The family table is not a dog bowl
It is natural to want to share food. It is also easy, in an Indian kitchen, to pass along ingredients that people handle every day and dogs should not eat. Some cause an upset stomach. A few are dangerous even in small amounts.
This list is a practical starting point, not a complete toxicology guide. If your dog has eaten something on the “never” list, call your vet or an emergency clinic and tell them what and how much, rather than waiting to see.
If you would rather not cook, PawSpace’s Bangalore meal page is Fresh dog food delivery in Bangalore. For the difference between a home bowl and a planned cooked meal, see Homemade vs fresh cooked dog food.
Never use these in a dog’s food
These are commonly found at home and should stay out of the bowl:
- Onion and garlic, in any form — raw, fried, powder, paste, tadka. They are a frequent addition to dal, gravies and fried rice, and they are not safe for dogs.
- Chives and large amounts of other alliums, for the same reason.
- Chocolate and cocoa.
- Grapes and raisins.
- Xylitol (in some sugar-free gums, mints and a few packaged foods). If you are unsure, do not share it.
- Alcohol.
- Cooked bones, which can splinter. (Any bone-feeding question belongs with your vet; do not improvise from leftover chicken bones.)
- Nutmeg and heavy masala mixes, and very spicy or heavily salted leftovers.
When you cook for the family, ladle the dog’s portion before you add tadka, salt, or masala.
Be careful with these
- Salt and pickles. A little salt in a planned recipe is different from papad, pickle, or restaurant gravy.
- Oil and ghee. A planned recipe may include a measured fat. Leftover fried food is not a meal.
- Milk and sweetened curd. Some dogs tolerate plain curd; many do not tolerate milk. Sweets are not a treat.
- Raw fish or raw meat leftovers, unless you are following a plan your vet has agreed to. This article is about cooked food.
- Corn on the cob and other objects that can be swallowed whole.
Rice, plain cooked chicken (no onion or garlic), and some plain vegetables are often used in home bowls — but a bowl made of only those foods is usually not complete. See the homemade comparison article, and Is rice good for dogs?.
Habits that prevent most mistakes
- Cook the dog’s food in a separate pan, or take a plain portion out first.
- Keep chocolate, raisins, chewing gum and medicine out of reach, not just off the plate.
- If several people feed the dog, write the rule on the fridge: no leftovers from the table.
- New recipes, even “healthy” ones from the internet, should be checked against a proper recipe or your vet, especially for puppies.
If you think your dog ate something unsafe
Stay calm, note what it was and roughly how much, and call your vet. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet has told you to. Bring the packet or a photo if you can.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat dal or roti?
Plain, unseasoned food is not the same as a complete diet. Dal or roti cooked with onion, garlic or masala should not be shared. Ask your vet before making either a regular part of the bowl.
Is a little garlic “good for ticks”?
Do not use garlic as a home remedy in a dog’s food. If you are worried about ticks, ask your vet about prevention that is meant for dogs.
Can I give my dog biryani or fried rice?
No. Those dishes almost always contain onion, garlic, salt, oil and spice.
What should I do after a stolen roti or a licked plate?
If it was a small amount of plain food, watch the dog and call your vet if they are unwell. If it contained onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes or xylitol, call your vet the same day.
