What your puppy can and can't eat
Treat ideas, things to give with care, and what they must never eat.
When to call the vet
- If your puppy ate something from the 'Never' list, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away, even if they seem fine.
Yes, in small pieces
Treat ideas. Always plain: no salt, oil, sugar or spices.
Their own kibble
The easiest option: set aside a few grams of today's portion and use them as rewards.
Carrot
Low in calories and fun to crunch.
Raw or cooked, cut small.
Green beans
Very low in calories.
Cooked, unsalted.
Cucumber
Almost no calories, lots of water.
Cut small.
Zucchini
Very low in calories.
Cooked, unsalted.
Plain pumpkin purée
Low in calories; a teaspoon is plenty.
Pumpkin only, no sugar or spices.
Apple
A low-calorie fruit; never the seeds.
Cut small, no core or seeds.
Strawberry
Low in calories; a medium strawberry has about 4 kcal.
Cut small.
Watermelon
Low in calories, lots of water.
Cut small.
Banana
Higher in calories than other fruit: just a small piece.
One small piece.
Red bell pepper
Many dogs will work for it.
Raw, cut small.
Cooked chicken
Very tasty; more calories than vegetables.
Cooked breast, no bones, no seasoning.
Cooked egg
Well cooked; raw egg can carry Salmonella.
Cooked, unsalted, cut small.
Be careful
Not poisonous, but they often upset the stomach or come with a catch.
Peanut butter
Only if it has no xylitol (check the label), and very little: it's very high in calories.
Milk and cheese
Dogs digest lactose poorly: it can cause diarrhea.
Citrus (orange, lemon…)
A little fruit usually causes at most an upset stomach; peel and seeds are irritating.
Coconut
Small amounts are rarely serious, but it can cause loose stools.
Nuts (almonds, walnuts…)
Very fatty: vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes pancreatitis. Best avoided.
Table scraps, salty, fatty or spicy food
They can cause vomiting or diarrhea, and a lot of salt is dangerous.
Raw meat or eggs
They can carry Salmonella or E. coli, which can make you sick too.
Very hard chews (antlers, hooves)
WSAVA advises avoiding them, and chews with sharp edges too.
Never
Toxic or dangerous for dogs, even in small amounts.
Chocolate and cocoa
Vomiting, tremors, seizures and heart rhythm problems; the darker, the worse.
Coffee, tea and energy drinks
Caffeine affects dogs like chocolate does.
Grapes and raisins (also sultanas, currants)
They can cause kidney failure in some dogs, even in small amounts.
Onion, garlic, leek and chives
They damage red blood cells (anemia), cooked or powdered too.
Xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets)
It crashes blood sugar and can damage the liver. Labels may also call it birch sugar.
Macadamia nuts
Weakness, vomiting, tremors and fever.
Alcohol
Vomiting, wobbliness and trouble breathing; in severe cases, coma.
Raw yeast dough
It swells in the stomach and makes alcohol.
Bones (cooked or raw)
They can cause injuries or blockages that need surgery.
Fruit pits and seeds (peach, plum, cherry, apple seeds)
Veterinary schools list them as toxic to dogs.
Treats never replace a complete diet. If your puppy has a health problem, ask your vet which treats suit them.
Sources
- Nutrition in Training
- Treat Guidelines for Dogs
- Healthy Human Food Treats For Pets
- Feeding treats to your dog (v2)
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Food Hazards (Pet Owner Version; Gwaltney-Brant SM, full review Oct 2020, updated May 2026)
- Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals (Hayes C, ASPCA APCC; full review Sept 2024)
This is general information, not a diagnosis, and it doesn't replace your vet, who always has the final say.
Content checked against its sources on November 13, 2026.