Can My Dog Eat That? 🐾 A Fun Guide to Human Foods for Pups

We all love to sneak our pups a little “people food” now and then—of course we do! They’re family, after all. But no one wants to accidentally give them something that’s bad for them. The whole idea makes me chuckle, because I once had the reverse happen. I was a teenager, home late from a date, and before I even flipped the kitchen light on, I heard suspicious crunching.

Then came the confused, muffled line: “Uhh… when did your mom make these?”

Next thing I know, my boyfriend had plunged his snack-happy fingers into a bowl of dry dog food my folks had left on the counter. He popped a bite in, chewed… and promptly froze. His eyes went wide, he gagged, and somehow managed a full-on spit-take across the dark kitchen, launching kibble in every direction. I'm sure our dog lit up right along with the kitchen light, mistaking the scene for a kibble fireworks show. Meanwhile, I’m half laughing, half panicking, finally yelling: “That’s for the dog!”

It was a perfect reminder—if a human can accidentally snack on dog food, imagine how easy it is for our pups to snag the wrong human foods. So, let’s break down what’s safe for dogs, what’s a hard no, and what’s only okay in moderation—before your pup starts staging their own kitchen chaos.

And it happens to be one of the first things new Beechwood pup parents wonder: “Can I share this with my dog?” Here’s your quick, snackable guide, and I'll include a downloadable link for you to print and put up on your fridge!

Safe & Healthy Snacks (anytime treats)

These foods are dog-approved, packed with nutrients, and some even convenient for treats:

• Fruits: apples (no seeds), blueberries, strawberries, pumpkin, pears.

• Veggies: carrots, green beans, sweet potato (cooked), zucchini, cucumber, peas.

• Proteins: plain cooked chicken, turkey, beef, salmon, tuna, eggs, plain yogurt.

• Grains: quinoa

• Other goodies: xylitol-free peanut butter, a little low-fat cheese, coconut.

  
  

Treats for Sometimes (OK in moderation)

Think of these as “special occasion snacks” or training rewards:

• Fruits: bananas, mango, pineapple, seedless watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges (a slice or two), raspberries.

• Veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale (small amounts only).

• Proteins & Dairy: cheese, eggs, hot dogs/lunch meat (tiny bits), cottage cheese.

• Carbs: bread, rice, oatmeal.

• Extras: coconut oil, peanut butter (calorie-heavy, so use sparingly).

(Tip: moderation foods are like doggie dessert — fine once in a while, but not every day.)

Foods to Avoid Completely

These can be toxic, dangerous, or just plain unhealthy for dogs:

• Chocolate (especially dark)

• Grapes & raisins

• Onions & garlic (any form, even powder)

• Xylitol (artificial sweetener in gum, candy, some peanut butters)

• Alcohol & caffeine

• Macadamia nuts

• Avocado (the pit and skin are poisonous, but a little of the flesh is fine)

• Cooked bones (splinter risk)

• Raw bread dough (expands in stomach, risk of alcohol poisoning)

• Salty, fatty, or spicy foods

Disclaimer: none of these lists are comprehensive, so do your own research or, better yet, ask your vet if there is a food not listed here you'd like your pup to try. For example, it looks like I failed to include bell peppers on the "Safe" list. Probaby because I can't eat them myself. And remember, dogs, like people, may have allergies to something that is perfectly safe for others of their kind.

The Bottom Line 🐕❤️

A little safe people food can be a fun way to bond with your dog, but it should never replace their balanced dog diet. When in doubt, keep it simple: fresh, plain, and in small amounts. And remember — if you wouldn’t feed it to a toddler, don’t feed it to your pup.

Make sure everyone in your household is on the same page. Enjoy this printable chart for your fridge: Can My Furbaby Eat That?

P.S. On a different, somewhat related note, did you know that you can use bits of kibble as healthy training treat for your pup? A handful of our recommended PawTree dog food we feed our pups is nutrition-packed with oatmeal, pearled barley, millet, flaxseeds, coconut oil, apples, and blueberries? Too bad that old boyfriend is no longer around!