Sharing a bite of your food with your dog can be tempting. A few plain, carefully prepared human foods can work as occasional treats, but they should never replace a complete and balanced dog diet. A food that is safe for one dog may be unsuitable for another because of allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or a prescription diet.
Quick rule: Offer tiny portions, introduce one new food at a time, and keep treats—including table food—within roughly 10% of daily calories unless your veterinarian recommends a stricter limit. If you are uncertain about an ingredient, skip it.
Human foods many dogs can enjoy in small amounts
Plain cooked chicken or turkey
Unseasoned, thoroughly cooked, boneless poultry provides protein and is often easy to portion into small training rewards. Remove skin, visible fat, and all bones. Do not share rotisserie chicken seasoned with onion, garlic, or excess salt. Plain meat alone is not a nutritionally complete long-term diet.
Carrots
Washed carrots can be offered raw in small pieces or cooked until soft. Cut them to an appropriate size for your dog’s chewing ability; hard chunks can be a choking hazard, especially for small dogs and dogs that gulp food.
Green beans
Plain steamed or cooked green beans are a low-calorie option. Avoid canned varieties with added salt and green-bean casseroles containing onions, butter, or rich sauces.
Blueberries and strawberries
These berries are generally safe in modest portions after washing. Slice larger strawberries and supervise dogs that swallow treats whole. Avoid jams, sweetened syrups, and products containing sugar substitutes.
Apple slices
Offer washed apple flesh in small pieces with the core and seeds removed. Do not let dogs chew on whole cores, which can cause choking or gastrointestinal problems.
Seedless watermelon
Small cubes of watermelon flesh can be refreshing. Remove the rind and seeds first. Large pieces of rind may cause stomach upset or obstruction.
Plain pumpkin
Cooked pumpkin or plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin-pie filling) can be used as a small treat. It is not a substitute for veterinary evaluation of persistent diarrhea or constipation. Too much may worsen digestive upset.
Sweet potato
Fully cooked, plain sweet potato can be served in small pieces. Avoid butter, marshmallows, spices, and sugary toppings. Dogs with diabetes or a calorie-restricted diet may need to avoid extra starches.
Plain rice or oatmeal
Small amounts of fully cooked, unseasoned rice or oatmeal are usually tolerated. These foods are not necessary for a dog on a balanced diet, and they should not be used as a long-term replacement for regular food. Ask a veterinarian before using a bland diet for a sick dog.
Eggs
Fully cooked eggs without oil, butter, or seasoning can be offered occasionally. Avoid raw eggs because of bacterial risks. A whole egg may exceed the treat budget of a small dog, so portion size matters.
Peanut butter, with precautions
Only offer a tiny amount of peanut butter after confirming that the label contains no xylitol (birch sugar). Peanut butter is calorie-dense and may be inappropriate for dogs prone to pancreatitis. Never assume a sugar-free or reduced-sugar product is safe.
Foods that are not safe treats
Do not give dogs grapes, raisins, chocolate, cocoa, xylitol-containing products, onions, garlic, alcohol, or raw yeast dough. Cooked bones, fruit pits, moldy food, and large amounts of fatty or salty food also pose important risks. For detailed warning signs and what to do after an exposure, see our guide to foods toxic to dogs.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s food-safety guide is a useful reference for ingredients to avoid. If your dog eats a potentially poisonous food, contact your veterinarian or animal poison control promptly rather than waiting for symptoms.
How much is too much?
Small dogs have small calorie budgets. A few bites of cheese, peanut butter, or meat can represent a large portion of their daily energy intake. Extra calories can contribute to weight gain and displace essential nutrients from complete dog food. Use part of your dog’s measured regular food as training rewards when possible.
For puppies, pregnant dogs, pets with food allergies, or dogs on therapeutic diets, ask your veterinarian which treats are appropriate. A food’s safety depends on the individual dog as well as the ingredient.
Preparing food safely
- Wash produce and remove seeds, pits, cores, and tough rinds.
- Cook meat and eggs thoroughly; remove all bones.
- Skip seasoning, onion, garlic, sauces, added salt, and rich fats.
- Cut food into small, manageable pieces and supervise chewing.
- Introduce one food at a time, in a small amount, and stop if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
- Store dangerous foods and sweeteners securely out of reach.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat bananas?
Plain ripe banana is generally safe in a few small pieces, but it contains sugar and calories. It should be an occasional treat, not a regular meal component.
Is cheese safe for dogs?
Some dogs tolerate a small piece, while others develop diarrhea from lactose or have trouble with the fat content. Cheese is not a good choice for dogs with pancreatitis or certain medical diets.
Should I cook homemade meals instead of feeding dog food?
Not without a balanced recipe formulated for your dog. Meat, rice, and vegetables may look wholesome but can be deficient in key nutrients when used as a complete diet. Ask your veterinarian about a board-certified veterinary nutritionist if you want to prepare home-cooked meals long term.
This article is general educational information, not an individualized feeding plan. Consult your veterinarian about diet changes or suspected food poisoning.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.