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Can dogs eat strawberries? Are lentils suitable? And what about certain herbs or spices?
Our Ingredient Traffic Light Guide helps you quickly find out whether an ingredient is suitable for your dog and under which conditions. Simply enter an ingredient in the search field or explore the complete list in alphabetical order.
If you suspect poisoning, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately – even if your dog is not showing any symptoms. Do not induce vomiting yourself.
Important information
What do the traffic light categories mean?
- 🟢 Green – Generally suitable: The ingredient is generally suitable, provided the recommendations on quantity and preparation are followed.
- 🟡 Yellow – Suitable with limitations: The ingredient should only be offered in small amounts or under certain conditions.
- 🔴 Red – Not recommended: The ingredient is not recommended as a precaution or because of potential health risks.
- 🔴 Red – Toxic: The ingredient may cause poisoning. Always follow the specific safety warnings.
- ⚪ Grey – Insufficient information: There is currently not enough reliable information to classify the ingredient with confidence. As a precaution, we recommend avoiding it.
Which dogs does this guide apply to?
The assessments apply to healthy adult dogs. Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, and dogs with medical conditions or special nutritional needs may have different requirements. In these cases, individual advice from a veterinary nutrition professional is recommended.
Allergies and intolerances
This guide does not account for individual food allergies or intolerances. Even ingredients that are generally considered suitable may cause adverse reactions in some dogs. Known allergies and intolerances must therefore always be taken into account.
Portion sizes and preparation
A green light does not mean that an ingredient can be offered without limits. Quantity, preparation and sometimes specific parts of a plant can make an important difference. Always read the instructions provided for each ingredient. This guide is intended as a reference and is not a plan for a complete, nutritionally balanced diet.
Canned ingredients and processed foods
Whenever possible, choose products without added salt, sugar or seasonings. For suitable ingredients from cans or jars, drain the liquid and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. This can help reduce the sodium content.
Always check the complete ingredient list of processed foods. Rinsing does not reliably remove toxic or unsuitable additives. Particular caution is needed with ingredients such as onions, garlic, raisins and xylitol (birch sugar). Even very small amounts of xylitol can be life-threatening to dogs.
Good to know
Our Ingredient Traffic Light Guide is not an exhaustive list. If an ingredient is not listed, this does not automatically mean that it is safe.
The information is based on carefully researched sources and the scientific knowledge currently available. Recommendations may change as new evidence emerges and do not replace individual veterinary advice.
Missing ingredients and new sources
Is an ingredient missing, or do you know of new findings? Please leave a comment – where possible, include a source for factual information. Comments are reviewed before publication. The Ingredient Guide is only updated after editorial review.
The comments are not a place for suspected poisoning or individual veterinary advice. If you suspect poisoning, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately.