Which human foods can my dog eat, and how do I share them safely?

Short answer: yes, some human foods are fine for most dogs as an occasional treat. Carrots, green beans, peas, apple, blueberries, strawberries, cooked sweet potato and plain cooked chicken are good places to start. Before you share anything, check it is not on our list of foods to avoid, keep the piece small, and cut back your dog's meals a little to make up for it.

Vegetables to try

Carrots, green beans and peas are easy choices, raw or cooked. Sweet potato is fine cooked and peeled. Give them plain, with no oil, butter, salt or seasoning, and cut into bite-sized pieces so nothing gets stuck. Some vegetables can cause wind, so start with a small piece. Raw potato, and potato with green skin, are not for dogs, so skip them.

Next time you chop vegetables, set aside a few plain pieces for your dog before you add the seasoning.

Fruit to try

Apple, blueberries and strawberries are good options. Take out cores, seeds, stones and stems first, and cut apple into small pieces. Fruit has a lot of sugar, so a few pieces is plenty. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are not safe, so keep them out of the bowl.

Wash the fruit, remove the parts your dog should not have, and offer one or two small pieces.

Meat and peanut butter

Small pieces of plain cooked chicken make a good reward. Leave off the skin, sauce and seasoning. Peanut butter is fine in small amounts, but it is rich, and some brands contain xylitol, which is not safe for dogs. Read the ingredients every time. If xylitol is listed, do not give it to your dog, and if your dog has eaten some, call your vet.

Keep rich foods like peanut butter for special moments, such as nail trims or a vet visit, and check the label before every new jar.

Share a little, and skip the scraps

Treats should stay a small part of the day. If you give extra, give a little less at mealtime. Table scraps are best avoided, because many human foods are rich, salty or on the list of foods to avoid, and they can upset the stomach. Bones, corn on the cob and anything with a cooked-in sauce are better left on your plate.

Offer one new food at a time, a small piece at first, and watch how your dog does. If your dog has a health condition, is on a special diet, or has a sensitive tummy, ask your vet before adding any treat. If your dog is sick after a new food, our guide to vomiting and diarrhoea explains when to call your vet.

Pick one food from this page, try a small piece today, and keep the list of foods to avoid where you can see it.

Sources: PDSA, your dog's diet: pdsa.org.uk. Blue Cross, fruit and vegetables: bluecross.org.uk; peanut butter: bluecross.org.uk; poisonous foods: bluecross.org.uk. Dogs Trust, diet and nutrition: dogstrust.org.uk; toxic foods: dogstrust.org.uk. VCA, treats to skip and share: vcahospitals.com; dog treats: vcahospitals.com. Merck Veterinary Manual, xylitol.

General education only, not veterinary advice or a plan for your individual dog. If you are unsure whether a food suits your dog, please ask a vet. See our legal page.