Dog food safety (UK)
Plain-English guides to human foods UK dogs often eat — summer treats, table scraps, and picnic risks. Complete dog food should form the main diet; treats stay under 10% of calories. If in doubt, phone your vet.
Quick answer
Safe treats & summer foods
- Can dogs eat ice cubes?
Summer cooling — not for heatstroke treatment
- Can dogs eat ice lollies?
Avoid human lollies — make dog-safe frozen treats
- Can dogs eat watermelon?
Seedless flesh only — no rind
- Can dogs eat apples?
Remove core and seeds — slices only
- Can dogs eat bananas?
A few slices — high sugar, no peel
- Can dogs eat strawberries?
Fresh, washed and hulled — no syrup
- Can dogs eat blueberries?
Low-calorie training treat
- Can dogs eat carrots?
Raw or cooked — cut into batons
- Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Xylitol-free only — check every label
- Can dogs eat cheese?
Small amounts — high fat
- Can dogs eat chicken?
Cooked plain meat — no bones
- Can dogs eat bread?
Plain only — never mouldy or garlic bread
- Can dogs eat eggs?
Cooked plain eggs — avoid raw
- Can dogs eat pork?
Plain cooked only — no bones or bacon
- Raw feeding dogs UK
Vet-planned complete diets only
- What fruit can dogs eat?
Never grapes or raisins
- What vegetables can dogs eat?
Plain — no onion or garlic
Never feed — toxic foods
- Can dogs eat mince pies?
Raisins — kidney failure, no safe dose
- Can dogs eat hot cross buns?
Raisins — kidney failure, no safe dose
- Grape & raisin poisoning
Kidney failure — no safe dose
- Chocolate poisoning
Theobromine toxicity
- Xylitol poisoning
Hypoglycaemia and liver failure
- Onion & garlic poisoning
Red blood cell damage
- Compost & mould poisoning
Mould toxins — including mouldy bread
- Ibuprofen poisoning
Never give human NSAIDs
- Rat bait poisoning
Anticoagulant rodenticides
- Slug pellet poisoning
Metaldehyde — garden bait risk
- Toxic houseplants
Many UK houseplants and garden plants
- Can I give my dog paracetamol?
Never give human painkillers without a vet
Suspected poisoning? Phone your own vet first (free for registered clients), or call Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000 (a paid service). Out of hours, use PETHEALTH+ out-of-hours directory. See our poison guide.
Tools & related hubs
Frequently Asked Questions
- What human foods are safe for dogs in the UK?
- Plain cooked chicken, seedless watermelon flesh, xylitol-free peanut butter, small amounts of cheese, and many vegetables in moderation — always without onion, garlic, grapes, or seasoning.
- What foods are poisonous to dogs?
- Grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, and mouldy food are among the most dangerous. Phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 if eaten.
- How much treat food can a dog have?
- Treats including human foods should stay under 10% of daily calories. Complete dog food should form the bulk of the diet per PDSA and RSPCA guidance.