❓ Pet Food FAQ

No, grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure. Even a small amount can be fatal. The exact toxic mechanism is still unknown, which makes this especially dangerous, there is no "safe" amount. If your dog eats any grapes or raisins, call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately, even if your dog seems fine. Symptoms may not appear for 6-24 hours but can include vomiting, lethargy, decreased urination, and loss of appetite.

No, chocolate is toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolize much more slowly than humans. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder are the most dangerous. Milk chocolate and white chocolate are less toxic but still harmful in large amounts. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, and seizures. Contact your vet immediately if your dog ate chocolate.

Yes, but check the label first. Plain, unsalted peanut butter without xylitol is safe for dogs and most love it. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in some peanut butters that is extremely toxic to dogs. Always check the ingredients list for xylitol (also listed as "birch sugar" or "xylite") before giving any peanut butter to your dog. Peanut butter is high in fat and calories, so give it sparingly as a treat, not a staple food.

No, both onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. They belong to the allium family and can cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells). Garlic is more toxic pound-for-pound than onions. All forms are dangerous, raw, cooked, powdered, and dehydrated. Even small amounts consumed over time can cause toxicity. Symptoms include weakness, vomiting, breathlessness, and pale gums. Many human foods contain onion or garlic powder, so always check ingredients.

Yes, carrots are an excellent snack for dogs. They're low in calories, high in fiber and vitamin A, and many dogs love their crunchy texture. Carrots are great for dental health too, the crunchiness helps scrape away tartar. They can be given raw or cooked. Frozen carrots make a great teething toy for puppies. Cut into appropriate sizes to avoid choking in small dogs.

In small amounts, yes, most dogs tolerate cheese well. However, many dogs are lactose intolerant to varying degrees, and eating too much cheese can cause digestive upset, gas, and diarrhea. Cheese is also high in fat, so it should only be given as an occasional treat, not a regular food. Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella or cottage cheese are better options. Avoid cheese with herbs or garlic, which are toxic to dogs.

Yes, apple flesh is safe and healthy for dogs. Apples are a good source of vitamins A and C, plus dietary fiber. However, always remove the core and seeds before feeding. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed. A few seeds won't cause immediate harm, but it's best to remove them as a precaution. The peel is fine to leave on. Don't give applesauce with added sugar.

No, avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that is harmful to dogs. The flesh, pit, skin, and leaves all contain persin. Symptoms of avocado poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and fluid accumulation around the heart and lungs. The pit is also a serious choking hazard and can cause intestinal obstruction. Guacamole should also be avoided as it contains garlic and onion.

Yes, watermelon flesh is perfectly safe for dogs and makes a great hydrating summer treat. It's low in calories and high in vitamins A, B6, and C. Always remove the seeds and rind before feeding. Seeds can cause intestinal blockage, and the rind is tough to digest and may upset the stomach. The pink flesh is the good part, feel free to share a few pieces on a hot day.

Yes, cooked eggs are safe and nutritious for dogs. They're a great source of protein, fatty acids, and vitamins. However, raw eggs carry a risk of salmonella contamination and can also cause a biotin deficiency if fed regularly (raw egg whites contain avidin, which inhibits biotin absorption). Always cook eggs before giving them to your dog, scrambled, boiled, or poached with no butter, oil, salt, or seasoning.

Yes, bananas are safe for dogs in moderation. They're a good source of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber. However, bananas are high in natural sugar, so they should be given as an occasional treat rather than a regular food, especially for dogs prone to weight gain or diabetes. Remove the peel before feeding, it's not toxic but can be difficult to digest.

Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, even small amounts can be life-threatening. Xylitol triggers a rapid release of insulin in dogs, causing severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It can also cause acute liver failure. Xylitol is found in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters, mouthwash, toothpaste, vitamins, and baked goods. Symptoms include vomiting, weakness, loss of coordination, and seizures within 15-30 minutes. Call your vet immediately, this is a life-threatening emergency.

Most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Kittens produce lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose in milk), but most cats lose this ability as they mature. Giving milk to a lactose-intolerant cat will cause digestive upset including diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Despite the popular image of cats lapping up bowls of cream, it can actually harm them. Fresh water is always the best drink for cats. If you want to give a dairy treat, try lactose-free cat milk products.

No, while tuna is not toxic to cats, it should not be a daily staple. Regular tuna consumption causes several problems: tuna is high in mercury, which accumulates in the body over time; a diet of mostly tuna can lead to vitamin E deficiency and a painful condition called steatitis (yellow fat disease); and tuna is not nutritionally complete for cats. Occasional canned tuna in water as a treat is fine, but it should never replace a balanced cat food diet.

No, onions and garlic are toxic to cats. They contain compounds that damage red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia. Cats are more sensitive to allium toxicity than dogs. All forms are dangerous, raw, cooked, powdered, and dehydrated. Even small amounts in baby food or broths can cause problems if given regularly. Symptoms include weakness, pale gums, reduced appetite, rapid breathing, and collapse. This is a veterinary emergency.

Occasionally eating dog food won't harm a cat, but cats should never be fed dog food as their primary diet. Dog food is formulated for dogs and lacks key nutrients that cats need as obligate carnivores. Most critically, dog food doesn't contain adequate taurine, which cats must get from food to prevent heart disease and blindness. Dog food is also deficient in arachidonic acid and vitamin A in forms cats can use. Long-term feeding of dog food to cats causes serious, potentially fatal deficiencies.

Yes, plain cooked chicken is an excellent food for cats. It's a high-quality animal protein that cats thrive on. Always remove all bones before feeding, cooked bones can splinter and cause serious internal injuries. No seasonings, sauces, onion, or garlic. Plain steamed or boiled chicken breast is ideal. This is particularly useful if your cat has an upset stomach, bland cooked chicken and plain cooked rice is a common vet recommendation for digestive issues.

Raw fish should be avoided. While cats in the wild may eat raw prey, raw fish carries risks including bacteria (like Salmonella and Listeria), parasites, and thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). Thiamine deficiency from regular raw fish consumption causes neurological problems in cats. Always feed cooked fish to cats. The romantic image of cats eating raw fish is outdated and potentially harmful.

Cats evolved as desert animals and have a naturally low thirst drive. In the wild, they get most of their water from prey. Cats fed exclusively dry food are often chronically mildly dehydrated, which puts stress on the kidneys and urinary tract over time. This is a major reason why kidney disease is so common in older cats. Wet food has 70-80% moisture compared to 10% in dry kibble. Vets increasingly recommend incorporating wet food into a cat's diet to support kidney and urinary health, especially as they age.

No, chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which pets metabolize much more slowly than humans. Dogs are more commonly affected (they tend to eat more of it), but cats can also be poisoned. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, tremors, and seizures. Contact your vet immediately.

No, xylitol is toxic to both dogs and cats. It's found in many sugar-free products including gum, candy, some peanut butters, mouthwash, vitamins, and baked goods. In dogs, it causes hypoglycemia and liver failure. In cats, the same risks apply. Always check labels on any human food before sharing with your pet. If you suspect ingestion, call your vet immediately, this is a life-threatening emergency.

Yes, cooked eggs are safe and nutritious for both dogs and cats. They're a great source of high-quality protein and essential amino acids. Always cook eggs before feeding, scrambled, boiled, or poached with no butter, oil, or seasoning. Raw eggs carry a risk of salmonella and can cause biotin deficiency if fed regularly. Remove shells before feeding (they can be a choking hazard, though some vets say crushed shells are a calcium source).

As a general rule, treats and human food combined should make up no more than 10% of your pet's daily caloric intake. The other 90% should come from nutritionally complete pet food. Giving too many extras, even healthy ones, can unbalance your pet's diet and contribute to weight gain. Some pets are also more sensitive to dietary changes than others. Introduce new foods gradually and watch for any signs of digestive upset.

Yes, plain cooked pumpkin is safe and beneficial for both dogs and cats. It's often recommended by vets for digestive issues because it's high in soluble fiber, which can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Use plain canned pumpkin or cooked fresh pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices. Mix a teaspoon into their food. It's one of the most useful natural remedies for mild digestive upset in pets.