---
title: "Can pets eat it? Dogs, cats, rabbits and birds"
description: "Separate verdicts for dogs, cats, rabbits and birds, with what each food actually does and a dose threshold only where one really exists."
url: https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Can pets eat it?

46 foods with a separate verdict for dogs, cats, rabbits and birds, because a single answer for "pets" is wrong for at least one of them. Every page gives the mechanism rather than only the verdict, and states a dose threshold only where one is genuinely published.

> If this has already been eaten, ring your vet or an animal poison control line now rather than waiting for signs to appear — for several of these the window in which treatment works closes before the animal looks unwell. Do not try to make the animal sick at home: home emetics are dangerous for corrosive and petroleum substances and for an animal already showing signs, and salt-based ones have themselves proved fatal.

## The ones that are an emergency

| Food | What it does | Dose known? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chocolate | Dose-dependent. Dark and baking chocolate are dangerous in small quantities; milk chocolate needs much more. | Yes |
| Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants | Acute kidney failure. No safe quantity is known and it is not reliably dose-dependent. | No |
| Onion, garlic, leek and chives | Destroys red blood cells. Cooking, drying and powdering do not help — powders are more concentrated. | Yes |
| Xylitol and birch sugar | Triggers a massive insulin release, then hypoglycaemia, and at higher doses liver failure. | Yes |
| Cooked bones | Cooking makes bone brittle, so it splinters into sharp fragments instead of crushing. | No |
| Lilies | True lilies cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs rather than kidney failure. | No |
| Chewing gum | Almost all sugar-free gum contains xylitol, and a few pieces are a serious dose. | No |
| Alcohol | Much lower tolerance than a person and a much smaller body to dilute it. | No |
| Coffee, tea and energy drinks | Same class of compound as chocolate, and more concentrated in coffee grounds or a caffeine tablet. | No |
| Corn on the cob | The kernels are fine; the cob is one of the classic causes of intestinal obstruction. | No |
| Mushrooms | Supermarket mushrooms are fine. Wild ones are the emergency, and identification is not something to attempt. | No |
| Macadamia nuts | Weakness, tremors and an inability to use the hind legs, usually within twelve hours. | Yes |
| Salt, salt dough and sea water | Large amounts cause hypernatraemia, which swells and damages the brain. | No |
| Raw bread dough | Two problems at once: the dough expands in the stomach, and the yeast produces alcohol. | No |

## The ones people get wrong in the safe direction

- Avocado is a mild caution for dogs and cats — the stone and the fat, not the persin — and genuinely lethal to birds and rabbits. The warning is usually aimed at the wrong animal.
- There is no established safe number of grapes. Reported fatal cases involved very small quantities, and the response is idiosyncratic rather than dose-dependent.
- Xylitol reaches dogs most often through peanut butter, because that is what people use to hide tablets. Read the jar.
- Salt has been recommended as a home emetic and should never be used — fatal hypernatraemia from exactly that is documented.
- A cat eating dog food long term develops taurine deficiency, damaging the heart and the retina. "Pet food" is not one category.

## By animal

- [What dogs can and cannot eat](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/dog/) — 46 foods
- [What cats can and cannot eat](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/cat/) — 46 foods
- [What rabbits can and cannot eat](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/rabbit/) — 17 foods
- [What birds can and cannot eat](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/bird/) — 19 foods

## Everything

| Food | Worst verdict | Dogs | Cats | Rabbits | Birds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Chocolate | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | — | Toxic |
| Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | — | — |
| Onion, garlic, leek and chives | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic |
| Xylitol and birch sugar | Toxic | Toxic | Risky | — | — |
| Peanut butter | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | — |
| Avocado | Toxic | Risky | Risky | Toxic | Toxic |
| Milk and cream | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | — |
| Cheese | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | — |
| Cooked bones | Not safe | Not safe | Not safe | — | — |
| Lilies | Toxic | Risky | Toxic | Risky | — |
| Apple | In moderation | Safe | Safe | In moderation | In moderation |
| Tuna | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | — |
| Chewing gum | Toxic | Toxic | Risky | — | — |
| Alcohol | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | — | Toxic |
| Coffee, tea and energy drinks | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | — | Toxic |
| Banana | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | Safe |
| Carrot | In moderation | Safe | Safe | In moderation | Safe |
| Corn on the cob | Not safe | Not safe | Risky | — | — |
| Bacon, ham and fatty meat | Risky | Risky | Risky | — | — |
| Mushrooms | Risky | Risky | Risky | — | — |
| Dog food, for a cat | Not safe | In moderation | Not safe | — | — |
| Macadamia nuts | Toxic | Toxic | Risky | — | — |
| Salt, salt dough and sea water | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | — | — |
| Tomato | Risky | Risky | Risky | Risky | — |
| Blueberries and strawberries | In moderation | Safe | Safe | In moderation | Safe |
| Watermelon and melon | In moderation | Safe | Safe | In moderation | Safe |
| Almonds, walnuts and mixed nuts | Risky | Risky | Risky | — | — |
| Ice cream | Risky | Risky | Risky | — | — |
| Pumpkin | In moderation | Safe | Safe | In moderation | Safe |
| Raw bread dough | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic | — | — |
| Potato | Not safe | Risky | Risky | Not safe | — |
| Raw fish | Risky | Risky | Risky | — | — |
| Raw egg | Risky | Risky | Risky | — | — |
| Cherries, peaches, plums and apricots | Risky | Risky | Risky | Risky | — |
| Oranges, lemons and limes | Risky | In moderation | Risky | — | In moderation |
| Bread | Not safe | In moderation | In moderation | Not safe | Risky |
| Lettuce and leafy greens | Risky | Safe | Safe | Risky | Safe |
| Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower | Risky | In moderation | In moderation | Risky | Safe |
| Popcorn | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | — |
| Yoghurt | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | — |
| Honey | Risky | In moderation | In moderation | — | Risky |
| Coconut and coconut oil | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation | — | Safe |
| Peas, green beans and sweetcorn kernels | Risky | Safe | Safe | Risky | Safe |
| Nutmeg | Not safe | Not safe | Not safe | — | — |
| Rhubarb | Toxic | Not safe | Not safe | Toxic | — |
| Cinnamon | Risky | In moderation | Risky | — | Risky |

## Fruit

- [Can pets eat grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/grapes/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat avocado?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/avocado/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat apple?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/apple/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat banana?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/banana/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat blueberries and strawberries?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/blueberries/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat watermelon and melon?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/watermelon/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat cherries, peaches, plums and apricots?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/cherry/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat oranges, lemons and limes?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/citrus/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat coconut and coconut oil?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/coconut/) — Fine in small amounts
- [All 9 in fruit](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/category/fruit/)

## Vegetables

- [Can pets eat onion, garlic, leek and chives?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/onion-garlic/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat carrot?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/carrot/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat corn on the cob?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/corn-on-the-cob/) — Not safe
- [Can pets eat mushrooms?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/mushrooms/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat tomato?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/tomato/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat pumpkin?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/pumpkin/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat potato?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/potato/) — Not safe
- [Can pets eat lettuce and leafy greens?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/lettuce/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/broccoli/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat peas, green beans and sweetcorn kernels?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/sweetcorn-and-peas/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat rhubarb?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/rhubarb/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [All 11 in vegetables](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/category/vegetable/)

## Meat, fish and eggs

- [Can pets eat cooked bones?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/cooked-bones/) — Not safe
- [Can pets eat tuna?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/tuna/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat bacon, ham and fatty meat?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/bacon/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat raw fish?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/raw-fish/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat raw egg?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/raw-egg/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation

## Dairy

- [Can pets eat milk and cream?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/milk/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat cheese?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/cheese/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat yoghurt?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/yoghurt/) — Fine in small amounts

## Store cupboard

- [Can pets eat peanut butter?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/peanut-butter/) — Fine in small amounts
- [Can pets eat macadamia nuts?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/macadamia-nuts/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat salt, salt dough and sea water?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/salt/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat almonds, walnuts and mixed nuts?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/nuts/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat raw bread dough?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/bread-dough/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat bread?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/bread/) — Not safe
- [Can pets eat popcorn?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/popcorn/) — Fine in small amounts
- [All 7 in store cupboard](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/category/store-cupboard/)

## Sweets and baking

- [Can pets eat chocolate?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/chocolate/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat xylitol and birch sugar?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/xylitol/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat chewing gum?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/chewing-gum/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat ice cream?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/ice-cream/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat honey?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/honey/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [Can pets eat nutmeg?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/nutmeg/) — Not safe
- [Can pets eat cinnamon?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/cinnamon/) — Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- [All 7 in sweets and baking](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/category/sweet/)

## Drinks

- [Can pets eat alcohol?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/alcohol/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat coffee, tea and energy drinks?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/caffeine/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency

## Other

- [Can pets eat lilies?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/lilies/) — Toxic — treat as an emergency
- [Can pets eat dog food, for a cat?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/dog-food-for-cats/) — Not safe

## Common questions

### Can dogs eat chocolate?

No, and it is dose-dependent. Theobromine is the toxin; roughly 20 mg/kg gives mild signs and above 60 mg/kg risks seizures. Dark and baking chocolate carry about ten times the theobromine of milk chocolate, and white chocolate has essentially none.

### How many grapes are toxic to a dog?

No safe number is established. The reaction is idiosyncratic rather than dose-dependent — some dogs are unaffected, others have gone into acute kidney failure after a handful — so any amount is treated as an exposure.

### Is avocado really deadly to dogs?

Largely no. Persin is dangerous to birds, rabbits and horses, and much less so to dogs and cats. What actually causes dog emergencies is the stone, which obstructs the intestine, and the fat, which can trigger pancreatitis.

### What should I do if my pet has eaten something toxic?

Call your vet or an animal poison control line straight away rather than waiting for signs — for several toxins the treatment window closes before the animal looks unwell. Do not try to make the animal sick at home.