Petopedia

Can my pet eat this?

58 foods, plants, household products and medicines, checked for dogs and cats — with the signs to watch for and what to do.

If your pet has eaten something dangerous

  1. 1Move your pet away. Take away whatever is left and keep the packaging, plant or a photo of it.
  2. 2Call your vet now. Or your nearest emergency vet out of hours. Do this even if your pet seems fine — some poisons take hours to show.
  3. 3Don't make them sick. Only induce vomiting if a vet tells you to. With some substances it does more harm.
  4. 4Tell them the details. What, roughly how much, when, and your pet's weight. It decides the treatment.

The ones to know

Check anything

58 items, sorted for your dog

  • Food & drink

    Alcohol

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Pets are far more sensitive to alcohol than people. Small amounts can cause low blood sugar, low body temperature and breathing problems.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Wobbliness
    • Vomiting
    • Drowsiness
    • Slow breathing
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Sweet-tasting and extremely toxic: a very small amount can cause fatal kidney failure, and treatment works best within hours. Puddles on driveways are a common source.

    • Emergency
    • Winter

    Signs to watch for

    • Wobbliness, as if drunk
    • Vomiting
    • Excessive thirst
    • Lethargy, then collapse

    Treat any suspected lick as an emergency, even if your pet seems fine.

  • Household

    Batteries

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Chewed batteries can cause chemical burns, and small button batteries can burn through the gut within hours if swallowed.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Drooling
    • Mouth pain or ulcers
    • Vomiting
    • Not eating

  • Plants & garden

    Blue-green algae

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Some blooms in still water produce toxins that can be fatal within hours. You can't tell a toxic bloom by looking, so keep pets out of water with visible scum or warning signs.

    • Emergency
    • Summer
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Drooling
    • Weakness or collapse
    • Seizures
    • Breathing difficulty

    If your dog has been in suspicious water, rinse them with clean water and call your vet straight away.

  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Pets are very sensitive to THC. Edibles are worse because they often contain chocolate, xylitol or butter too.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Wobbliness
    • Dribbling urine
    • Dilated pupils
    • Sensitivity to touch and sound
    • Drowsiness

    Be honest with your vet — it changes the treatment, and vets are there to help, not judge.

  • Food & drink

    Chocolate

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Contains theobromine and caffeine, which pets clear very slowly. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, but any amount is worth a call to your vet.

    • Emergency
    • Christmas & Easter

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting or diarrhoea
    • Restlessness or hyperactivity
    • Fast heart rate
    • Tremors or seizures
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Concentrated cleaners and laundry pods can burn the mouth and gut. Cats can be poisoned by walking through spills and grooming their paws.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Drooling
    • Pawing at the mouth
    • Vomiting
    • Breathing difficulty

    Rinse fur or paws with plenty of water if they've walked through a spill, then call your vet.

  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Caffeine overstimulates the heart and nervous system. Coffee grounds, beans, tea bags and caffeine pills are the biggest risk.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Restlessness
    • Fast heart rate
    • Tremors
    • Vomiting

  • Food & drink

    Cooked bones

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Cooked bones splinter easily and can choke, cut the mouth or gut, or cause a blockage.

    • Emergency
    • Barbecues

    Signs to watch for

    • Gagging or choking
    • Vomiting
    • Straining to pass faeces
    • Bloody stools
    • Belly pain
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    The bulbs are the most toxic part, and dogs that dig them up can become ill. Flowers and vase water can also cause problems.

    • Emergency
    • Spring
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Drooling
    • Diarrhoea
    • Wobbliness
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and even small amounts have caused serious illness. The safe amount is unknown, so treat any amount as an emergency. Keep them away from cats too.

    • Emergency
    • Christmas

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting within hours
    • Lethargy
    • Loss of appetite
    • Drinking more, then producing less urine

  • Food & drink

    Hops

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Used and fresh hops can cause a dangerously high body temperature in dogs. A risk for home brewers and some gardeners.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Heavy panting
    • Restlessness
    • High temperature
    • Fast heart rate
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Common human painkillers can cause stomach ulcers, kidney damage or liver failure in pets. Paracetamol is especially dangerous for cats — never give pets human medicine unless your vet prescribes it.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Not eating
    • Lethargy
    • Dark or bloody stools
    • Swollen face or paws (cats, paracetamol)

  • Food & drink

    Macadamia nuts

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Cause weakness, especially in the back legs, along with tremors and a raised temperature in dogs. Often found in biscuits and cookies.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Weakness in the back legs
    • Tremors
    • Vomiting
    • High temperature
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Some moulds produce toxins that cause tremors and seizures. Dogs that raid the bin or compost heap are most at risk.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Tremors
    • Wobbliness
    • Vomiting
    • High temperature

    Use a lidded bin and keep compost heaps fenced off.

  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Cigarette butts, nicotine gum and especially vape liquid can cause serious poisoning. Some nicotine gum also contains xylitol.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Drooling
    • Restlessness
    • Fast heart rate
    • Tremors

  • Food & drink

    Nutmeg

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Contains myristicin, which can cause disorientation, a fast heart rate and seizures in larger amounts. Watch spiced bakes and puddings.

    • Emergency
    • Christmas

    Signs to watch for

    • Disorientation
    • Fast heart rate
    • Tremors
    • Stomach upset
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Damage red blood cells and can cause anaemia, whether raw, cooked or powdered. Cats are especially sensitive. Watch for hidden sources such as gravy, stock and seasoned leftovers.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Weakness or tiredness
    • Pale gums
    • Reddish urine
    • Fast breathing
    • Signs can appear days later
  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Many baits stop blood from clotting, and signs may not appear for several days. Pets can also be poisoned by eating a poisoned rodent.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Bleeding from gums or nose
    • Bruising
    • Weakness
    • Pale gums
    • Breathing difficulty

    Take the packaging to the vet — the type of bait changes the treatment.

  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Yeast dough keeps rising in the warm stomach, which can cause painful bloating, and the fermenting yeast produces alcohol.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Swollen, hard belly
    • Retching without bringing anything up
    • Wobbliness
    • Restlessness

  • Plants & garden

    Sago palm (cycad)

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Every part is poisonous, the seeds most of all, and it can cause liver failure. It's a popular houseplant, so it's worth checking what you have.

    • Emergency
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea
    • Lethargy
    • Yellowing of gums or eyes
    • Seizures

  • Household

    Slug pellets

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Some slug and snail baits cause severe tremors and seizures quickly. Even pet-friendlier formulas can cause stomach upset if eaten in quantity.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Twitching or tremors
    • Seizures
    • Drooling
    • High temperature

  • Plants & garden

    Wild mushrooms

    Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    Some wild mushrooms are highly toxic and hard to tell apart. Plain shop-bought mushrooms are less of a concern, but cooked dishes may contain onion or garlic.

    • Emergency
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea
    • Drooling
    • Wobbliness
    • Yellowing of gums or eyes

    If your dog eats a wild mushroom, take a photo or sample to the vet.

  • Dogs: DangerousCats: Dangerous

    A sweetener in sugar-free gum, sweets, some peanut butters, baked goods and toothpaste. In dogs it causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and can damage the liver. Check labels carefully.

    • Emergency

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Weakness or wobbliness
    • Collapse
    • Seizures

  • Food & drink

    Avocado

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    The flesh may upset stomachs and is very fatty. The stone is a choking and blockage risk. Guacamole usually contains onion or garlic.

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea

    Best avoided. Never let pets chew the stone.

  • Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    The flesh is generally fine in small amounts, but stones, stems and leaves contain cyanide compounds, and stones can cause choking or blockages.

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Belly pain
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Bright red gums

    Only offer a little ripe flesh with the stone removed.

  • Food & drink

    Citrus fruit

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Small pieces of orange flesh are usually tolerated by dogs, but peel, pith and seeds can upset the stomach. Most cats dislike citrus, and its oils can irritate them.

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea

    A segment or two for dogs at most. Skip it for cats.

  • Food & drink

    Coconut

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    The flesh is fine in small amounts but very fatty, which can upset stomachs. The hard shell is a choking and blockage risk.

    Signs to watch for

    • Diarrhoea
    • Vomiting

    A very small amount of fresh flesh, if any.

  • Plants & garden

    Conkers and acorns

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Both can cause stomach upsets if chewed, and whole conkers or acorns can cause a blockage. Large amounts of acorns can affect the kidneys.

    • Autumn
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea
    • Belly pain
    • Not eating

    Discourage chewing on autumn walks, and pick them up from your garden.

  • Food & drink

    Corn on the cob

    Dogs: CautionCats: Generally safe

    Plain sweetcorn kernels are fine in small amounts, but dogs that swallow pieces of cob often end up with a dangerous gut blockage.

    • Barbecues

    Signs to watch for

    • Repeated vomiting
    • Belly pain
    • Not passing faeces
    • Loss of appetite

    Kernels only. Bin cobs where dogs can't reach them.

  • Dogs: CautionCats: Dangerous

    Cats can't break down many compounds in essential oils, so oils on the skin or fur, licked or concentrated in the air can make them ill. Tea tree oil is a frequent culprit.

    • Emergency
    • Cats especially

    Signs to watch for

    • Drooling
    • Wobbliness
    • Breathing difficulty
    • Vomiting

    Keep oils and reed diffusers away from cats, and never apply oils to a pet.

  • Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Rich, fatty food can cause stomach upsets and is linked with pancreatitis, a painful inflammation that can be serious. Seasonings often include onion or garlic.

    • Barbecues

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea
    • Hunched posture or belly pain
    • Loss of appetite

    Skip the scraps. Use your pet's own food or plain treats instead.

  • Food & drink

    Honey

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Not toxic, but very sugary. Raw honey isn't advised for puppies, kittens or pets with weakened immunity.

    Best skipped. If you do share, a tiny lick only.

  • Plants & garden

    Lilies

    Dogs: CautionCats: Dangerous

    Not a food, but critical for cats: every part of true lilies and day lilies, including pollen and vase water, can cause kidney failure in cats. Keep them out of homes with cats. Dogs may get an upset stomach.

    • Emergency
    • Cats especially
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Drooling
    • Loss of appetite
    • Lethargy
  • Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Many adult dogs and cats don't digest lactose well, despite the saucer-of-milk image. Cheese is high in fat and salt.

    Signs to watch for

    • Diarrhoea
    • Gas
    • Vomiting

    A small cube of cheese as an occasional training treat suits most dogs. Give cats water, not milk.

  • Food & drink

    Peanut butter

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Plain peanut butter is a popular dog treat, but some brands contain xylitol, which is very dangerous. It's also high in fat and calories.

    Check the label for xylitol or 'birch sugar'. Use a thin smear, not a spoonful.

  • Food & drink

    Plain bread

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    A small piece of plain cooked bread isn't harmful, but it's empty calories. Watch for raisins, garlic, onion or seeds in some breads.

    An occasional small piece at most. Never raw dough.

  • Food & drink

    Plain popcorn

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Plain, air-popped popcorn is fine as a rare treat, but butter, salt and toffee are not, and unpopped kernels can damage teeth.

    A few plain, fully popped pieces.

  • Plants & garden

    Poinsettia

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Its sap is mildly irritating to the mouth and stomach. Far less dangerous than its reputation suggests, but best kept out of reach.

    • Christmas
    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Drooling
    • Mild vomiting

  • Food & drink

    Salty snacks

    Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    A little salt isn't harmful, but salty snacks in quantity cause thirst and stomach upset. Homemade salt dough and playdough can cause dangerous salt poisoning.

    Signs to watch for

    • Excessive thirst
    • Vomiting
    • Wobbliness
    • Seizures (in salt poisoning)

    Treat homemade salt dough or playdough as an emergency.

  • Dogs: CautionCats: Dangerous

    Swallowed string-like objects can bunch up the intestines — a serious emergency that is especially common in cats. Never pull on string you can see.

    • Emergency
    • Cats especially
    • Christmas

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Not eating
    • Belly pain
    • String visible under the tongue or from the bottom
  • Dogs: CautionCats: Caution

    Ripe tomato flesh is generally fine in small amounts, but the leaves, stems and unripe fruit — and green or sprouting potatoes — contain compounds that upset the stomach.

    • Garden & home

    Signs to watch for

    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhoea
    • Lethargy

    Ripe tomato only, in small pieces.

  • Food & drink

    Apples

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Apple flesh is a good low-fat treat. Remove the core and seeds, which contain small amounts of cyanide compounds and are a choking risk.

    • Good treat

    Small slices, no core or seeds.

  • Food & drink

    Banana

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Safe in small amounts, but high in sugar, so keep portions small.

    • Good treat

    A couple of thin slices, peel removed.

  • Food & drink

    Blueberries

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    A handy bite-sized treat. Strawberries and raspberries are also fine in small amounts.

    • Good treat

    A few at a time. Too many can cause loose stools.

  • Food & drink

    Carrots

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Low-calorie and crunchy, a good everyday treat for dogs. Cats can have a little cooked carrot, though most aren't interested.

    • Good treat

    Cut into sticks or coins to avoid choking. Cook it for cats.

  • Food & drink

    Cooked eggs

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain cooked egg is a good source of protein. Avoid raw egg, which can carry bacteria.

    • Good treat

    Boiled or scrambled without butter, salt or milk.

  • Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain cooked sweet potato is a good source of fibre. Never feed it raw.

    • Good treat

    Cooked and plain, in small amounts.

  • Food & drink

    Cucumber

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Crunchy, watery and very low in calories, which makes it a good treat for dogs watching their weight.

    • Good treat

    Slices or sticks, plain.

  • Dogs: Generally safeCats: Dangerous

    Many dog spot-on flea treatments contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Cats can also be affected by close contact with a freshly treated dog.

    • Emergency
    • Cats especially

    Signs to watch for

    • Twitching or tremors
    • Seizures
    • Drooling
    • High temperature

    Only use products made for cats on cats, and keep cats apart from a dog that has just been treated.

  • Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain green beans and peas are healthy, filling and low in calories. Avoid tinned versions with added salt.

    • Good treat

    Plain, cooked or raw. No butter or salt.

  • Food & drink

    Mango and pear

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    The flesh is safe in small amounts. Remove the mango stone and pear core and seeds first.

    • Good treat

    Small, peeled pieces, stones and seeds removed.

  • Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain, boneless, skinless cooked meat makes a good high-value treat for both dogs and cats.

    • Good treat

    No skin, bones or seasoning. Count it in the day's food.

  • Food & drink

    Plain oats

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain cooked oats are gentle on the stomach. Make them with water, not milk, and without sugar or raisins.

    • Good treat

    A spoonful of plain porridge made with water.

  • Food & drink

    Plain pumpkin

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain cooked pumpkin is high in fibre and well tolerated. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced.

    • Good treat

    A teaspoon to a tablespoon, depending on size.

  • Food & drink

    Plain rice

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Plain cooked rice is gentle on the stomach. Plain pasta is also fine in small amounts.

    • Good treat

    Plain and cooked, no sauces.

  • Dogs: Generally safeCats: Caution

    Plain cooked fish is fine as a treat, but cats fed a lot of tuna (or human tinned tuna in brine) can miss out on nutrients and take in too much salt.

    Offer plain, cooked, boneless fish occasionally. Choose tuna in spring water, not brine or oil.

  • Food & drink

    Watermelon

    Dogs: Generally safeCats: Generally safe

    Hydrating and low in calories. Remove seeds and the hard rind, which can upset the stomach or cause a blockage.

    • Good treat

    Seedless flesh only, in small cubes.

General information only; individual pets react differently and this list isn't complete. If in doubt, call your vet. Read more in our guides to treats and human foods, festive-season hazards and pet first aid.