant-rich occasional treat for most pets.

Blueberry

Excellent low-calorie treat.

Bok Choy

Bok choy is safe in small amounts and low in calories.

Bread

Plain white/wheat bread is safe in small amounts.

Broccoli

Small amounts fine — florets can irritate the gut.

Brussels Sprouts

Cooked Brussels sprouts are safe in small amounts, but expect gas.

Butter

Butter is pure fat and dairy — skip it for pets.

Cabbage

Small servings of plain cabbage are safe but can cause gas.

Cantaloupe

Seedless cantaloupe cubes are a hydrating, low-calorie treat for many pets.

Carrot

Crunchy, low-calorie, great for teeth.

Cashew

Plain unsalted cashews are safe in small amounts for dogs; skip for other small pets.

Cauliflower

Plain cooked or raw cauliflower is safe for most pets in small amounts.

Celery

Safe, crunchy, low-calorie.

Cheese

Small amounts fine for most pets — high fat and lactose.

Cherry

Cherry flesh is technically edible but pits, stems and leaves are toxic — most vets say skip cherries entirely.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are safe in small amounts and add fiber and omega-3s.

Chicken

Plain, cooked, boneless chicken is a staple pet-safe protein.

Chocolate

TOXIC — never feed chocolate to dogs or cats.

Cilantro

Cilantro (fresh coriander leaves) is safe in small amounts for most pets.

Cinnamon

Not toxic but can irritate mouth and lungs in quantity.

Coconut

Small amounts of coconut flesh or unsweetened flakes are generally safe, but the high fat content limits how much pets should have.

Coffee

TOXIC — caffeine is dangerous. Includes coffee grounds, beans, and tea.

Cooked Bones

NEVER feed cooked bones — they splinter dangerously.

Cooked Fish

Plain cooked fish is a great protein and omega-3 source.

Corn

Plain cooked corn kernels are safe in small amounts; never feed the cob.

Cottage Cheese

Plain, low-fat cottage cheese is generally safe in small amounts for dogs.

Crackers

Plain, unsalted crackers are generally safe as an occasional treat.

Cranberry

Plain fresh or dried cranberries are safe in small amounts; skip sweetened sauce.

Cucumber

Excellent hydrating, low-calorie snack.

Dill

Fresh dill in small amounts is safe and mildly aromatic for most pets.

Duck

Plain cooked duck meat is safe and often used as a novel protein.

Edamame

Shelled, plain edamame is safe in small amounts for dogs; skip pods.

Egg

Cooked eggs are a great protein source.

Eggplant

Small amounts of plain cooked eggplant are generally safe for dogs.

Energy Drink

Energy drinks are extremely unsafe — high caffeine plus other stimulants.

Fig

Fresh figs in tiny amounts are safe for dogs but the fig plant itself is toxic.

Flaxseed

Ground flaxseed is safe in small amounts and rich in omega-3s.

Garlic

TOXIC — same family as onions, similar risks.

Ginger

Small amounts help with nausea.

Grape

TOXIC — grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure.

Green Bean

Low-calorie, high-fiber treat — great for weight loss.

Green Tea

Green tea contains caffeine and is unsafe for pets.

Ham

High salt and fat — feed sparingly.

Honey

Small amounts safe for adults; avoid for puppies/kittens.

Hot Dog

Hot dogs are highly processed, salty and often contain unsafe seasonings — skip them.

Ice Cream

Skip it — sugar, dairy, and possible xylitol.

Kale

Kale is safe in small amounts but shouldn't be a daily staple due to oxalates.

Kefir

Plain, unsweetened kefir is safe in small amounts and provides probiotics.

Kiwi

Peeled kiwi flesh in small pieces is safe for most pets.

Lamb

Cooked lamb is a nutritious, hypoallergenic protein for dogs and cats.

Lemon

Avoid — citrus oils and psoralen compounds are toxic in quantity.

Lettuce

Safe and hydrating — mostly water and low calorie.

Liver

Small amounts of cooked liver are highly nutritious, but too much causes vitamin A toxicity.

Macadamia Nut

TOXIC — even a few nuts can cause serious symptoms.

Mango

Flesh safe; skin and pit are not.

Mealworms

Dried or live mealworms are a great protein snack for birds, chickens, turtles and lizards.

Milk

Most adult pets are lactose-intolerant.

Mint

A leaf or two of fresh mint is safe for dogs and horses; skip pennyroyal.

Nutmeg

TOXIC — contains myristicin.

Oatmeal

Plain cooked oatmeal is safe and gentle.

Okra

Plain cooked okra is safe in small amounts.

Olive

Plain, pitted olives are safe in tiny amounts but salty ones aren't ideal.

Onion

TOXIC — all forms (raw, cooked, powdered, dried) are dangerous.

Orange

Small amounts of orange flesh safe for dogs; cats should avoid.

Papaya

Ripe papaya flesh (no seeds) is safe and digestion-friendly for most pets.

Parsley

Curly-leaf parsley in small amounts is safe and can freshen breath.

Pasta

Plain cooked pasta is safe. Skip sauces.

Peach

Ripe peach flesh is fine in tiny amounts, but the pit and leaves are toxic.

Peanut

Plain, unsalted, shelled peanuts are safe in small amounts.

Peanut Butter

Safe if xylitol-free. Always check the label!

Pear

Ripe pear flesh is safe in small amounts for most pets when seeds and core are removed.

Peas

Fresh, frozen or thawed peas are safe and nutritious in small amounts.

Pecan

Pecans are best avoided for pets — high fat and juglone concerns.

Pineapple

Fresh pineapple flesh in small amounts.

Pistachio

Shelled, unsalted pistachios are safe in tiny amounts but generally not recommended.

Plum

Plum flesh is safe in tiny amounts; the pit, leaves and stems are toxic.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate arils are safe in tiny amounts but the fruit often upsets pet stomachs.

Popcorn

Plain air-popped kernels only.

Pork

Plain cooked lean pork is safe in moderation, but avoid processed pork products.

Portobello Mushroom

Plain cooked store-bought portobello mushrooms are safe in small amounts.

Pumpkin

Plain cooked pumpkin is excellent for digestion.

Quinoa

Cooked, plain quinoa is safe and a complete plant protein for dogs.

Rabbit Pellets

Unknown

Plain timothy-based pellets are safe as a small daily portion for adult rabbits.

Radish

Plain raw or cooked radish is safe in small amounts.

Raspberry

A few fresh raspberries are safe for most pets and rich in antioxidants.

Raw Bones

Raw meaty bones can be safe with supervision. Cooked bones are dangerous.

Rice

Plain, cooked white rice is safe and often used for upset stomachs.

Rosemary

Small amounts of fresh rosemary are safe for dogs; skip for cats and epileptic pets.

Salmon (cooked)

Cooked, boneless salmon is excellent.

Salt

Small amounts fine; excess is dangerous.

Sardines

Water-packed, unsalted sardines are a nutrient-dense treat for dogs and cats.

Sausage

Sausage is generally unsafe due to salt, fat and seasonings like garlic and onion.

Shrimp

Fully cooked, peeled, plain shrimp is safe as an occasional treat for dogs and cats.

Spinach

Small amounts safe; large amounts contain oxalates.

Store-bought Mushrooms

Plain white, cremini, and portobello are generally safe cooked.

Strawberry

Safe in moderation — high in natural sugar.

Sugar

Not toxic but harmful long-term.

Sunflower Seeds

Unsalted, shelled sunflower seeds are safe in small amounts for many pets.

Sweet Potato

Cooked, plain sweet potato is a nutritional powerhouse.

Tea

Contains caffeine — same risks as coffee.

Timothy Hay

Unknown

Timothy hay is the ideal staple food for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and horses.

Tofu

Plain tofu is safe in small amounts for dogs but not a suitable staple protein.

Tofu Block

See our tofu entry — plain tofu is safe in small amounts.

Tomato

Ripe red flesh is generally safe; green parts are toxic.

Tuna (canned)

Small amounts of water-packed tuna are okay occasionally.

Turkey (cooked)

Plain cooked turkey is excellent.

Turnip

Cooked turnip is safe in small amounts for most pets.

Walnut

Avoid — especially black walnuts and moldy ones.

Water

Fresh clean water is essential every day for every pet.

Watermelon

Hydrating summer treat — remove seeds and rind.

White Bread

Plain white bread is generally safe as an occasional treat but adds empty calories.

Wild Mushrooms

Assume all wild mushrooms are toxic.

Xylitol

DEADLY to dogs — found in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters, and baked goods.

Yogurt

Plain, unsweetened yogurt is fine in small amounts.

Zucchini