Vet note: Every dog is different. Introduce new foods slowly, in tiny amounts, and check with your veterinarian if your pup has health issues (pancreatitis, kidney disease, food allergies, diabetes).
Dogs can share a surprising number of “people foods”—when they’re prepared simply and served in dog-friendly portions. Use this list as a quick, safe guide.
The List + Serving Tips
1) Plain Cooked Chicken (No Skin/Seasoning)
Why it’s good: Lean protein for muscles.
How to serve: Boiled or baked, unseasoned, shredded.
Portion idea: ≈1–2 Tbsp per 10 lb (as a topper).
2) Plain Cooked Turkey (No Skin/Seasoning)
Why it’s good: Lean, low-fat protein.
How to serve: Roasted/boiled, no butter, onions, or spices.
Portion idea: Avoid deli turkey (salt) and skin (fat).
3) Eggs (Fully Cooked)
Why it’s good: Complete protein, biotin.
How to serve: Scrambled or hard-boiled—no oil, salt, or butter.
Portion idea: Small dog ½ egg; medium/large 1 egg, 1–2×/week.
4) Salmon (Cooked Only)
Why it’s good: Omega-3s for skin/coat.
How to serve: Baked/poached, flaked, no bones, unseasoned.
Portion idea: Skip raw/smoked (parasites/salt).
5) Sardines (Packed in Water)
Why it’s good: Omega-3s; soft bones add calcium.
How to serve: Rinse if salty; mash over food.
Portion idea: ½–1 small sardine (small dogs); 1–2 (large), 1–2×/week.
6) Plain Yogurt or Kefir (Unsweetened)
Why it’s good: Calcium; may support gut health.
How to serve: Spoon over meals or freeze in molds.
Portion idea: Choose lactose-friendly; NO xylitol.
7) Cottage Cheese (Low-Fat, Unseasoned)
Why it’s good: Gentle protein and calcium.
How to serve: Topper in small amounts.
Portion idea: Skip if lactose-sensitive.
8) Peanut Butter (Xylitol-Free Only)
Why it’s good: Tasty, great for puzzle toys.
How to serve: Thin smear in a toy; check label for xylitol/low salt.
Portion idea: ¼–½ tsp (small), 1 tsp (medium), 2 tsp (large), a few times/week.
9) Pumpkin Purée (Plain)
Why it’s good: Fiber for firm/regular stools.
How to serve: Mix into food; 100% pumpkin only.
Portion idea: 1 tsp per 10 lb.
10) Sweet Potatoes (Cooked)
Why it’s good: Fiber, beta-carotene.
How to serve: Steam/bake; mash or cubes; no butter/sugar.
Portion idea: 1–2 Tbsp (small); ¼–½ cup (large).
11) Carrots (Raw or Cooked)
Why it’s good: Crunchy, low-cal; beta-carotene.
How to serve: Coins/sticks; cook for sensitive teeth.
Portion idea: Freeze a big carrot for a supervised chew.
12) Green Beans (Plain)
Why it’s good: Low-cal fiber filler.
How to serve: Fresh/steamed; no butter, salt, or garlic.
Portion idea: A small handful in meals.
13) Blueberries
Why it’s good: Antioxidants; tiny training treats.
How to serve: Fresh or frozen.
Portion idea: 3–5 (small), 5–10 (large).
14) Apples (No Seeds/Core)
Why it’s good: Crunch + fiber; vitamin C.
How to serve: Thin slices; peel if sensitive.
Portion idea: Remove seeds/core.
15) Bananas
Why it’s good: Potassium; gentle on tummies.
How to serve: Slices; mash into a lick mat.
Portion idea: Higher sugar—go easy.
16) Watermelon (Seedless, No Rind)
Why it’s good: Hydrating; summer favorite.
How to serve: Cubes; remove all seeds and rind.
Portion idea: A few cubes as a treat.
17) Oats/Oatmeal (Plain, Cooked)
Why it’s good: Soluble fiber.
How to serve: Cook with water; cool before serving.
Portion idea: 1–2 Tbsp (small), up to ¼ cup (large) as topper.
18) White Rice (Plain, Cooked)
Why it’s good: Easy-to-digest carb for bland diets.
How to serve: Mix with lean chicken short-term (per vet).
Portion idea: Not for diabetic dogs without vet advice.
19) Quinoa (Plain, Cooked)
Why it’s good: Gluten-free carb with some protein.
How to serve: Rinse well, cook plain; mix small amounts into meals.
Portion idea: 1–2 Tbsp (small), up to ¼ cup (large).
20) Cucumbers & Zucchini
Why it’s good: Low-cal, hydrating crunch.
How to serve: Thin half-moons; avoid salted/pickled.
Portion idea: A few bites as training treats.
Quick “Do Not Feed” List (Common Mistakes)
- Xylitol (often in sugar-free peanut butter, gum, syrups)
- Onions, leeks, chives (and rich onion/garlic powders)
- Grapes/raisins
- Chocolate/cocoa
- Alcohol & unbaked yeast dough
- Macadamia nuts
- Rich, fatty scraps (pancreatitis risk)
- Cooked bones (splintering)
How to Add Human Foods Safely (Mini Game Plan)
- Start tiny. A pea-sized taste → observe 24 hours.
- One new item at a time. Makes reactions easy to spot.
- Mind the calories. Treats (including “people food”) ≤ 10% of daily calories.
- Keep it plain. No salt, sugar, butter, oil, spice blends, onions/garlic.
- Watch your dog. If you see gas, soft stools, itching, or ear gunk, pause and reassess.
Sample Serving Cheatsheet (General Guidance)
Small dogs (≤20 lb): 1–2 tsp to 1 Tbsp per meal topper
Medium dogs (21–50 lb): 1–2 Tbsp
Large dogs (51–90 lb): 2–4 Tbsp
Giant dogs (90+ lb): ¼–½ cup
These are topper amounts—scale down for rich items (peanut butter, cheeses) and up to veggie/fruit sides.
When to Call the Vet (Don’t “Wait and See”)
- Vomiting, diarrhea lasting >24 hours
- Hives, facial swelling, or trouble breathing (emergency)
- Sudden lethargy, refusal to eat, or abdominal pain
- Known conditions (pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes): get custom guidance before adding new foods
Sources & Notes
- American Kennel Club (AKC): safe foods & toxic foods (overview)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: canine nutrition basics
- FDA: xylitol in food products and pet risks
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: treat calorie guidelines