7 Human Foods Dogs Can Eat in Small Amounts—and Foods to Avoid

Sharing a small bite with your dog can be enjoyable, but it should not replace a complete and balanced dog food. Even a dog-safe food may cause an upset stomach, add too many calories, or be unsuitable for an individual pet.

The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center recommends keeping treats to roughly 10–15% or less of daily calories. A simple 90/10 rule—at least 90% complete and balanced food and no more than 10% treats—is an easy target for most healthy adult dogs.

Seven Foods to Offer in Moderation

Introduce only one new food at a time. Start with a small amount and stop if your dog develops vomiting, diarrhea, itching, swelling, or another unusual symptom.

1. Carrots

Raw or cooked carrots can be a low-calorie treat. Wash them, serve them plain, and cut them into bite-size pieces to reduce choking risk. A carrot is a snack, not a substitute for dental care.

2. Apple Flesh

Wash the apple and remove the stem, core, and seeds. Offer only a few small pieces of the flesh. Apples contain natural sugar, so portion size still matters.

3. Blueberries

Fresh or frozen blueberries can work as small training treats. Serve them plain and in an amount appropriate for your dog's size; whole frozen berries may be a choking risk for very small dogs.

4. Xylitol-Free Peanut Butter

Check the ingredient list every time. Some peanut and nut butters contain xylitol, a sweetener that can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and liver injury in dogs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises contacting a veterinarian or poison-control service immediately if a dog eats xylitol.

Choose an unsalted product without xylitol and offer only a tiny amount. Peanut butter is calorie-dense and high in fat, so it may not suit dogs with weight or pancreatic concerns.

5. Plain Cooked Pumpkin

Plain cooked or canned pumpkin—not sweetened or spiced pie filling—can be offered in small portions. Too much fiber may worsen digestive upset, so ask your veterinarian before using pumpkin to manage ongoing diarrhea or constipation.

6. Fully Cooked Egg

Serve egg fully cooked and plain, without butter, oil, salt, or seasoning. The egg should count as an occasional extra rather than a regular replacement for balanced food.

7. Fully Cooked, Boneless Salmon

Remove every bone and serve a small amount of thoroughly cooked, unseasoned salmon. Do not give raw or undercooked salmon, and avoid smoked or heavily salted preparations.

Foods Dogs Should Not Eat

• Chocolate: Cocoa contains methylxanthines that can cause vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and other serious effects.
• Grapes and raisins: Any amount should be treated as potentially dangerous because these fruits can cause acute kidney injury.
• Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: Members of the allium family can damage red blood cells. Concentrated powders are also a risk.
• Xylitol: This sweetener may appear in sugar-free gum, candy, toothpaste, baked goods, and some nut butters.
• Alcohol and raw yeast dough: Both can cause severe poisoning.
• Cooked bones: They can splinter and cause choking, dental injury, or intestinal obstruction.

The ASPCA's people-food safety guide covers these and other common hazards.

Make New Treats Easier to Evaluate

Keep the first serving small and avoid introducing several new ingredients together. Note the food, portion, and time so you can share useful details with your veterinarian if your dog becomes unwell.

Pawey can help you keep care reminders organized and record relevant notes for a future veterinary appointment. For detailed nutrition planning—especially for puppies, pregnant dogs, dogs taking medication, or pets with allergies, diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatitis, or weight concerns—work directly with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Human foods are safest when they remain occasional extras. Plain preparation, small portions, and a complete and balanced main diet matter more than adding any single “healthy” ingredient.