Data report · Updated October 2026
Dog food safety statistics for the US: 66 American foods, candies, drinks and holiday dishes rated for dogs
Of 66 American foods rated by dogeats.in, 21 are unsafe for dogs (31.8%), 42 need caution (63.6%) and only 3 are safe (4.5%). Chocolate leads 6 of the 21 unsafe verdicts. In ASPCA Poison Control data, food and drink plus chocolate made up 30% of 2025 pet exposures.
Key findings
- 21 of our 66 US food pages carry an unsafe verdict (31.8%), 42 say caution (63.6%) and 3 say safe (4.5%).
- All 5 chocolate candy bars in the database are unsafe, while all 12 candies with no chocolate or caffeine are rated caution.
- Drinks have the highest unsafe share of any type, 3 of 7 (42.9%), driven by caffeine in Red Bull and Monster and cocoa in hot chocolate.
- Fast food chains have the lowest unsafe share, 1 of 8 (12.5%): only Taco Bell is unsafe, because onion and garlic run through nearly every item.
- Fat and salt is the most common hazard, named on 39 of 66 pages (59.1%), ahead of onion and garlic on 25 pages (37.9%).
- Xylitol appears on 13 pages, usually as a hidden risk in sugar-free versions of candy, cookies, drinks and peanut butter cups.
- 16 of the 66 foods (24.2%) carry three or more separate hazards; trail mix carries four: raisins, chocolate, fat and salt, and macadamia nuts.
- ASPCA Poison Control ranked food and drink second (16.4%) and chocolate fourth (13.6%) among 2025 pet exposures.
- Pet Poison Helpline says xylitol calls rose 108% from 2015 to 2020 and were still nearly 75% above 2020 levels in 2025.
How many common American foods are safe for dogs?
Very few. Of the 66 American foods on dogeats.in, only 3 are rated safe: plain dinner rolls, plain roasted chestnuts and a Starbucks Puppuccino. Each of the three comes with a condition about plain form or small amounts.
21 foods (31.8%) are rated unsafe, which means we advise no serving at any size. The other 42 (63.6%) sit in the caution column. A caution verdict means a plain, small portion is usually tolerated, while common versions of the food carry real risk.
These 66 pages are not a random sample of the American diet. We chose them because US dog owners search for them: candy brands, fast food chains, holiday dishes, drinks and party snacks. That focus is why the safe share is so low.
Source: dogeats.in US food safety pages, reviewed September 2026.
Show the numbers
| Label | foods |
|---|---|
| Caution | 42 (63.6%) |
| Unsafe | 21 (31.8%) |
| Safe | 3 (4.5%) |
Embed this chart
| Food | Type | Verdict | Main hazard | Hazards named on the page | Number of hazards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Wings | Snacks and cookout food | Unsafe | Cooked bones | Cooked bones; Onion and garlic; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Chili | Snacks and cookout food | Unsafe | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Chocolate (theobromine) | 2 |
| Christmas Pudding | Holiday dishes | Unsafe | Grapes, raisins, currants | Grapes, raisins, currants; Alcohol or raw dough; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Corn on the Cob | Snacks and cookout food | Unsafe | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Easter Grass | Holiday dishes | Unsafe | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging | 1 |
| Eggnog | Holiday dishes | Unsafe | Alcohol or raw dough | Alcohol or raw dough; Nutmeg and spice; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Hershey's Chocolate | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine); Fat and salt | 2 |
| Hot Chocolate | Drinks | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine); Caffeine; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Jelly Beans | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe | Xylitol | Xylitol; Caffeine; Chocolate (theobromine) | 3 |
| Kebabs | Snacks and cookout food | Unsafe | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Onion and garlic; Fat and salt | 3 |
| M&Ms | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine) | 1 |
| Mince Pie | Holiday dishes | Unsafe | Grapes, raisins, currants | Grapes, raisins, currants; Alcohol or raw dough; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Monster Energy | Drinks | Unsafe | Caffeine | Caffeine | 1 |
| Pecan Pie | Holiday dishes | Unsafe | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Other compound | 2 |
| Red Bull | Drinks | Unsafe | Caffeine | Caffeine | 1 |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine); Xylitol; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Snickers | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine); Fat and salt; Choking, blockage or packaging | 3 |
| Stuffing | Holiday dishes | Unsafe | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Grapes, raisins, currants; Fat and salt | 3 |
| Taco Bell | Fast food chains | Unsafe | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Trail Mix | Snacks and cookout food | Unsafe | Grapes, raisins, currants | Grapes, raisins, currants; Chocolate (theobromine); Fat and salt; Other compound | 4 |
| Twix | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine); Fat and salt | 2 |
| Apple Cider | Drinks | Caution | Alcohol or raw dough | Alcohol or raw dough | 1 |
| Bagels | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Grapes, raisins, currants | 2 |
| Candy Canes | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Xylitol | 2 |
| Candy Corn | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Sugar only | None of these (sugar only) | 0 |
| Capri Sun | Drinks | Caution | Sugar only | Choking, blockage or packaging | 1 |
| Chick-fil-A | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Christmas Ham | Holiday dishes | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Cooked bones | 2 |
| Coca-Cola | Drinks | Caution | Caffeine | Caffeine; Xylitol | 2 |
| Conversation Hearts | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Chocolate (theobromine) | 2 |
| Cranberry Sauce | Holiday dishes | Caution | Sugar only | Alcohol or raw dough | 1 |
| Deviled Eggs | Holiday dishes | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Gatorade | Drinks | Caution | Sugar only | Fat and salt; Xylitol | 2 |
| Gingerbread | Holiday dishes | Caution | Nutmeg and spice | Nutmeg and spice; Xylitol | 2 |
| Goldfish Crackers | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Granola Bars | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Chocolate (theobromine) | Chocolate (theobromine); Grapes, raisins, currants; Xylitol | 3 |
| Gravy | Holiday dishes | Caution | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Green Bean Casserole | Holiday dishes | Caution | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Gummy Bears | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Xylitol | 2 |
| Gummy Worms | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Xylitol | 2 |
| Hamburgers | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Hot Dogs | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic; Choking, blockage or packaging | 3 |
| Jolly Ranchers | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging | 1 |
| KFC | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Cooked bones; Onion and garlic | 3 |
| Licorice | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Other compound | Other compound | 1 |
| Life Savers | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Xylitol | 2 |
| Mashed Potatoes | Holiday dishes | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| McDonald's | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic; Choking, blockage or packaging | 3 |
| Nachos | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Peeps | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging; Xylitol | 2 |
| Pizza Hut | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Potato Salad | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Pumpkin Pie | Holiday dishes | Caution | Nutmeg and spice | Nutmeg and spice; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Queso | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Red Vines | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging | 1 |
| Scalloped Potatoes | Holiday dishes | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Skittles | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Sugar only | Xylitol | 1 |
| Sliders | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Onion and garlic | Onion and garlic; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Starburst | Candy and chocolate | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Choking, blockage or packaging | 1 |
| String Cheese | Snacks and cookout food | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt | 1 |
| Subway | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Sugar Cookies | Holiday dishes | Caution | Sugar only | Xylitol; Fat and salt | 2 |
| Wendy's | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt | Fat and salt; Chocolate (theobromine); Onion and garlic | 3 |
| Dinner Rolls | Holiday dishes | Safe | Low risk in plain form | Alcohol or raw dough; Onion and garlic | 2 |
| Roasted Chestnuts | Holiday dishes | Safe | Low risk in plain form | Choking, blockage or packaging | 1 |
| Starbucks Puppuccino | Fast food chains | Safe | Low risk in plain form | Fat and salt | 1 |
The full table is sortable. Unsafe foods are listed first, then caution, then safe. Each name matches a page under our US food guides.
Unsafe foods by type: drinks lead, fast food trails
We sorted the 66 pages into five types. Drinks carry the highest unsafe share at 3 of 7 (42.9%). Candy and chocolate, holiday dishes, and snacks and cookout food each sit at exactly one in three.
Fast food chains are the outlier at 1 of 8 (12.5%). Most chain menus are salty and greasy rather than toxic, so they land in caution. Taco Bell is the exception, because onion and garlic run through its meat seasoning and sauces.
Candy and holiday dishes are the two largest groups, with 18 pages each. Together they hold 12 of the 21 unsafe verdicts.
Source: dogeats.in US food pages. Type assigned by dogeats.in editors; each food has one type.
Show the numbers
| Label | Safe | Caution | Unsafe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candy and chocolate | 0 | 12 | 6 |
| Holiday dishes | 2 | 10 | 6 |
| Snacks and cookout food | 0 | 10 | 5 |
| Fast food chains | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Drinks | 0 | 4 | 3 |
Embed this chart
| Type | Pages | Safe | Caution | Unsafe | Unsafe share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candy and chocolate | 18 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 33.3 |
| Holiday dishes | 18 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 33.3 |
| Snacks and cookout food | 15 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 33.3 |
| Fast food chains | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 12.5 |
| Drinks | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 42.9 |
Small groups swing easily. One more unsafe drink would push that type above 50%, so read the drink figure as a pattern rather than a precise rate.
The hazards named on our pages
Fat and salt is the most common hazard, named on 39 of 66 pages (59.1%). It covers pancreatitis risk from rich, greasy food and the sodium load in cured meat, cheese and fries. It leads only one unsafe verdict, pecan pie.
Onion and garlic come second, on 25 pages (37.9%). They hide in gravy, stuffing, queso, burger seasoning and fast food sauces. Choking, blockage and packaging risks follow on 17 pages, from corn cobs and kebab skewers to candy wrappers.
The classic toxins are less frequent but more decisive. Chocolate appears on 12 pages and 9 of them are unsafe. Caffeine appears on 5 pages and 4 are unsafe. Grapes and raisins appear on 6 pages and 4 are unsafe.
Source: dogeats.in US food pages, classified by dogeats.in editors from page text. A page can name several hazards.
Show the numbers
| Label | pages |
|---|---|
| Fat and salt | 39 (59.1%) |
| Onion and garlic | 25 (37.9%) |
| Choking, blockage or packaging | 17 (25.8%) |
| Xylitol | 13 (19.7%) |
| Chocolate (theobromine) | 12 (18.2%) |
| Alcohol or raw dough | 6 (9.1%) |
| Grapes, raisins, currants | 6 (9.1%) |
| Caffeine | 5 (7.6%) |
| Cooked bones | 3 (4.5%) |
| Nutmeg and spice | 3 (4.5%) |
| Other compound | 3 (4.5%) |
Embed this chart
| Hazard | Pages naming it | Unsafe | Caution | Safe | Unsafe share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fat and salt | 39 | 15 | 23 | 1 | 38.5 |
| Onion and garlic | 25 | 5 | 19 | 1 | 20.0 |
| Choking, blockage or packaging | 17 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 23.5 |
| Xylitol | 13 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 15.4 |
| Chocolate (theobromine) | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 75.0 |
| Alcohol or raw dough | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 50.0 |
| Grapes, raisins, currants | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 66.7 |
| Caffeine | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.0 |
| Cooked bones | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3 |
| Nutmeg and spice | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3 |
| Other compound | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
Source: dogeats.in US food pages. Main hazard is the one the page's quick answer leads with.
Show the numbers
| Label | foods |
|---|---|
| Chocolate (theobromine) | 6 |
| Onion and garlic | 3 |
| Grapes, raisins, currants | 3 |
| Choking, blockage or packaging | 3 |
| Caffeine | 2 |
| Cooked bones | 1 |
| Alcohol or raw dough | 1 |
| Xylitol | 1 |
| Fat and salt | 1 |
Embed this chart
16 foods (24.2%) carry three or more separate hazards. Trail mix carries four in one bag: raisins, chocolate chips, salted nuts and sometimes macadamia nuts. Eggnog, mince pie and Christmas pudding each stack alcohol on top of other risks.
Candy and chocolate brands: the chocolate line decides the verdict
Among 18 candy pages, the verdict follows one rule. All 5 chocolate bars are unsafe: Hershey's, M&Ms, Reese's, Snickers and Twix. Jelly beans are also unsafe, because some lines contain xylitol or caffeine and a spilled bag mixes them.
The other 12 candies are all caution. Skittles, Starburst, gummy bears, Peeps and candy canes are not chocolate-based. Their risks are sugar, sticky or hard shapes that cause choking, and xylitol in sugar-free versions.
Brand names matter less than ingredients. Of 11 branded candies, 5 are unsafe and all 5 contain chocolate.
| Candy | Brand or generic | Verdict | Main hazard | Xylitol warning on page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hershey's Chocolate | Brand | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | No |
| Jelly Beans | Generic | Unsafe | Xylitol | Yes |
| M&Ms | Brand | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | No |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | Brand | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | Yes |
| Snickers | Brand | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | No |
| Twix | Brand | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) | No |
| Candy Canes | Generic | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Yes |
| Candy Corn | Generic | Caution | Sugar only | No |
| Conversation Hearts | Generic | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | No |
| Gummy Bears | Generic | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Yes |
| Gummy Worms | Generic | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Yes |
| Jolly Ranchers | Brand | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | No |
| Licorice | Generic | Caution | Other compound | No |
| Life Savers | Brand | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Yes |
| Peeps | Brand | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | Yes |
| Red Vines | Brand | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | No |
| Skittles | Brand | Caution | Sugar only | Yes |
| Starburst | Brand | Caution | Choking, blockage or packaging | No |
Xylitol: the hidden risk in caution foods
Xylitol is named on 13 pages, and 11 of them are rated caution rather than unsafe. The pattern is the same each time. The standard product contains sugar, while a sugar-free version of it may contain xylitol.
Candy, cookie icing, gingerbread, granola bars, diet soda and zero-sugar sports drinks fall into this group. Our xylitol guide explains why the sweetener is so dangerous for dogs. Read the label before assuming any sugar-free product is fine.
Pet Poison Helpline data shows the trend. Calls about xylitol rose 108% between 2015 and 2020, with the largest one-year jump in 2019 (47.2%). The helpline says xylitol was its fourth most common dog poisoning call in both 2024 and 2025.
| Food | Type | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Canes | Candy and chocolate | Caution |
| Coca-Cola | Drinks | Caution |
| Gatorade | Drinks | Caution |
| Gingerbread | Holiday dishes | Caution |
| Granola Bars | Snacks and cookout food | Caution |
| Gummy Bears | Candy and chocolate | Caution |
| Gummy Worms | Candy and chocolate | Caution |
| Jelly Beans | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe |
| Life Savers | Candy and chocolate | Caution |
| Peeps | Candy and chocolate | Caution |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | Candy and chocolate | Unsafe |
| Skittles | Candy and chocolate | Caution |
| Sugar Cookies | Holiday dishes | Caution |
Source: Pet Poison Helpline (2021 release on 2015 to 2020 calls); AKC quoting Pet Poison Helpline's Dr. Renee Schmid, April 2026. Different periods, not additive.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| 2015 to 2020 | +108% |
| 2018 to 2019 | +47.2% |
| 2020 to 2025 | about +75% |
Embed this chart
What are the most common pet poisons in the US?
Over-the-counter medications and supplements top the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center list for 2025, at 16.9% of exposures. Food and drink came second at 16.4%, and chocolate, counted separately, was fourth at 13.6%. Together the two food categories made up 30.0% of exposures.
The ASPCA counted calls about more than 376,000 items in 2025. It names grapes, raisins, xylitol gums, onions and garlic as the largest part of the food and drink group. Those are the same hazards that drive most of our unsafe verdicts.
The food shares barely move from year to year. Food and drink sat between 16.1% and 16.4% from 2023 to 2025. Chocolate rose from 13.0% in 2023 to 13.6% in 2024 and held there in 2025.
Source: ASPCA, The Top 10 Toxins of 2025 (March 2026). Human prescription medications ranked third but no share was published.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| Over-the-counter medications and supplements | 16.9% |
| Food and drink | 16.4% |
| Chocolate | 13.6% |
| Veterinary products | 9.1% |
| Plants and fungi | 7.5% |
| Rodenticides | 6.5% |
| Household products | 6.4% |
| Insecticides | 3.8% |
| Recreational drugs | 1.9% |
Embed this chart
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over-the-counter medications and supplements | 16.8 | 16.5 | 16.9 |
| Food and drink | 16.2 | 16.1 | 16.4 |
| Chocolate | 13.0 | 13.6 | 13.6 |
| Veterinary products | 8.3 | 8.6 | 9.1 |
| Plants and fungi | 8.1 | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| Rodenticides | 6.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Household products | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.4 |
| Insecticides | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| Recreational drugs | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Human prescription medications (ranked 3rd) | not published | not published | not published |
The ASPCA's totals are not measured the same way each year. It reported more than 351,000 items for 2023, more than 451,000 calls for 2024 and more than 376,000 items for 2025. Items and calls are different units, so we do not read these as a trend.
Fast food chains and drinks
Six of the 8 fast food pages are caution. McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, Chick-fil-A, Subway and Pizza Hut all come down to salt, grease and seasoning. Some have one reasonable option, such as plain deli turkey at Subway or the fruit cup at Chick-fil-A.
The Starbucks Puppuccino is the only safe chain item. It is a small cup of plain whipped cream with no coffee in it. Dogs with lactose trouble or pancreatitis history should skip it.
Drinks split on caffeine. Red Bull, Monster and hot chocolate are unsafe. Coca-Cola is caution leaning unsafe, since a can holds less caffeine than an energy drink. Gatorade and Capri Sun are caution for sugar and salt, and apple cider for the alcohol in hard and mulled versions.
| Item | Type | Verdict | Main hazard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Cider | Drinks | Caution | Alcohol or raw dough |
| Capri Sun | Drinks | Caution | Sugar only |
| Coca-Cola | Drinks | Caution | Caffeine |
| Gatorade | Drinks | Caution | Sugar only |
| Hot Chocolate | Drinks | Unsafe | Chocolate (theobromine) |
| Monster Energy | Drinks | Unsafe | Caffeine |
| Red Bull | Drinks | Unsafe | Caffeine |
| Chick-fil-A | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt |
| KFC | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt |
| McDonald's | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt |
| Pizza Hut | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt |
| Starbucks Puppuccino | Fast food chains | Safe | Low risk in plain form |
| Subway | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt |
| Taco Bell | Fast food chains | Unsafe | Onion and garlic |
| Wendy's | Fast food chains | Caution | Fat and salt |
- Unsafe drinks: Red Bull, Monster Energy, hot chocolate (caffeine or theobromine).
- Caution drinks: Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Capri Sun, apple cider (sugar, sodium, or alcohol in hard and mulled cider).
- Unsafe chain: Taco Bell (onion and garlic across the menu).
- Safe chain item: Starbucks Puppuccino, in small amounts.
What to do if your dog eats something on this list
Call your vet or a pet poison line straight away, before symptoms start. Have the product, the amount and your dog's weight ready. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Two US poison lines run around the clock. ASPCA Animal Poison Control is at (888) 426-4435 and says a consultation fee may apply. Pet Poison Helpline is at (855) 764-7661 and charges $89 per incident.
Our verdicts are general guidance for healthy adult dogs. Puppies, small breeds and dogs with pancreatitis, diabetes, heart or kidney disease need a stricter line. Ask your vet about your own dog.
| Service | Phone | Hours | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center | (888) 426-4435 | 24/7, 365 days | Consultation fee may apply (amount not listed) |
| Pet Poison Helpline | (855) 764-7661 | 24/7 | $89 per incident |
For the calendar view of these risks, see our holiday food dangers report. Chocolate, raisins and xylitol cluster around a handful of dates each year.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of common American foods are unsafe for dogs?
In our database of 66 American foods, 21 are rated unsafe (31.8%). Another 42 (63.6%) need caution and only 3 (4.5%) are safe. The list focuses on candy, fast food, drinks and holiday dishes, so it skews riskier than a general diet.
Which candy is most dangerous for dogs?
Chocolate candy. All 5 chocolate bars we rate are unsafe: Hershey's, M&Ms, Reese's, Snickers and Twix. Dark and baking chocolate are more dangerous than milk chocolate. Jelly beans are also unsafe because some contain xylitol or caffeine.
Can dogs eat fast food?
Mostly no, and never as a habit. 6 of the 8 chains we rate are caution for salt, grease and seasoning. Taco Bell is unsafe because of onion and garlic. A Starbucks Puppuccino is the only item rated safe, in small amounts.
Are energy drinks and soda dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Red Bull and Monster are unsafe because of caffeine, and hot chocolate is unsafe because of cocoa. Coca-Cola is caution leaning unsafe. Diet drinks need a label check for xylitol.
What are the most common pet poisons in the US?
In 2025 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center ranked over-the-counter medications first (16.9% of exposures). Food and drink came second (16.4%) and chocolate fourth (13.6%). The ASPCA counted calls about more than 376,000 items that year.
Is xylitol poisoning in dogs increasing?
Pet Poison Helpline reported a 108% rise in xylitol calls from 2015 to 2020. It says cases were still nearly 75% higher in 2025 than in 2020. Xylitol was its fourth most common dog poisoning call in 2024 and 2025.
Which foods on the list are safe for dogs?
Three: plain dinner rolls, plain roasted chestnuts with the shell removed, and a Starbucks Puppuccino. Each is safe only in plain form and small amounts. Raw dinner roll dough is dangerous.
What should I do if my dog eats chocolate or xylitol?
Call your vet or a poison line at once, even if your dog seems fine. ASPCA Animal Poison Control is at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Have the product, amount and your dog's weight ready.
Methodology and limitations
We took all 66 pages in the dogeats.in US food section as published in October 2026. Each page carries one verdict: safe, caution or unsafe. Verdicts are built by the dogeats.in editorial team from veterinary sources including the ASPCA, AKC, Merck Veterinary Manual and VCA.
We assigned each food one type: candy and chocolate, fast food chains, drinks, holiday dishes, or snacks and cookout food. Eggnog counts as a holiday dish, and hot chocolate and apple cider as drinks. A candy counts as a brand when the page is about a named product.
For hazards, we read each page's quick answer, risk table and ingredient table. A hazard counts as named when the page says it applies to the food or a common version of it. Mentions that rule a hazard out, such as 'no caffeine', do not count. The main hazard is the one the quick answer leads with.
Poison-control figures come from ASPCA Top 10 Toxins releases for 2023, 2024 and 2025 and from Pet Poison Helpline material. We quote them as published. Our only derived figure is the roughly 113,000 food-related exposures, which we label as an estimate.
Sources
- ASPCA: The Top 10 Toxins of 2025 (March 15, 2026), 2025 exposure shares by category; more than 376,000 items; foods named in the food and drink group
- Pet Poison Helpline: Xylitol pet poisoning cases more than doubled over five years, 108% rise in xylitol calls 2015 to 2020; 47.2% rise in 2019; second only to chocolate in 2020
- ASPCA: The Official Top 10 Toxins of 2024 (March 13, 2025), 2024 exposure shares; more than 451,000 calls
- Also consulted: ASPCA: The Official Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2023 (March 21, 2024), American Kennel Club: Dangers of xylitol (updated April 23, 2026), ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline, Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals, dogeats.in US food pages, reviewed September 2026.
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