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Pet health in plain language, for U.S. dog and cat owners
Can my
eat
?
People ask about
Think your pet ate something toxic? Call your vet, an emergency clinic, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
Latest FDA pet recalls
Check your petâs food yourself:
Go to an emergency vet now if you see
Donât wait for a regular appointment or search for answers first. Call ahead on the way so the clinic can get ready.
- Trouble breathing, choking, or gums that look blue, gray or very pale
- Collapse, fainting, or a seizure that lasts more than a few minutes or repeats
- A swollen, hard belly with retching that brings nothing up (especially large dogs)
- A male cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine
- Ate something toxic: chocolate, grapes, xylitol, lilies (cats), human pain pills, antifreeze
- Bleeding that will not stop, a deep wound, or being hit by a car even if they seem fine
- Heatstroke signs: heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, stumbling
- Vomiting or diarrhea with blood, or repeated vomiting with lethargy
Ask a pet-health question
Describe whatâs going on with your dog or cat and get a plain-language answer in seconds. Use it to understand options and prepare for a vet visit.
- Answers come from an AI assistant trained on veterinary references, not from a veterinarian. It cannot examine, diagnose or prescribe.
- For poisoning, trouble breathing, collapse or heavy bleeding, skip the chat and call a vet or (888) 426-4435 now.
- Donât share your full name, address or payment details in the chat.
Try asking:
Find help by topic
Our most-read guides, grouped by the problem youâre trying to solve.
Paying for care
Free clinics, payment help and what to do when the bill is more than you have.
Spay, neuter and rehoming
Low-cost surgery, and kind options when you can no longer keep a pet.
Medicines and side effects
What common medicines do, what side effects to watch for, and what never to give.
Food and special diets
Feeding a sick dog, diets for kidney disease and pancreatitis, and brand reviews.
End of life
Comfort care at home, affordable euthanasia and cremation.
Foods and household items at a glance
The full list behind the checker above. âSmall amountsâ means a bite-sized treat, plain and unseasoned, not a meal.
| Food or item | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | Emergency | Emergency |
| Grapes and raisins | Emergency | Keep away |
| Xylitol (birch sugar) | Emergency | Keep away |
| Onions | Keep away | Keep away |
| Garlic | Keep away | Keep away |
| Macadamia nuts | Keep away | Keep away |
| Alcohol | Emergency | Emergency |
| Raw bread dough | Emergency | Emergency |
| Coffee, tea and energy drinks | Emergency | Emergency |
| Lilies (plant) | Small amounts | Emergency |
| Ibuprofen and naproxen | Emergency | Emergency |
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Emergency | Emergency |
| Nutmeg | Keep away | Keep away |
| Avocado | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Cooked bones | Keep away | Keep away |
| Corn on the cob | Keep away | Small amounts |
| Wild mushrooms | Emergency | Emergency |
| Salty snacks | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Fatty foods | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Cherries | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Tomatoes | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Walnuts and almonds | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Citrus fruit | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Tuna | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Raw fish | Keep away | Small amounts |
| Raw meat and raw pet food | Small amounts | Keep away |
| Milk | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Cheese | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Ice cream | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Peanut butter | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Plain yogurt | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Eggs | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Chicken | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Cooked salmon and fish | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Shrimp | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Rice | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Pumpkin | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Sweet potato | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Potatoes | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Carrots | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Green beans | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Cucumber | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Broccoli | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Apples | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Bananas | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Blueberries | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Strawberries | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Watermelon | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Popcorn | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Bread | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Coconut | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Honey | Small amounts | Small amounts |
| Dog food (for cats) | Generally safe | Small amounts |
| Cat food (for dogs) | Small amounts | Generally safe |
Based on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the Merck Veterinary Manual and Pet Poison Helpline. Every pet is different; ask your vet about allergies, diabetes, kidney disease or a history of pancreatitis.
Pet food, treat and animal-drug recalls
Pulled from FDAâs official recall notices every 30 minutes and kept here for 18 months. Check the lot numbers and dates on your bag or can against the FDA notice.
-
Pet
Wedgewood Pharmacy Issues Recall of Certain Compounded Veterinary Medications Within Expiry Due to Potential Potency Issues
SWEDESBORO, N.J., (October 21, 2026) - Wedgewood Pharmacy LLC ("Wedgewood") is recalling certain compounded veterinary medications within expiry at the provider/customer level due to inconsistencies in the reliability of certain analytical testing data generatâŚ
Source: FDA recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts. Last checked 14 minutes ago.
Bird flu (H5N1) and raw pet food
H5N1 bird flu has killed house cats in several states, and many cases were traced to raw pet food, raw milk or raw poultry. Cats are especially vulnerable.
The FDA now requires makers of cat and dog food to account for H5N1 in their food safety plans when they use raw poultry, raw meat or raw milk.
Cooking or pasteurizing kills the virus. If you feed raw, check every product against the recall list on this page and watch for fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or eye and breathing problems in cats.
How old is your pet in human years?
The âmultiply by sevenâ rule is a myth. Dogs age fastest in their first two years, and big dogs age faster than small ones.
Dogs: the epigenetic-clock formula from Wang et al., Cell Systems (2020), human age â 16 Ă ln(dog age) + 31. Cats: AAHA/AAFP life-stage guidelines. Size-based senior ages are a rough guide; ask your vet when to start senior checkups.
Most pets are carrying extra weight
Extra weight raises the risk of arthritis, diabetes and breathing problems, and in a 14-year study of Labrador retrievers, dogs kept lean lived almost two years longer than their littermates. Many owners of overweight pets believe their pet is a healthy weight.
Vets judge weight by body shape, not the scale. Run your hands along your petâs sides:
- Too thinRibs, spine and hip bones easy to see. No fat you can feel.
- IdealRibs easy to feel under a thin layer of fat. A clear waist from above and a tummy tuck from the side.
- OverweightRibs hard to feel. Waist barely visible. Fat over the back and base of the tail.
- ObeseRibs cannot be felt. No waist, belly hangs, fat deposits on the neck and limbs.
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Common questions
What should I do if my dog ate chocolate or grapes?
Call your vet, an emergency clinic or a pet poison line right away, even if your dog seems fine. Have the product package and your dogâs weight ready. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can I give my dog human pain medicine?
Not without your vetâs instruction. Ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen can cause ulcers, kidney failure or liver damage in dogs, and acetaminophen is deadly to cats. Your vet can prescribe pet-safe pain relief.
How do I find low-cost vet care near me?
Start with local animal shelters and humane societies, veterinary schools, and nonprofit clinics. Many offer vaccines, spay and neuter, and basic care on a sliding scale. Our guides to free and low-cost care list national programs and what to ask.
How often should my pet see a vet?
Most healthy adult dogs and cats need a checkup once a year. Puppies, kittens and senior pets usually need visits more often. Ask your vet what schedule fits your pet.
Is raw food safe for dogs and cats?
Raw diets carry a higher risk of Salmonella, Listeria and, for cats, H5N1 bird flu. Many vets advise against them, particularly for cats and for homes with young children, older adults or anyone with a weak immune system.
When is it too hot to walk my dog?
When it feels like 80°F or more, keep walks short and shaded. Above 90°F, walk only early or late. Flat-faced breeds, seniors and overweight dogs overheat faster. Test the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds.
Is the information on this site veterinary advice?
No. Our guides explain options and research so you can have a better conversation with your veterinarian. They do not replace an exam, a diagnosis or a prescription.
About Bestie Paws Hospital
Bestie Paws Hospital explains pet health and the cost of care in plain language, using published veterinary references, FDA and AVMA guidance, and peer-reviewed studies. We are an independent publisher, not a veterinary clinic, and no pet food or drug company pays for placement in our guides. The site is supported by labeled advertising.
This is not veterinary advice. Our guides help you understand options and ask better questions. Only a veterinarian who examines your pet can diagnose a problem or prescribe treatment, including medicine doses.
Written and fact-checked by the Bestie Paws Hospital editorial team. Page last reviewed October 26, 2026. Found a mistake? Tell us.