Pet Food Safety Checker
Is it safe for your pet? Find out instantly.
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avocado
Toxic to dogs — contains persin which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and fluid build-up around the heart.
Caution for cats — persin can cause GI upset; the pit is also a choking and obstruction hazard.
grapes
Toxic to dogs — even small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure; the toxic compound is unknown.
raisins
Toxic to dogs — concentrated form of grapes, even a few can trigger kidney failure.
onions
Toxic to dogs — all forms (raw, cooked, powder) damage red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia.
garlic
Toxic to dogs — 5× more potent than onions; destroys red blood cells and can cause anemia and organ damage.
leeks
Toxic to dogs — member of the allium family like onions and garlic; causes hemolytic anemia.
chives
Toxic to dogs — allium plant that damages red blood cells and causes vomiting and anemia.
chocolate
Toxic to dogs — theobromine and caffeine cause vomiting, seizures, and can be fatal; dark chocolate is most dangerous.
xylitol
Toxic to dogs — causes rapid insulin release leading to hypoglycemia; can also cause liver failure.
macadamia nuts
Toxic to dogs — causes weakness, hyperthermia, vomiting, and tremors within 12 hours.
Caution for cats — not well studied in cats, but GI upset is likely; best avoided.
alcohol
Toxic to dogs — even small amounts cause vomiting, disorientation, dangerous drops in blood sugar and body temperature.
caffeine
Toxic to dogs — causes rapid heart rate, seizures, and can be fatal; includes coffee grounds.
raw dough
Toxic to dogs — yeast expands in the stomach causing bloat, and ferments producing alcohol which is also toxic.
nutmeg
Toxic to dogs — contains myristicin which causes disorientation, tremors, seizures, and can be fatal.
Caution for cats — myristicin can cause CNS effects; avoid use near cats.
blue cheese
Toxic to dogs — the roquefortine C mold produces a mycotoxin causing seizures and muscle tremors.
Caution for cats — high fat and salt content; the mold toxins can also cause GI issues.
cooked bones
Toxic to dogs — cooked bones splinter into sharp shards that can puncture the digestive tract.
lilies
Caution for dogs — most lily species cause mild GI upset in dogs; Peace lilies are more concerning.
Toxic to cats — true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) cause acute kidney failure in cats; even small exposures are life-threatening.
permethrin
Safe for dogs when used as directed — a common ingredient in dog flea treatments.
Toxic to cats — permethrin in dog flea treatments causes severe neurological toxicity in cats; never apply dog flea products to cats.
dairy
Caution for dogs — many dogs are lactose intolerant; can cause diarrhea and GI upset in large amounts.
raw eggs
Caution for dogs — raw egg whites contain avidin which blocks biotin absorption; also risk of Salmonella.
salt
Caution for dogs — excessive salt causes sodium ion poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.
citrus
Caution for dogs — citric acid and essential oils in the peel and pith can cause GI upset and CNS depression in large amounts.
coconut oil
Caution for dogs — very high in fat; can cause diarrhea and trigger pancreatitis, especially in predisposed breeds.
raw salmon
Caution for dogs — raw salmon from the Pacific Northwest can carry a parasite causing Salmon Poisoning Disease, which is fatal if untreated.
tomatoes
Caution for dogs — ripe red tomato flesh is generally safe in small amounts, but green/unripe tomatoes and the plant contain solanine which is toxic.
tuna
Safe for dogs in moderation — good source of protein and omega-3s; choose tuna in water and limit frequency due to mercury.
Caution for cats — tuna occasionally is fine, but feeding it as a staple causes mercury accumulation and nutritional imbalance; can also create tuna addiction.
dog food
Safe for dogs — formulated for canine nutritional needs.
Caution for cats — dog food lacks taurine, arachidonic acid, and preformed vitamin A that cats require; long-term feeding leads to serious deficiencies.
peanut butter
Safe for dogs — excellent treat in moderation; ALWAYS check the label for xylitol, which is deadly to dogs.
mushrooms
Caution for dogs — plain store-bought mushrooms are generally safe, but wild mushrooms can be highly toxic and some varieties cause organ failure.
chicken
Safe for dogs — cooked, boneless, plain chicken is an excellent lean protein source.
turkey
Safe for dogs — plain cooked turkey (no skin, no seasoning) is a digestible lean protein.
beef
Safe for dogs — cooked lean beef is a great protein source rich in iron and B12.
salmon
Safe for dogs — cooked salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and supports coat and joint health.
eggs
Safe for dogs — cooked eggs are a complete protein source with biotin, riboflavin, and selenium.
blueberries
Safe for dogs — packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins; a great low-calorie treat.
watermelon
Safe for dogs — hydrating and full of vitamins A, B6, and C; remove seeds and rind first.
apple
Safe for dogs — good source of fiber and vitamins A and C; always remove seeds and core (contain cyanide).
banana
Safe for dogs — rich in potassium and B vitamins; high in sugar so give as an occasional treat.
pumpkin
Safe for dogs — excellent source of fiber that helps with both diarrhea and constipation; use plain pureed pumpkin.
sweet potato
Safe for dogs — cooked sweet potato is rich in fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamins; serve plain without skin.
Caution for cats — high in carbohydrates which cats have limited ability to process; small occasional amounts of cooked sweet potato are low-risk.
carrots
Safe for dogs — low-calorie crunch snack packed with beta-carotene and fiber; great for teeth.
green beans
Safe for dogs — plain green beans are high in fiber and vitamins and low in calories; great weight-loss treat.
peas
Safe for dogs — fresh or frozen peas are rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins; avoid canned with added salt.
broccoli
Safe for dogs in small amounts — provides vitamins C and K; too much can cause GI irritation from isothiocyanates.
Caution for cats — not toxic but offers little nutritional benefit for obligate carnivores; limit to tiny occasional amounts.
spinach
Safe for dogs in small amounts — rich in iron and vitamins; high oxalates mean it should be limited for dogs with kidney issues.
Caution for cats — oxalates in spinach can contribute to urinary crystals, especially in cats prone to kidney stones.
rice
Safe for dogs — plain cooked white rice is easy to digest and often recommended during stomach upsets.
oats
Safe for dogs — plain cooked oats are a good source of soluble fiber and B vitamins; avoid sugar and flavored packets.
quinoa
Safe for dogs — cooked quinoa is a complete protein grain alternative with all essential amino acids.
Caution for cats — not harmful, but cats are obligate carnivores with limited need for plant proteins; tiny amounts of plain cooked quinoa are tolerated.
sardines
Safe for dogs — sardines in water are rich in omega-3s, calcium, and vitamin D; a great supplement topper.
plain yogurt
Safe for dogs in small amounts — plain unsweetened yogurt provides probiotics; avoid versions with xylitol or artificial sweeteners.
Caution for cats — most adult cats are lactose intolerant; plain yogurt may be better tolerated than milk but still cause GI upset.
cantaloupe
Safe for dogs — high in vitamins A and C, potassium, and water content; remove the rind and seeds.
mango
Safe for dogs — rich in vitamins A, B6, C, and E; remove the skin and pit (pit contains cyanide compounds).
Caution for cats — high sugar content; not toxic but not particularly useful for obligate carnivores.
strawberries
Safe for dogs — good source of fiber and vitamin C; high natural sugar so give in moderation.
Caution for cats — not toxic but high in sugar; cats lack sweet taste receptors and gain little nutritional benefit.
cucumber
Safe for dogs — very low calorie with high water content; great hydrating crunch snack.
zucchini
Safe for dogs — low in calories and fat, high in fiber and vitamins; a great diet-friendly treat.
celery
Safe for dogs — provides vitamins A, B, and C and acts as a breath freshener; cut into small pieces.
Caution for cats — not toxic but stringy texture can be a choking hazard; small pieces of cooked celery are safer.
asparagus
Safe for dogs in small cooked amounts — nutritious but very tough raw; lightly cook before serving.
Caution for cats — not toxic, but has limited nutritional value for carnivores and can cause harmless changes to urine odor.
kale
Caution for dogs — contains isothiocyanates and oxalates; tiny amounts are fine but regular feeding causes GI irritation and potential kidney/bladder issues.
coconut
Caution for dogs — flesh and coconut oil are high in saturated fat and can trigger pancreatitis or diarrhea.
corn
Safe for dogs off the cob — plain cooked corn kernels are digestible; the cob is a serious obstruction hazard.
Caution for cats — plain corn is not toxic but offers little nutritional value for obligate carnivores; avoid the cob entirely.
potatoes
Safe for dogs when cooked and plain — never raw (solanine); avoid butter, salt, or toppings.
Caution for cats — high carbohydrate content is not ideal for obligate carnivores; only plain cooked potato in tiny amounts.
pork
Caution for dogs — plain cooked lean pork is tolerable, but cured/processed pork (bacon, ham) is very high in salt and fat causing GI issues and pancreatitis.
shrimp
Safe for dogs when fully cooked and shelled — low in calories and fat with good protein; avoid raw or seasoned shrimp.
lobster
Safe for dogs in small cooked amounts — plain cooked lobster or crab is a protein-rich treat; avoid salt or seasoning.
Caution for cats — imitation crab contains additives and high sodium; plain real crab in tiny amounts is tolerable but unnecessary.
lamb
Safe for dogs — a lean red meat that's a good alternative protein source, especially for dogs with chicken allergies.
almonds
Caution for dogs — not directly toxic but can cause GI obstruction and are very high in fat risking pancreatitis.
cashews
Caution for dogs — high in fat; plain unsalted cashews in very small amounts are tolerated, but pancreatitis risk is real.
walnuts
Toxic to dogs — especially black walnuts which contain juglone; moldy walnuts produce mycotoxins causing seizures.
Caution for cats — high fat content; black walnuts and moldy walnuts carry similar risks.
pecans
Toxic to dogs — contain juglone and can develop mold toxins (aflatoxin); cause GI distress and neurological issues.
Caution for cats — high fat and juglone risk; not worth feeding.
bread
Caution for dogs — plain baked bread is not toxic but offers no nutritional value and adds empty calories; raisin bread is toxic.
honey
Caution for dogs — very high in sugar; not toxic in tiny amounts but avoid for diabetic or overweight dogs.
cinnamon
Caution for dogs — not toxic but can irritate the mouth, lungs, and GI tract; large amounts cause vomiting and liver issues.
peppers
Safe for dogs — bell peppers are a great source of vitamins A, C, and E; red peppers have the most nutrients.
Caution for cats — not toxic, but spicy peppers can irritate the digestive tract and most cats will avoid them.
spicy food
Caution for dogs — spicy foods cause stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, and excessive thirst; no benefit and real discomfort.
soy
Caution for dogs — small amounts of plain tofu or edamame are tolerated, but soy is a common allergen and can disrupt thyroid function in large amounts.
duck
Safe for dogs — plain cooked duck is a great novel protein source, especially useful for dogs with chicken or beef allergies.
rabbit
Safe for dogs — lean, easily digestible protein that's a great choice for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
venison
Safe for dogs — lean game meat rich in iron and B vitamins; excellent for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities.
cod
Safe for dogs when fully cooked — lean white fish is low in fat and provides quality protein and B vitamins.
beets
Safe for dogs in small plain cooked amounts — a source of fiber, folate, and manganese; don't feed pickled beets (too much salt/vinegar).
Caution for cats — not toxic but high in sugar and oxalates; not a suitable regular food for obligate carnivores.
lentils
Safe for dogs in cooked amounts — a good fiber and plant protein source; large amounts have been linked to DCM concerns in large breeds.
Caution for cats — not toxic but cats cannot efficiently use plant proteins; keep portions minimal.
mackerel
Safe for dogs — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and B12; choose versions in water without added salt.
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Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.