Dog questions, answered
Short answers to what dog owners search for most: what a dog can eat, which plants are toxic, what a behavior means, and the numbers worth knowing. Each one links to the full answer, with its sources.
If your pet ate something toxic, don’t wait: call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (a fee may apply).
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Can my dog eat it?
- Can Dogs Drink Alcohol? Toxic No. Alcohol is far more potent in dogs than in people, and a small dog can be poisoned by a few laps. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Drink Coffee? Toxic No. Caffeine is a stimulant dogs are very sensitive to, and the Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Toxic. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Drink Milk? Caution A little, if it agrees with your dog. The AKC says a few tablespoons of cow's or goat's milk on an occasional basis can be a nice reward for a dog that tolerates it. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Almonds and Other Nuts? Caution Best avoided. Almonds and most other nuts aren't poisonous like macadamias, but the Toxic-Foods Checker lists them as Caution. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Apples? Apples are a crunchy, low-fat, vitamin-rich treat that most dogs can enjoy. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Avocado? Caution Skip it. Avocado isn't the deadly poison the internet claims for dogs, but the risks outweigh any benefit. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Bacon? Caution Bacon isn't a dog treat. The AKC's answer is no, and the ASPCA says to avoid processed meats like bacon because they can be high in salt. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Safe Yes, plain banana is a safe, popular treat, and it is soft, cheap, and easy to portion. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Beans? Caution Yes, but only plain, well-cooked beans in a small amount. No veterinary source I checked gives a verdict on plain beans: the risk is in how they're cooked. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers? Safe Yes. The AKC quotes a vet calling sweet bell peppers not toxic and a healthy alternative snack, and Tufts lists sweet red peppers as a raw-vegetable treat. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Safe Yes. Blueberries are one of the best training treats there is: bite-sized, low-calorie, antioxidant-rich, and safe. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Bread? Caution Mostly harmless in tiny amounts — a small piece of plain baked bread won't hurt most dogs, but it's empty filler with no real benefit. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Caution In small amounts. Broccoli is a Caution food: fine as an occasional tiny treat, not a regular side dish. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Carrots? Safe Yes. Carrots are one of the best everyday treats there is: low-calorie, crunchy, cheap, and safe raw or cooked. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Celery? Safe Yes. Celery is crunchy, hydrating and very low in calories. The Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Cheese? Most dogs can have a small cube of plain cheese, but it earns a 'caution' label. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Caution Only the flesh. A few ripe, pitted cherries are fine, but the pits, stems and leaves are not. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Chicken? Safe Yes. Plain cooked chicken with no bones, skin or seasoning is one of the best treats and bland-diet foods for dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Chocolate? Chocolate is toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs clear far too slowly. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon? Caution A trace is fine. Cinnamon isn't truly toxic to dogs, and the Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Caution, not Toxic. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Coconut? Caution In small amounts, yes. The ASPCA says coconut is not likely to cause serious harm in small amounts, and the AKC says dogs can eat it in moderation. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Cooked Bones? Never No. Cooked bones splinter into sharp pieces that can choke a dog or cut and block the mouth, throat, stomach or gut. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Corn? Caution Plain corn kernels are fine — a spoonful of plain cooked or canned corn off the cob is safe for most dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Cranberry Sauce? Caution Plain cranberries, raw or cooked without sugar, aren't toxic to dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Safe Yes. Cucumber is crunchy, hydrating and very low in calories. The Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Eggs? Safe Yes. A plain cooked egg is safe, high-quality protein and a popular treat. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Grapes? Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Green Beans? Safe Yes. Plain green beans are low in calories and filling, which makes them a favorite treat for dogs watching their weight. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Ham? Caution Ham isn't toxic, but it's one of the saltiest, fattiest meats on a holiday table. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Honey? Caution In small amounts, yes. The AKC says honey is safe for dogs in small quantities, and Tufts calls natural sugars like honey generally safe for pets. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts? Toxic No. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, and the cause is still unknown. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Mango? Safe Yes. Ripe mango flesh is a safe, sweet treat. The Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe once the pit and skin are off. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes? Caution A little cooked potato, mashed with nothing added, is fine for most dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Mole? Toxic No. Most mole recipes contain chocolate, and many add onion and garlic, so one helping can carry two different toxins. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Safe Yes. The AKC says dogs can eat oatmeal, cooked in water and served plain. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Onions or Garlic? Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives damage a dog's red blood cells and can cause anemia. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Oranges? Caution In small amounts. A segment or two of peeled orange is fine for most dogs, but citrus is a Caution food, not an everyday treat. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Pasta? Caution Plain, fully cooked pasta is not toxic — a little is harmless for most dogs, but it's empty carbohydrate with no real benefit. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? Xylitol-free peanut butter is a first-class, high-value training treat for most dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Pears? Safe Yes. Fresh pear flesh is safe and the Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe, with or without the peel. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Peas? Safe Yes. Plain green peas are a low-calorie source of fiber and protein, and the Toxic-Foods Checker lists them as Safe. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Safe Yes. The AKC calls raw pineapple in small amounts an excellent snack for dogs, and the ASPCA lists pineapple among the fruits that are okay to share. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Popcorn? Caution Sometimes — plain, fully air-popped popcorn is a safe, low-calorie treat, but the movie-night version is not. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Pork Rinds? Caution No: chicharrón and pork rinds are fried pork skin or belly, high in fat and salt and often seasoned with garlic or onion powder. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Caution Cooked and plain, yes. Raw or green potato, no: it contains solanine, and the Toxic-Foods Checker lists raw or green potato as Caution. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Pie? Caution Canned pumpkin with nothing added is a safe, fiber-rich treat; pumpkin pie is a different food. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Safe Yes. Plain cooked or canned pumpkin is safe and adds fiber. The Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Raspberries? Safe Yes, in moderation. The AKC, VCA and Tufts all list raspberries as a fruit treat for dogs. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Raw Bread Dough? Toxic No. Raw yeast dough is toxic to dogs in two ways: it keeps rising in the warm stomach, and the yeast makes alcohol. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Rice? Safe Yes — plain cooked rice is safe and gentle, which is why vets often suggest it (with a little plain chicken) for a dog with an upset stomach. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Salmon? Safe Yes, cooked: the AKC says dogs can safely eat cooked salmon, plain and with every bone removed. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Shrimp? Caution Yes, in small amounts. The AKC says dogs can eat shrimp that is cooked and completely shelled. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food? Caution Better not: the AKC says you should never give your dog the spicy pepper varieties, such as jalapeños or chili peppers. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Spinach? Caution A qualified yes. The AKC says dogs can eat spinach, but it's not one of the top vegetables to share. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Safe Yes — fresh strawberries are a safe, vitamin-C-rich treat for dogs in moderation. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Stuffing? Toxic Most stuffing or dressing contains onion and garlic, which damage a dog's red blood cells. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes? Safe Yes, cooked and plain. Sweet potato brings fiber and vitamins, and the Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Tamarind? Toxic No. Tamarind has caused kidney failure in dogs, and the Merck Veterinary Manual groups it with grapes and raisins. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Caution Ripe red tomato flesh, in small amounts, is safe. The green parts are not: unripe tomatoes, leaves and stems are on the Toxic list. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Tortillas? Caution A small piece of plain corn or flour tortilla isn't a poison, but it's filler: calories with little nutrition. No veterinary source I checked names tortillas. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Caution In small amounts. A little plain cooked or canned tuna is safe and very tempting to dogs, but it isn't a food to give freely. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey? Safe The meat itself, boneless, skinless and unseasoned, is safe for most dogs in a few small pieces. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? Safe Yes — seedless watermelon flesh is a safe, hydrating summer treat, and it is about 92% water, so it is low in calories. Full answer →
- Can Dogs Eat Yogurt? Safe Yes, in small amounts: plain, unsweetened yogurt is usually fine. The Toxic-Foods Checker lists it as Safe in small amounts. Full answer →
- Is Xylitol Poisonous to Dogs? Toxic Yes — xylitol is severely toxic to dogs, and even a tiny amount can be an emergency. Full answer →
- Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat Plain, boneless, skinless turkey is the one part of the main plate most dogs can share, in a few small pieces. Full answer →
Is this plant toxic?
- Are Azaleas Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists azaleas (Rhododendron species, also called rosebay) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Full answer →
- Are Lilies Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Dogs: non-toxic Cats: toxic For cats, true lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are an emergency: the ASPCA lists kidney failure, and every part counts, including pollen and vase water. Full answer →
- Are Tulips Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists tulips as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with tulipalin A and B as the toxic principles. Full answer →
- Is a Peace Lily Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes, but usually mildly. The ASPCA lists the peace lily (Spathiphyllum) as toxic to dogs and to cats because of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Full answer →
- Is a Spider Plant Safe for Dogs and Cats? Dogs: non-toxic Cats: non-toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) as 'Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats.' Full answer →
- Is Aloe Vera Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists aloe vera as toxic to dogs and to cats, with vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea as the signs. Full answer →
- Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists monstera (Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant) as toxic to dogs and to cats. Full answer →
- Is Pothos Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists pothos (devil's ivy) as toxic to dogs and to cats because of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the plant. Full answer →
- Is Sago Palm Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes, and severely. The ASPCA lists sago palm as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with signs that run from vomiting to liver failure and death. Full answer →
- Is Snake Plant Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Dogs: toxic Cats: toxic Yes. The ASPCA lists the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata, also called mother-in-law's tongue) as toxic to dogs and to cats. Full answer →
Can my cat eat it?
- Can Cats Drink Milk? Caution Milk isn't poisonous to cats, but Cornell's Feline Health Center says it isn't generally recommended as a treat because many cats are lactose-intolerant. Full answer →
- Can Cats Eat Dog Food? Caution Not as their diet. Merck says cats have different dietary requirements than dogs and can develop nutritional deficiencies when fed diets formulated for dogs. Full answer →
- Can Cats Eat Onions or Garlic? Toxic No. The Merck Veterinary Manual calls cats the most susceptible species to onion and garlic, ahead of dogs, and says garlic is 3–5 times more toxic than onion. Full answer →
- Can Cats Eat Tuna? Caution Not as a regular food. VCA says tuna lacks essential nutrients, has too much unsaturated fat and isn't supplemented with vitamin E or other antioxidants. Full answer →
Human medicines
- My Dog Ate Acetaminophen (Tylenol): What to Do Now Toxic Acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) is toxic to dogs. If your dog swallowed any, call your vet or a poison line now, even if your dog seems fine. Full answer →
- My Dog Ate Aspirin: What to Do Now Toxic Aspirin is toxic to dogs. If your dog swallowed any, call your vet or a poison line now, even if your dog seems fine. Full answer →
- My Dog Ate Ibuprofen or Naproxen: What to Do Now Toxic Ibuprofen and naproxen are toxic to dogs. If your dog swallowed any, call your vet or a poison line now, even if your dog seems fine. Full answer →
Why does my dog…?
- Why Does My Dog Bark at Everything? “Everything” is usually a few specific triggers. Log a week of barking (time, what happened just before, how long) and the pattern shows up fast. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Chew Everything? Chewing is normal at every age. In puppies it eases teething pain, and the ASPCA says that intense phase usually ends by six months. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Dig? Digging is normal. Humane World for Animals, VCA and the AKC list fun, hunting, cooling off, burying, escape, attention, boredom and anxiety among the reasons. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? Why does my dog eat grass? Usually it's normal: most grass-eaters aren't sick and don't vomit after. What it means, the real risks, and when to call your vet. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? It's common: in a 2018 study by Hart and colleagues, about 23% of dogs had been seen eating stools at least once, and 16% did it often. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere? Most dogs follow you because it's normal social behavior, not anxiety. How to tell a velcro dog from separation distress, and when to gently build independence. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Growl at Me? A growl is a warning, not defiance. The AKC lists play, feeling trapped, guarding, pain and warning another dog away as common reasons. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Lick His Paws So Much? Frequent paw licking usually signals allergies, infection, injury, or anxiety. Learn what to watch for, when to call your vet, and how to track triggers. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Pee When Excited? Peeing at greetings is usually excitement urination or submissive urination, most common in puppies and young female dogs (VCA). Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Whine in the Crate? Most crate whining means the training moved too fast; the AKC and Humane World for Animals both say to go back a step. Full answer →
- Why Does My Dog Yawn and Lick His Lips When He's Not Tired? A yawn or lip-lick when your dog isn't tired or eating is usually a stress signal. What calming signals mean, how to read them, and how to respond, force-free. Full answer →
Quick numbers
- How Long Can a Puppy Hold Its Pee? Plan on about one hour per month of age (Humane World for Animals); the AKC's maximum is the age in months plus one. Full answer →
- How Much Do Puppies Sleep? The AKC says puppies usually sleep 18 to 20 hours a day; VCA says a puppy might sleep 10 or 14 hours and that this variation is normal. Expect a range, not one number. Full answer →
- How Often Should You Bathe a Dog? There's no single schedule: the ASPCA says at least once every three months, VCA about every 6 to 8 weeks for non-shedding breeds, and the AKC weekly to every 4 to 6 weeks for some coats. Full answer →
- What Is a Normal Dog Temperature? Normal is about 99.5 to 102.5°F (37.5 to 39.2°C) in Merck's rectal-temperature table, and 99.5 to 102.5°F per the AKC; VCA says 100.0 to 102.5°F (37.7 to 39.2°C). Full answer →
- When Do Puppies Stop Teething? Most puppies finish teething at about 6 months, when VCA says the adult teeth are normally all in; the back teeth can take until about 7 months. Full answer →