Whether your pup is deserving of a special treat or is just a professional crumb picker-upper, it's not uncommon for a dog to encounter tasty morsels of human food; however, there are foods – even common fruits and vegetables – that your dog should definitely avoid.

Keeping your dog on a dog-food-only diet can prevent a lot of issues and pesky behaviors.

Dogs who are fed from scraps from the table are at higher risk of becoming overweight and bad habits. Typically, dogs who are fed from the table have a strong preference for foods humans enjoy. These behaviors may result in your dog begging, snapping, or showing other aggressive traits when food is around. If you have small children in the house, we strongly recommend avoiding feeding human food to dogs.

Aside from the behavioral issues which might be associated with feeding dogs from the table, most human foods are perfectly safe for dogs but others can pose a serious health risk.

Next time your pup deserves a piece of fruit or vegetable, refer to the lists below to make sure the treat does them good instead of harm.

Acceptable Fruits and Veggies for Dogs

Fruits and vegetables contain many natural nutrients that are beneficial for dogs, like vitamins, potassium, calcium, biotin, fiber, magnesium, and others. It's important to remember that, like humans, treats for dogs should be given in moderation.

A bite-sized snack is the perfect amount of these fruits and veggies for dogs:

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cranberries
  • Cucumbers
  • Mango
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Pineapple
  • Raspberries
  • Watermelon
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Green beans
  • Peas

People-Food Your Dog Should Avoid

These fruits and veggies aren't all toxic but should be avoided to be safe. If Fido happens to chow down on a bite or two, there's no need to panic, but seek veterinarian assistance immediately.

  • Avocado – The pit, skin, leaves, and flesh of avocados contain persin, a toxic chemical which can make your dog very sick.
  • Cherries – Cherry plants contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs. While the flesh around the cherry pit is ok, it's not worth the risk of your dog suffering from cyanide poisoning.
  • Grapes/Raisins – Grapes and raisins have proved to be so toxic to dogs they can lead to sudden kidney failure. Grapes are not toxic to every dog, but it's impossible to predict which dogs they are toxic to, so they're best avoided.
  • Mushrooms – While only a select variety of mushrooms are toxic to dogs, it's best to avoid mushrooms altogether to be safe.
  • Onions/Garlic – Onions, leeks, and chives belong to the Allium family which are extremely poisonous to most pets, especially cats. Dogs are also susceptible to poisoning. A common source of this can be through baby food, which is often supplemented in pets having appetite issues.
  • Macadamia Nuts – Found in many baked goods, macadamias are listed as one of the top human foods to avoid giving to dogs. Side effects include vomiting, ataxia, weakness, hyperthermia, and depression.
  • Chocolate – Chocolate contains chemicals which increase heart rate and stimulate the nervous system of dogs. While toxicity largely depends on the size of your dog and the amount of chocolate they've consumed, dogs should avoid chocolate in any circumstance.

If you are concerned about the foods your dogs eat, please reach out to us. We'd be happy to discuss a healthy diet and lifestyle that suits your dog best.