What dogs can eat and what's toxic
The fruits it can have, the foods it should never taste, Mexican table foods to watch and what to do if it already ate one. This guide doesn't replace a vet.
Reviewed by Paola De Valeri, veterinarian, October 17, 2026.
Fruits it can eat, in small pieces
- Apple and pear, without seeds or core.
- Banana, in small amounts.
- Watermelon and cantaloupe, without seeds or rind.
- Strawberries, blackberries and blueberries; only a few strawberries.
- Mango and papaya, without the pit, seeds or skin.
Give strawberries and acidic fruits such as citrus or pineapple only in very small amounts: they can cause colic or gastritis. Fruit is a treat, not a meal: no more than 10% of what it eats in a day. If it has diabetes or is overweight, ask your vet first.
Never give it
- Chocolate and cocoa: the darker, the more dangerous.
- Grapes and raisins: they can damage its kidneys, even in small amounts.
- Onion, garlic, chives and leeks, raw, cooked or powdered (also in broths and stews).
- Xylitol: a sweetener in gum, sugar-free candy and some peanut butters.
- Macadamia nuts, alcohol, coffee, tea and energy drinks.
- Raw yeast dough.
- Avocado: the pit can get stuck, and the skin and leaves upset it.
Watch out for food from the table
- Cooked chicken or beef bones: they splinter and can perforate the intestine.
- Tamale husks, toothpicks and whole corn cobs: they get stuck in the intestine.
- Chicharrón, carnitas and very fatty or spicy food: they can cause pancreatitis.
- Pan de muerto, rosca de reyes and desserts: sugar, fat and sometimes raisins or chocolate.
If it ate something toxic
- 1. Call your vet right away. Even if it has no symptoms: chocolate, grapes and xylitol cause harm hours later.
- 2. Have the details ready. What it ate, how much, what time and the package if you have it. With your dog's weight, the vet works out the risk.
- 3. Don't make it vomit on your own. And don't give it salt, oil or milk. Only if your vet says so.
Frequently asked questions
- What fruits can dogs eat?
- Apple and pear without seeds, banana, watermelon and cantaloupe without seeds, a few strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and mango and papaya without the pit. Always in small pieces and as a treat.
- What fruits can't dogs eat?
- Never grapes or raisins. Also avoid mango, peach and avocado pits, and apple seeds. Strawberries and acidic fruits, only in very small amounts. If you're unsure about a fruit, ask your vet.
- My dog ate chocolate. What can I give it?
- Nothing at home. Call your vet right away with the type of chocolate, the amount and your dog's weight. Dark chocolate and cocoa are the most dangerous.
- My dog ate chocolate and seems fine. Is it safe now?
- Not necessarily: symptoms can take several hours. Call your vet to find out whether the amount it ate is risky for its weight.
Related guides
- Can I give my dog Tylenol (acetaminophen)?Why not to give your dog or cat acetaminophen, ibuprofen or other human medicine.
- How to tell if your dog is sickSigns of fever, dehydration, poisoning and parvo in dogs, and when to go to the emergency vet.
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Sources
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