Can Dogs Eat Human Food?

The short answer: It depends.

The long answer: Dogs are allowed to eat human food as long as they are not cooked with salt, sugar, herbs, savoury sauces, and artificial flavourings that may be harmful for him. Depending on the ingredients and its chemical makeup, some human food may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and mild stomach irritation, while others may be toxic for him. 

PetCareRx lists down the most poisonous food for dogs: chocolate, caffeine, garlic, onions, alcohol, raisins, grapes, salt, and apricot. These should never be fed to your dog even in small amounts. ASPCA also adds avocados, citrus, coconut, coconut oil, macadamia nuts, milk, dairy, nuts, chives, yeast dough, xylitol, and undercooked or raw meat, egg, and bones as must-avoid foods to give to your dog. 

For a comprehensive list of which human foods dogs can and cannot eat, click on our “can dogs eat” tag. We regularly update these to include more choices, ranging from fruits and vegetables to meat and dairy products.

What to do if your dog accidentally eats human food that’s unsafe for him: Observe your dog for poisoning. Watch for signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness to the point that your dog is unable to move. Contact your veterinarian immediately, especially if his condition worsens.

In summary: Some but not all human food may be safe for your dog to eat. Before feeding him anything, do a quick search to find out if the food you’re planning to give him is okay for consumption. Initially serve him a small portion to see how his body reacts to it. Also, always consider the cooking process and the ingredients used to cook with it. Remove the tough and/or sharp parts, and serve the food to him in bite-sized pieces to prevent choking and tearing of the mouth, tongue, and stomach.  

If your dog eats something lethal, try to determine the details of what he ate, then report this to your veterinarian. He may provide your dog with medicine or remove the toxic substance through various means. 

References:

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

The Most Poisonous Foods for Dogs

Poisoning in Dogs