Type any food and pick dog or cat — you'll get whether it's safe, toxic, a choking hazard or fine in moderation, why, and exactly what to do if they've already eaten it.
Every verdict on this site is transcribed from a veterinary source and cited on the record — we never infer one. The backbone is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: its “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets” list and its toxic/non-toxic plant database, which publishes a separate finding per species. Where the ASPCA has no food-specific entry we use VCA Animal Hospitals, the Merck Veterinary Manual, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine or Pet Poison Helpline, and the record says which.
We never copy a dog finding onto a cat. Cats are not small dogs — they are more sensitive to onion and garlic, lilies cause kidney failure in cats but are listed as non-toxic to dogs, and macadamia toxicity is established in dogs only. Where a species has no sourced answer, we leave it blank and tell you to ask your vet instead of guessing. Three foods in the database are blank for cats for exactly that reason.
Each verdict is one of five: Toxic (a poison, call now), Don't feed (not a classic poison but a real hazard), Choking hazard (the danger is obstruction, not chemistry), Caution (not toxic, but with caveats that matter) and Generally safe (fine in moderation for a healthy pet). Severity runs 1–5, where 5 means small amounts can be fatal.
How the amount question is used. For a caution or safe food, how much they ate genuinely changes the answer — a slice of apple is not a bowl of apple cores. For a toxic food it changes nothing, and we will never soften a toxicity verdict because the amount was small. Grapes have poisoned dogs at doses no one expected.
What this tool will not do. It will not diagnose, it will not tell you how to treat anything at home, it will never tell you to induce vomiting, and it will never give a dose. Those are decisions for a vet who can see your pet — inducing vomiting at home is dangerous with the wrong substance. This tool's job is to tell you clearly when to pick up the phone.
Limits worth knowing. Toxicity guidance changes as new cases are published, individual pets vary enormously (age, weight, kidney and liver health, existing disease), and “not in our database” never means “safe”. Data last reviewed on the date shown at the top of the page.
| Food | Category | Dogs | Cats | Highest severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Drinks | Toxic (5) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Almond milk and plant milks | Drinks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Almonds | Nuts | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Apples | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Apricots | Fruit | Don't feed (4) | Don't feed (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Asparagus | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Avocado | Fruit | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Baby food | Human snacks | Caution (3) | Caution (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Bacon | Protein | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Bananas | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Beans | Protein | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Beef | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Beets | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Bell peppers | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Blackberries | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Blueberries | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Bone broth | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Bread | Human snacks | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Breakfast cereal | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Broccoli | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Brussels sprouts | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Butter | Dairy | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Cabbage | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Caffeine | Drinks | Toxic (5) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Candy and sweets | Sweets | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Carrots | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Cashews | Nuts | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Cat food | Pet food | Caution (2) | Generally safe (1) | 2 / 5 |
| Catnip | Plants | Caution (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Cauliflower | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Celery | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Cheese | Dairy | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Cherries | Fruit | Don't feed (4) | Don't feed (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Chives | Vegetable | Toxic (4) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Chocolate | Sweets | Toxic (5) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Cinnamon | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Coconut | Nuts | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Coffee | Drinks | Toxic (5) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Cooked bones | Protein | Choking hazard (4) | Choking hazard (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Cooked chicken | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Corn | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Corn on the cob | Vegetable | Choking hazard (4) | Choking hazard (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Cottage cheese | Dairy | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Crackers | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Cranberries | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Cucumber | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Dates | Fruit | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Dog food | Pet food | Generally safe (1) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Edamame | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Eggs | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Figs | Fruit | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Fish bones | Protein | Choking hazard (4) | Choking hazard (4) | 4 / 5 |
| French fries | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Garlic | Vegetable | Toxic (4) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Ginger | Human snacks | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Grapefruit | Fruit | Don't feed (2) | Don't feed (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Grapes and raisins | Fruit | Toxic (5) | Don't feed (4) | 5 / 5 |
| Grass | Plants | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Gravy | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Green beans | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Ham | Protein | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Honey | Sweets | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Hops | Human snacks | Toxic (5) | Ask your vet — not established | 5 / 5 |
| Hot dogs | Protein | Caution (3) | Caution (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Ice cream | Sweets | Don't feed (2) | Don't feed (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Ice cubes | Drinks | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Jerky and dried meat treats | Protein | Caution (3) | Caution (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Kale | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Ketchup | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Don't feed (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Kiwi | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Leeks | Vegetable | Toxic (4) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Lemons and limes | Fruit | Don't feed (2) | Don't feed (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Lettuce | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Lilies | Plants | Don't feed (2) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Macadamia nuts | Nuts | Toxic (4) | Ask your vet — not established | 4 / 5 |
| Mango | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Marijuana and THC edibles | Human snacks | Toxic (4) | Toxic (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Marshmallows | Sweets | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Mayonnaise | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Milk | Dairy | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Mint | Human snacks | Don't feed (2) | Don't feed (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Moldy food and compost | Human snacks | Toxic (4) | Toxic (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Mushrooms (store-bought) | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Nutmeg | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Oatmeal | Human snacks | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Olives | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Onions | Vegetable | Toxic (4) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Oranges | Fruit | Caution (2) | Don't feed (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pasta | Human snacks | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Peaches | Fruit | Caution (3) | Caution (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Peanut butter | Nuts | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Peanuts | Nuts | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pears | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Peas | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pecans | Nuts | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Pineapple | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pistachios | Nuts | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pizza | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Plums | Fruit | Don't feed (4) | Don't feed (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Pomegranate | Fruit | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Popcorn | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pork | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Potato chips and crisps | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Potatoes | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Pumpkin | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Pumpkin seeds | Nuts | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Quinoa | Human snacks | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Raspberries | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Raw bread dough | Human snacks | Toxic (5) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Raw eggs | Protein | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Raw meat | Protein | Caution (3) | Caution (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Rhubarb | Vegetable | Toxic (4) | Toxic (4) | 4 / 5 |
| Rice | Human snacks | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Salmon | Protein | Caution (3) | Caution (2) | 3 / 5 |
| Salt and very salty foods | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Sardines | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Sausage and pepperoni | Protein | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Seaweed and nori | Human snacks | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Shrimp | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Soda and soft drinks | Drinks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Soy sauce | Human snacks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Spinach | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Star fruit | Fruit | Don't feed (4) | Ask your vet — not established | 4 / 5 |
| Strawberries | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Sugar-free gum | Sweets | Toxic (5) | Don't feed (3) | 5 / 5 |
| Sunflower seeds | Nuts | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Sweet potato | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Tea | Drinks | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Tofu | Protein | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Tomatoes | Vegetable | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Tuna | Protein | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Turkey | Protein | Generally safe (1) | Generally safe (1) | 1 / 5 |
| Walnuts | Nuts | Don't feed (3) | Don't feed (3) | 3 / 5 |
| Watermelon | Fruit | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Whipped cream | Dairy | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Wild mushrooms | Vegetable | Toxic (5) | Toxic (5) | 5 / 5 |
| Xylitol | Sweets | Toxic (5) | Don't feed (3) | 5 / 5 |
| Yogurt | Dairy | Caution (2) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
| Zucchini | Vegetable | Generally safe (1) | Caution (2) | 2 / 5 |
The ASPCA's core list is chocolate, coffee and caffeine, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, chives and leeks, xylitol (in sugar-free gum, candy and some peanut butters), macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw yeast dough, plus excessive salt and very fatty foods. Wild mushrooms and moldy food belong on it too. Search any specific food above to get its own sourced verdict rather than a rule of thumb.
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 straight away — don't wait for symptoms, because with several poisons the damage is done before the pet looks ill. Have three facts ready: what they ate, roughly how much, and when. Take the packaging with you. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to — with some substances it causes more harm.
Yes, and each for a different reason. Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs and no safe amount is known. Chocolate contains methylxanthines that affect the heart and nervous system, and the darker it is the worse — baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most concentrated. Onions, garlic, chives and leeks damage red blood cells and cause anemia, cooked or raw or powdered, and cats are more susceptible than dogs.
(888) 426-4435, staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by veterinary toxicology specialists. A consultation fee may apply. Your own vet or the nearest emergency clinic is the other call to make — if you can, ring while you are on the way rather than after you arrive.
Often not. Cats are obligate carnivores, so fruit and vegetables give them no nutritional benefit even when they're harmless, and several risks differ by species: cats are more sensitive to onions and garlic, true lilies cause kidney failure in cats but are listed as non-toxic to dogs, and macadamia toxicity is documented only in dogs. That's why this site gives a separate answer per species — and leaves it blank rather than guessing where the evidence only covers one.
For dogs: plain cooked chicken or turkey without skin, bones or seasoning, plain carrots, green beans, blueberries, plain canned pumpkin and plain cooked rice. For cats: small pieces of plain cooked meat or fish. The rule that catches people out is “plain” — the chicken is fine, the rotisserie seasoning, the gravy and the garlic butter are not. Keep treats under about a tenth of daily calories.