Top 10 human foods for dogs
- 🍎 Apples: Source of vitamins A and C plus fiber
- 🥩 Beef: High-quality protein, iron, zinc and B12
- 🫑 Bell Peppers: Vitamins A, C and E and antioxidants
- 🫐 Blackberries: High in antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber
- 🫐 Blueberries: High in antioxidants and vitamin C
- 🎃 Butternut Squash: High in vitamin A (beta-carotene)
- 🍈 Cantaloupe: Vitamins A and C
- 🥕 Carrots: Very low calorie (about 4 kcal per baby carrot)
- 🥦 Cauliflower: Fiber and vitamins C and K
- 🥬 Celery: Extremely low calorie
Fruits
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍎 Apples | Safe | 6.5 × apple slice (1/8 of a medium apple) | Source of vitamins A and C plus fiber |
| 🍑 Apricots | In moderation | 4.5 × fresh apricot (pitted) | Vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber |
| 🍌 Bananas | In moderation | 6 × 1-inch banana slice | Good source of potassium and vitamin B6 |
| 🫐 Blackberries | Safe | 39 × blackberry | High in antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber |
| 🫐 Blueberries | Safe | 132 × blueberry | High in antioxidants and vitamin C |
| 🍈 Cantaloupe | Safe | 15 × 1-inch cantaloupe cube | Vitamins A and C |
| 🥥 Coconut | In moderation | 2 × tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut | Not toxic to dogs |
| 🍒 Cranberries | In moderation | 158 × fresh cranberry | Antioxidants and vitamin C |
| 🌴 Dates | In moderation | 3.5 × pitted date | Fiber and potassium |
| 🐉 Dragon Fruit | Safe | 13 × 1-inch cube of dragon fruit | Low in calories |
| 🟣 Figs | In moderation | 8.5 × quarter of a small fresh fig | Fiber, potassium and calcium |
| 🥝 Kiwi | In moderation | 11 × kiwi slice (1/6 of a kiwi) | Vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber |
| 🥭 Mango | In moderation | 7.5 × 1-inch mango cube | Vitamins A, B6, C and E |
| 🍑 Nectarines | In moderation | 9.5 × slice of nectarine (1/8 of the fruit) | Vitamins A and C and fiber |
| 🫒 Olives | In moderation | 15 × pitted olive | Not toxic to dogs |
| 🍊 Oranges | In moderation | 13 × orange segment | Vitamin C and potassium |
| 🥭 Papaya | Safe | 13 × 1-inch cube of papaya | Rich in vitamins A and C and fiber |
| 🍑 Peaches | In moderation | 11 × peach slice (1/8 of a medium peach) | Vitamins A and C |
| 🍐 Pears | Safe | 6 × pear slice (1/8 of a medium pear) | Fiber, vitamins C and K, copper |
| 🍍 Pineapple | In moderation | 9.5 × 1-inch pineapple chunk | Vitamin C, manganese and fiber |
| 🍒 Raspberries | In moderation | 79 × raspberry | Fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants |
| 🍓 Strawberries | Safe | 19 × medium strawberry | Rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants |
| 🍉 Watermelon | Safe | 15 × 1-inch watermelon cube | About 92% water, great for hydration on hot days |
Vegetables
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Asparagus | In moderation | 26 × cooked asparagus spear | Low in calories |
| Beets | In moderation | 15 × 1 tablespoon diced cooked beet | Fiber, folate and vitamin C |
| 🫑 Bell Peppers | Safe | 26 × bell pepper strip | Vitamins A, C and E and antioxidants |
| 🥦 Broccoli | In moderation | 19 × small broccoli floret | Fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K |
| 🥬 Brussels Sprouts | In moderation | 9.5 × cooked Brussels sprout | Rich in vitamins C and K |
| 🎃 Butternut Squash | Safe | 15 × 1 tablespoon mashed cooked butternut squash | High in vitamin A (beta-carotene) |
| 🥬 Cabbage | In moderation | 39 × 1 tablespoon chopped cooked cabbage | Low in calories |
| 🥕 Carrots | Safe | 19 × baby carrot | Very low calorie (about 4 kcal per baby carrot) |
| 🥦 Cauliflower | Safe | 26 × small cauliflower floret | Fiber and vitamins C and K |
| 🥬 Celery | Safe | 39 × 4-inch celery stick | Extremely low calorie |
| 🌽 Corn | In moderation | 9.5 × tablespoon of corn kernels | Source of carbohydrates, fiber and some vitamins |
| 🥒 Cucumbers | Safe | 79 × cucumber slice | About 1 kcal per slice |
| 🫛 Edamame | Safe | 132 × shelled edamame bean | Plant protein and fiber |
| 🫛 Green Beans | Safe | 52 × green bean | Fiber, vitamins C and K |
| 🥬 Kale | In moderation | 39 × 1 tablespoon chopped cooked kale | Vitamins A, C and K |
| 🥬 Lettuce | Safe | 79 × lettuce leaf | Almost calorie-free |
| 🫛 Peas | Safe | 11 × tablespoon of green peas | Fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals |
| 🥔 Potatoes | In moderation | 7 × tablespoon of plain mashed potato | Cooked potato is an easy-to-digest carbohydrate |
| 🎃 Pumpkin | Safe | 15 × tablespoon of plain pumpkin | Soluble fiber that can help firm stool or relieve mild constipation |
| Radishes | Safe | 79 × medium radish | Very low in calories |
| 🥬 Spinach | In moderation | 39 × quarter cup of raw spinach | Vitamins A, C and K, iron and fiber |
| 🍠 Sweet Potatoes | Safe | 6 × tablespoon of cooked sweet potato | Fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and B6 |
| 🥒 Zucchini | Safe | 79 × zucchini slice | Very low in calories |
Meat, fish & eggs
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥩 Beef | Safe | 1 × ounce of cooked lean ground beef | High-quality protein, iron, zinc and B12 |
| 🍗 Chicken | Safe | 1.5 × ounce of cooked chicken breast | Lean, high-quality protein |
| 🦀 Crab | In moderation | 3 × 1 oz cooked crab meat | Lean protein |
| 🥚 Eggs | Safe | 1 × large egg (cooked) | High-quality protein, amino acids and riboflavin |
| 🐟 Fish | Safe | 2.5 × 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod) | Lean, easily digested protein |
| 🍖 Lamb | In moderation | 1 × 1 oz cooked lean lamb | Good protein source, often used for dogs with chicken allergies |
| 🦞 Lobster | In moderation | 3 × 1 oz cooked lobster meat | Lean protein |
| 🍖 Pork | In moderation | 1 × ounce of cooked lean pork | Protein and B vitamins |
| 🐟 Salmon | In moderation | 1 × ounce of cooked salmon | Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for skin and coat |
| 🐟 Sardines | Safe | 3 × sardine (canned in water) | Rich in omega-3s (EPA and DHA) for skin, coat and joints |
| 🦐 Shrimp | In moderation | 11 × large cooked shrimp | Lean protein |
| 🥩 Steak | In moderation | 1 × 1 oz cooked lean steak | High-quality protein for muscle |
| 🧊 Tofu | In moderation | 7 × 1 tablespoon plain firm tofu | Plant protein |
| 🐟 Tuna | In moderation | 4.5 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water) | Lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids |
| 🦃 Turkey | In moderation | 1.5 × ounce of cooked turkey breast | Lean, high-quality protein |
Dairy
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🧀 Cheese | In moderation | 8.5 × 1/2-inch cube of cheddar | Protein and calcium |
| 🧀 Cottage Cheese | In moderation | 7.5 × 1 tablespoon low-fat cottage cheese | High in protein and calcium |
| 🧀 Cream Cheese | In moderation | 4.5 × 1 teaspoon plain cream cheese | Handy for hiding pills |
| 🥛 Sour Cream | In moderation | 7.5 × 1 teaspoon plain sour cream | Not toxic in plain form |
| 🥛 Yogurt | In moderation | 8.5 × tablespoon of plain yogurt | Protein and calcium |
Grains, beans & snacks
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🫘 Beans | In moderation | 5.5 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans | Good source of fiber and plant protein |
| 🍞 Bread | In moderation | 3.5 × quarter slice of bread | Plain bread is not toxic |
| 🥣 Cheerios | In moderation | 264 × plain Cheerio | Very low in calories per piece |
| 🫘 Chickpeas | In moderation | 4.5 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain chickpeas | Protein and fiber |
| 🥣 Oatmeal | Safe | 15 × tablespoon of cooked oatmeal | Soluble fiber that can support digestion |
| 🍝 Pasta | In moderation | 7 × tablespoon of cooked pasta | Plain pasta is not toxic |
| 🍿 Popcorn | In moderation | 2.5 × cup of air-popped popcorn | Plain popcorn is low in calories |
| 🥣 Quinoa | Safe | 6 × 1 tablespoon cooked quinoa | Complete plant protein with all essential amino acids |
| 🍚 Rice | Safe | 6 × tablespoon of cooked rice | Easy-to-digest carbohydrate |
Nuts & seeds
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥜 Cashews | In moderation | 8.5 × cashew | Not toxic to dogs |
| 🥜 Peanut Butter | In moderation | 2 × teaspoon of peanut butter | Protein and healthy fats |
| 🥜 Peanuts | In moderation | 13 × peanut | Protein and healthy fats |
| 🎃 Pumpkin Seeds | In moderation | 5 × 1 teaspoon shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas) | Fiber, zinc, magnesium and iron |
| 🌻 Sunflower Seeds | In moderation | 4.5 × 1 teaspoon shelled unsalted sunflower seeds | Vitamin E and healthy fats |
Other foods & treats
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (30 lb dog) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥥 Coconut Oil | In moderation | 7.5 × 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil | Not toxic |
| 🫚 Ginger | In moderation | 79 × 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger | May ease mild nausea and car sickness |
| 🍯 Honey | In moderation | 3.5 × teaspoon of honey | Natural sugar can make a pill or medicine more appealing |
Looking for what to avoid? See foods dogs can't eat.
The 10% treat rule
Treats, including human food, should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories. The "max per day" column assumes a typical 30 lb spayed or neutered adult dog with no other treats. Each food's guide has a calculator for your dog's exact weight.
Frequently asked questions
What human food can dogs eat every day?
Small amounts of plain foods such as apples, beef, bell peppers, blackberries can be given daily if they stay within the 10% treat allowance and your dog tolerates them.
What is the healthiest human food for dogs?
Lean, plain cooked proteins and low-calorie vegetables are among the best choices. Carrots, green beans and blueberries are popular low-calorie treats.