Foods dogs can eat: the complete safe list

Crisp, fibre-rich and a good chew. Remove seeds and the core first: apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when crushed.

Serve 2–3 slices, no core

Soft, potassium-rich and easy to mash into a meal. High in sugar, so keep it an occasional extra rather than a daily habit.

Serve 2–3 slices

One of the best small treats: antioxidants, vitamin C and almost no fat. Freeze a few for a long-lasting summer snack.

Serve 5–8 berries

Sweet and low in calories. Wash well and cut in half so it cannot lodge in a small throat.

Serve 3–4 berries, hulled

Fine fresh or frozen. The tiny seeds are harmless to dogs, unlike the seeds of stone fruit.

Serve 6–10 berries

Safe in moderation and pleasantly tart. Wild berries from a hedgerow can carry parasites, so rinse or use shop-bought fruit.

Serve 6–8 berries

A hydrating summer treat that most dogs love. Remove rind and every seed: rind is hard to digest and seeds can block the gut.

Serve 2–3 seedless cubes

Soft, fragrant and rich in vitamin A. Scoop out the seeds and discard the rind before offering a piece.

Serve 2–3 cubes, rind removed

Mostly water and gentle on the stomach. As with all melon, remove seeds and rind and keep portions small.

Serve 2–3 cubes, rind removed

Gentle on sensitive stomachs and a good source of fibre. The seeds and stem should always be discarded.

Serve 2–3 slices, no core

Ripe flesh only. The stone and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds and are a genuine choking hazard.

Serve 1–2 slices, stone removed

Same rules as peach: flesh is fine, the stone is not. Cut around the pit rather than letting your dog gnaw it.

Serve 1–2 slices, stone removed

Flesh is safe in small amounts. Plums are a mild laxative, so too many pieces can cause loose stools.

Serve 1–2 slices, stone removed

Sweet and soft with plenty of vitamin A. Peel it and remove the stone: the skin is tough and the stone is a blockage risk.

Serve 2–3 cubes, peeled

Fresh or frozen chunks are fine in moderation. The bromelain enzyme can irritate a sensitive mouth, and canned fruit is too sugary.

Serve 2–3 small chunks

The flesh is safe and a useful source of vitamin C. Citrus peel and pith can upset the stomach, so peel fully.

Serve 1–2 segments, peeled

Same guidance as orange. Small dogs should have one segment only because of the sugar content.

Serve 1–2 segments, peeled

High in vitamin C and fibre. Peel it and slice thinly; the hairy skin is unpleasant and hard to digest.

Serve 1–2 slices, peeled

Soft and easy to chew, with enzymes that can help digestion. Scoop out the seeds and remove the skin.

Serve 2–3 cubes, seeds removed

Ripe flesh only, and never the seeds or the calyx. Unripe fruit is astringent and can cause stomach upset.

Serve 1–2 small pieces, seeds removed

The flesh is safe; the pit, stem and leaves are not. Never give a dog cherries with the stone still in.

Serve 2–3 cherries, pitted

Flesh only. Apricot kernels contain cyanide-releasing compounds and are dangerous even in small amounts.

Serve 1–2 pieces, stone removed

Safe fresh or dried without added sugar. Do not treat it as a cure for urinary problems; see a vet for those.

Serve 5–6 berries

Fresh figs are fine in small amounts. Avoid dried figs and fig jam, which concentrate sugar, and never let a dog eat the leaves.

Serve 1 small fresh fig

A little fresh coconut is safe. It is very high in fat, so avoid it entirely if your dog has had pancreatitis.

Serve 1 small piece

Low in calories, crunchy and excellent for teeth. Cut into sticks for big dogs and coins for small ones to avoid choking.

Serve 3–4 sticks, raw or cooked

A classic low-calorie filler for dogs on a weight-loss plan. Serve steamed and plain, never salted or fried.

Serve 4–6 beans, plain

Fresh, frozen or steamed peas are safe and add plant protein. Avoid canned peas in brine because of the salt.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons

Cooked and mashed, it is a gentle source of fibre and beta-carotene. Never feed raw sweet potato, which is hard to digest.

Serve 2–3 cubes, cooked

Plain cooked pumpkin is a well-known stool normaliser — useful for mild diarrhoea or constipation. Never use spiced pie filling.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, plain

Soft, sweet and easy to digest once cooked. Remove the skin and seeds and serve plain.

Serve 2–3 cubes, cooked

Very low in calories and high in water. Steam or roast plain; fried zucchini is far too oily for a dog.

Serve 3–4 slices, cooked

Nutritious in small amounts. Large servings can cause gas, and broccoli contains isothiocyanates that irritate the gut in excess.

Serve 2–3 small florets, steamed

A safe low-calorie vegetable. Cook it lightly: raw cauliflower is hard to digest and causes wind.

Serve 2–3 small florets, steamed

Safe but famously gassy. Introduce slowly and never feed them fried or with bacon.

Serve 1–2 sprouts, cooked

Rich in iron and vitamins but also in oxalates, which can affect dogs prone to bladder stones. Keep it a small garnish.

Serve 1–2 teaspoons, cooked

Fine as an occasional green. Kale contains calcium oxalate and thiocyanates, so it should never be a large part of a meal.

Serve 1 teaspoon, cooked

Mostly water and safe to share. Avoid iceberg in large amounts and always skip the dressing.

Serve 2–3 leaves

A crunchy low-calorie snack. Chop it small: the stringy fibres are a choking risk for eager eaters.

Serve 1–2 small pieces, chopped

Red and yellow peppers are sweet and high in vitamin C. Remove seeds and the stem, which are hard to digest.

Serve 3–4 strips, seeds removed

Safe cooked and plain. Expect red-stained stools and urine afterwards; that is normal, not blood.

Serve 2–3 cubes, cooked

Safe when steamed and cut into short pieces. Raw stalks are tough and can be a choking hazard.

Serve 2–3 spears, cooked

Safe in small amounts. Like all brassicas it can cause gas, so keep servings modest and cooked.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, cooked

A mild Asian green that is safe lightly cooked. Wash thoroughly to remove grit and grit-borne bacteria.

Serve 2–3 leaves, cooked

Sweet and starchy once roasted or boiled. Serve plain and peeled, never roasted in fat.

Serve 2–3 cubes, cooked

Safe cooked and mashed. Raw turnip is tough and can cause gas.

Serve 2–3 cubes, cooked

Sweetcorn kernels are digestible; the cob is not. Never let a dog chew a corn cob — it is a common surgical blockage.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, off the cob

Boiled or baked potato without butter or salt is safe. Green potatoes and all potato leaves contain solanine and are toxic.

Serve 2–3 cubes, cooked plain

Common white and chestnut mushrooms from a shop are safe cooked. Never feed wild mushrooms — identification is not reliable.

Serve 1–2 cooked slices

Almost entirely water, which makes it a great summer snack for dogs carrying extra weight.

Serve 3–4 slices

Frozen peas double as a cold treat and a healthy training reward. Check the bag says plain peas, with no salt.

Serve 1 tablespoon, thawed

Skinless, boneless chicken is the gold standard of gentle protein. Boil or bake plain, and never include cooked bones.

Serve 30–60 g, cooked, boneless

Lean turkey is excellent, but only plain meat. Turkey skin, gravy and stuffing are all too rich and often contain onion.

Serve 30–60 g, cooked, boneless

Lean cuts provide iron and B vitamins. Trim visible fat, cook without oil and cut against the grain into small pieces.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked

Safe when lean and plain. Lamb is fattier than chicken, so keep portions modest and avoid fatty offcuts.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked, trimmed

Plain lean pork is safe, but never cured or smoked. Pork must always be cooked through to avoid parasite risk.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked plain

Cod, haddock and pollock are lean and digestible. Remove every bone and never feed fish cooked in butter or batter.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked, deboned

Cooked salmon supplies omega-3 fats that support skin and coat. Never feed raw salmon — it can carry a parasite that is fatal to dogs.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked

A cheap source of omega-3 and calcium. Choose sardines in spring water with no added salt, and drain them well.

Serve 1–2 sardines in water

Cooked, peeled shrimp are a lean treat. Raw shellfish and shells are a choking and bacterial risk.

Serve 2–3 shrimp, cooked, shelled

Lean and tasty, but game meat should be cooked and sourced from a licensed supplier because of parasite risk.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked

Skinless duck is safe and rich in iron. The skin and fat are far too rich and can trigger pancreatitis.

Serve 30–50 g, cooked, skinless

Cooked eggs are an excellent protein source. Raw egg whites contain avidin, which blocks biotin absorption over time.

Serve 1 egg, cooked, per 10 kg

Plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures is usually well tolerated and provides calcium and probiotics. Check for xylitol.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons

A fermented milk drink that many dogs tolerate well. Introduce slowly and choose plain, unsweetened versions.

Serve 1 tablespoon to start

The default bland diet food for a troubled stomach. Cook it plain with no salt or butter and cool before serving.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, cooked

Wholegrain rice adds fibre but takes longer to digest. Cook it soft and plain, and introduce it gradually.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, cooked

Plain cooked oats are a gentle fibre source. Never use flavoured instant sachets, which contain sugar and raisins.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, cooked

A complete plant protein that suits some sensitive dogs. Rinse before cooking to remove the bitter saponin coating.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, cooked

Plain cooked pasta is safe in small amounts but nutritionally empty. Never serve it with sauce, cheese or garlic.

Serve 1–2 tablespoons, plain

Fine as part of a cooked recipe. Raw cornmeal is hard to digest and adds little on its own.

Serve Small amount, cooked

A brilliant pill disguise and enrichment treat. Choose a brand with no xylitol and no added salt or sugar — labels matter here.

Serve 1 teaspoon

Soaked chia seeds add fibre and omega-3. Dry chia absorbs water and can swell in the throat, so always soak first.

Serve 1/4 teaspoon, soaked

Ground flaxseed is a useful fibre and omega-3 source. Whole seeds pass through undigested, so grind them first.

Serve 1/4 teaspoon, ground

Clean fresh water is the only drink a dog needs. Change it daily and carry a bottle on long walks in warm weather.

Serve Always available

A warming, hydrating extra — provided it is made without onion, garlic or salt. Many shop-bought broths contain all three.

Serve Small amounts, no onion

Choose treats with a named meat first ingredient and no added sugar. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories.

Serve Follow pack guidance

Pick a chew matched to your dog's size and supervise. Anything small enough to swallow whole is a choking risk.

Serve One per day, sized to dog