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Dogs can be sneaky. With their cute faces and sweet eyes, it can be hard to say no, but when it comes to sharing your favorite foods, sometimes saying no is the safest option.

Before you share your food with your pup, you need to make sure it’s safe for them to eat. Read on to learn which human foods are okay for your four-legged friend, and which ones can make dogs sick.

6 Human Foods That Are Safe for Your Dog

Some human foods aren’t just safe for your dog to eat, they actually contain vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial for your pup. Here are a few human foods that are safe for your dog to eat:

1. Carrots

Carrots make a great low-calorie snack or training treat for your dog. They’re full of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, as well as other vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to health – and their crunchy texture makes them fun to snack on.

You can also freeze carrots to create a DIY chew toy that’s fun, beneficial for your dog’s teeth, and can be soothing for teething puppies.

2. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a great, high-value treat for many dogs. Its sticky texture makes it ideal to spread on lick mats or inside of food puzzle toys for an added challenge. In moderation, it can also be a good source of protein and healthy fats.

It’s important to look for low sodium peanut butter without xylitol or other artificial sweeteners. Xylitol is dangerous for your dog and can lead to a rapid drop in their blood sugar.

3. Proteins

Lots of great proteins can be incorporated into your dog’s diet, including chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, and many types of seafood.

Some dogs have allergies to specific proteins, so having a plethora of options is great. But make sure to always check with your veterinarian before introducing your dog to new foods.

If you do give your dog a protein, always make sure the food is cooked without any oil, fat, or seasonings, and that all of the bones, fat, and skin are removed.

4. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is considered a superfood because it’s rich in many essential nutrients and has fantastic health benefits for your dog.

Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential minerals like iron and potassium. Its fiber content, however, is what makes pumpkin so great. The highly soluble fiber content is good for your dog’s digestion, and it can help with diarrhea and constipation issues.

Make sure you reach for 100% pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling for your pup. This is because pie filling contains lots of sugar, which isn’t good for your dog.

5. Air-Popped Popcorn

Popcorn makes a fun snack for both you and your dog, but it needs to be prepared the right way.

Any popcorn that you give your dog should be unsalted, unbuttered, and popped without any oil. You also need to remove any unpopped kernels as they can pose a choking hazard.

6. Cheese

In moderation, cheese can be a great snack for your dog, and many types of cheeses can work as high-value treats to help with training as well.

Choose lower-fat varieties of cheese like mozzarella string cheese or cottage cheese.

6 Human Foods That Are Toxic for Your Dog

While some foods and treats are safe for dogs, many can be toxic. Avoid giving these foods to your dog:

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, two stimulants that can affect your dog’s metabolic processes.

While chocolate poisoning is rarely fatal, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures depending on how much your dog consumes. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your dog.

2. Onions and Garlic

Onions, garlic, and other members of the allium family can lead to hemolytic anemia in dogs. These plants contain disulfides and thiosulphates that damage your dog’s red blood cells, leading to pale gums, an elevated heart rate, and difficulty breathing.

Specifically, N-propyl disulfide attaches to the oxygen molecules in your dog’s blood and damages them, making it hard for their red blood cells to carry oxygen properly.

3. Xylitol

As mentioned earlier, xylitol is extremely dangerous for dogs. Even a small amount can lead to a rapid decrease in your dog’s blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia, liver failure, and even death.

Your dog’s pancreas confuses xylitol for real sugar, so it releases insulin to help remove the sugar from the body. Because there is no real sugar to remove, the insulin removes sugar from your dog’s bloodstream, leaving them weak.

4. Avocado

Every part of an avocado, including the leaves, seed, and bark from the tree, contains persin, a natural antifungal compound. Eating too much persin can cause digestive issues for your dog, like vomiting and diarrhea.

Avocados are also high-fat foods that can lead to pancreatitis if your dog eats too much, as well as weight gain.

5. Grapes and Raisins

While researchers are still searching for the exact cause of why grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs, they have been linked to kidney damage.

Veterinary experts suggest that dogs can’t metabolize the tannins, flavonoids, and monosaccharides in grapes, but the exact toxic substance is still unknown.

6. Macadamia Nuts

Just like grapes, the exact toxin in macadamia nuts is unknown, but eating even a small amount can lead to macadamia nut poisoning. Common symptoms include weakness, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

In severe cases, your dog may lose their ability to walk and experience constant tremors.

Are Your Snacks Safe for Your Dog?

While sharing a snack with your dog may sound like a great idea, consuming even a small amount of a toxic food can have damaging consequences for your dog’s health.

Always check the ingredients in your food and whether they’re safe for your dog to eat. It’s also important to check with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet.