What must dogs not eat? A traffic-light guide to over 100 foods

What must dogs not eat? Here you will find over 100 foods with a clear traffic-light guide: green means safe in usual amounts, yellow means only certain parts, only prepared or only a little, and red means toxic or dangerous. Every entry explains why and cites its sources.

All foods from A to Z

• AlcoholDrinksRed
• PineappleFruitGreen
• ApplesFruitYellow
• ApricotsFruitYellow
• AuberginesVegetablesYellow
• AvocadoFruitYellow
• BananasFruitGreen
• PearsFruitYellow
• CauliflowerVegetablesGreen
• BeansVegetablesYellow
• BroccoliVegetablesYellow
• BlackberriesFruitGreen
• BreadGrains and side dishesYellow
• ButterDairy and eggsYellow
• CashewsNuts and seedsYellow
• DatesFruitYellow
• EggsOther foodsYellow
• Ice creamSweets and snacksYellow
• PeasVegetablesGreen
• StrawberriesFruitGreen
• Peanut butterNuts and seedsYellow
• PeanutsNuts and seedsYellow
• FigsFruitYellow
• FennelVegetablesGreen
• Cream cheeseDairy and eggsYellow
• PrawnsMeat and fishYellow
• PomegranateFruitYellow
• GrapefruitFruitYellow
• CucumberVegetablesGreen
• OatsGrains and side dishesYellow
• HazelnutsNuts and seedsYellow
• Yeast doughGrains and side dishesRed
• BlueberriesFruitGreen
• RaspberriesFruitGreen
• HoneySweets and snacksYellow
• ChickenMeat and fishYellow
• Chicken bonesMeat and fishRed
• Cottage cheeseDairy and eggsYellow
• GingerSpices and herbsYellow
• YoghurtDairy and eggsYellow
• CurrantsFruitYellow
• CoffeeDrinksRed
• CarrotsVegetablesGreen
• PotatoesGrains and side dishesYellow
• CheeseDairy and eggsYellow
• Chewing gumSweets and snacksRed
• CherriesFruitYellow
• KiwiFruitGreen
• GarlicSpices and herbsRed
• BonesMeat and fishYellow
• KohlrabiVegetablesYellow
• CoconutNuts and seedsYellow
• PumpkinVegetablesGreen
• Pumpkin seedsNuts and seedsYellow
• SalmonMeat and fishYellow
• LeeksVegetablesRed
• LiverMeat and fishYellow
• Liver sausageMeat and fishYellow
• LinseedNuts and seedsYellow
• LycheeFruitYellow
• Macadamia nutsNuts and seedsRed
• SweetcornVegetablesYellow
• MandarinsFruitYellow
• AlmondsNuts and seedsYellow
• MangoFruitYellow
• MelonFruitGreen
• MilkDrinksYellow
• MozzarellaDairy and eggsYellow
• NutmegSpices and herbsRed
• NectarinesFruitYellow
• PastaGrains and side dishesYellow
• NutsNuts and seedsYellow
• Olive oilOther foodsYellow
• OrangesFruitYellow
• PapayaFruitGreen
• PeppersVegetablesGreen
• ParsnipsVegetablesYellow
• PeachesFruitYellow
• PlumsFruitYellow
• MushroomsVegetablesYellow
• PistachiosNuts and seedsYellow
• PopcornSweets and snacksYellow
• TurkeyMeat and fishYellow
• QuarkDairy and eggsYellow
• QuinoaGrains and side dishesGreen
• RiceGrains and side dishesGreen
• RhubarbVegetablesYellow
• BeefMeat and fishYellow
• Raw eggsOther foodsYellow
• Brussels sproutsVegetablesGreen
• RaisinsFruitRed
• BeetrootVegetablesGreen
• LettuceVegetablesGreen
• SaltSpices and herbsYellow
• SardinesMeat and fishYellow
• HamMeat and fishYellow
• ChivesSpices and herbsRed
• ChocolateSweets and snacksRed
• PorkMeat and fishYellow
• CeleryVegetablesGreen
• Sunflower seedsNuts and seedsYellow
• AsparagusVegetablesYellow
• SpinachVegetablesYellow
• Sweet potatoesVegetablesYellow
• TeaDrinksRed
• TunaMeat and fishYellow
• TomatoesVegetablesYellow
• WalnutsNuts and seedsYellow
• WatermelonFruitGreen
• GrapesFruitRed
• SausageMeat and fishYellow
• XylitolSweets and snacksRed
• CinnamonSpices and herbsYellow
• LemonsFruitYellow
• CourgetteVegetablesGreen
• OnionsVegetablesRed

We do not have an entry for that yet. If in doubt, ask your vet.

How to read the traffic lights

• Green: safe. Fine in usual snack quantities, but it still counts towards the daily ration.
• Yellow: with caution. Only certain parts, only cooked or only a little. If expert sources disagree, the entry explains where they differ.
• Red: toxic. Toxic or dangerous, for example because of splinters. Do not give it; if you suspect a problem, call immediately.

Snacks count towards the daily ration

Even safe foods contain calories. Work out how much food your dog needs each day with the free feeding calculator. For a complete feeding plan with rules for treats, see our book “Hundeernährung und Futterplan” (book in German), and for the first weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack.

Further reading

• Calculating your dog’s food portions: how much your dog really needs
• Christmas with your dog: what to arrange in advance
• Is my dog overweight? How to assess body condition and ideal weight

The ratings are based on the sources cited in individual entries (including ASPCA Animal Poison Control, MSD Veterinary Manual and Pet Poison Helpline), accessed on 20.10.2026. They do not replace veterinary advice.

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