Can Dogs Eat Cheese, Peanut Butter, Eggs and Chicken? A Groomer's Guide to Safe Proteins and Treats

Good news for anyone with a food-motivated dog: cheese, peanut butter, eggs and chicken are all safe for most healthy dogs, as long as you keep them plain and treat them as occasional extras rather than everyday meals. There are a couple of genuinely important catches though, and one of them (xylitol in peanut butter) can be a matter of life and death, so it's worth two minutes of reading before you reach for the fridge.

I hear about these four all the time from owners here at the salon in York, usually because they make brilliant training rewards or a handy way to hide a tablet. Here's exactly how I'd approach each one, and where the lines are.

Cheese: yes, in moderation

Most dogs adore cheese, and a small piece now and then is fine for the majority of them. It works especially well as a high-value training treat because it's so tempting.

A few sensible rules:

• Keep portions tiny. Cheese is high in fat and salt, so a little goes a long way, particularly for small dogs.
• Choose low-fat, low-salt options. Plain cottage cheese or a small cube of mild cheddar beats anything strong, salty or processed.
• Skip the risky ones. Avoid blue cheeses (some contain a substance that can make dogs ill) and anything flavoured with onion or garlic.
• Mind the lactose. Some dogs are sensitive to dairy and get an upset tummy from it, so start with a nibble and see how they go.

If your dog is prone to weight gain, pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach, cheese is one to be extra careful with, or to skip entirely.

Peanut butter: yes, but check the label first

Peanut butter is a firm favourite for stuffing into a toy or licking off a spoon, and plain peanut butter is fine for dogs. But there is one non-negotiable rule.

> Vet note: Never give any peanut butter that contains xylitol (sometimes labelled as birch sugar). This artificial sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs even in small amounts and can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver failure. It's in the same league as other everyday foods that are dangerous to dogs, like grapes and raisins. Always read the ingredients list before sharing, and keep xylitol products well out of reach. If you think your dog has eaten any, contact your vet straight away.

Beyond that, choose a plain, unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter, and keep the amount small because it's calorie-dense and high in fat.

Eggs: yes, cooked not raw

Eggs are a lovely source of protein and most dogs love them. The key is to cook them.

• Serve them cooked, plain, with no oil, butter, salt or seasoning. Scrambled (dry) or hard-boiled both work well.
• Avoid raw egg. Raw egg carries a small risk of bacteria like salmonella, and raw egg white can interfere with a vitamin over time, so cooked is the safer choice.
• Keep it occasional. A little cooked egg as a treat is plenty; it isn't a meal replacement.

Chicken: yes, plain and cooked

Plain cooked chicken is one of the safest, most useful treats going, and it's often what vets suggest for a dog recovering from an upset tummy.

• Cook it thoroughly and let it cool.
• Keep it plain: no skin, no bones, no oil, and absolutely no seasoning, garlic or onion.
• Never give cooked bones. They can splinter and cause serious internal damage or blockages.
• Remove the skin, which is fatty and can upset digestion.

Torn into small pieces, plain chicken makes a fantastic reward and travels well for training out and about.

Keep treats to the 10% rule

Whichever of these you're using, the same principle applies: treats, including these four, should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. The rest should come from their proper, balanced food. This keeps weight, teeth and tummies happy. Introduce anything new in a small amount and watch for loose stools before making it a regular thing. If you're building a treat list, our guide to safe vegetables like carrots and cucumber is a good companion read, and for a wider overview of everyday foods, the PDSA's guidance on your dog's diet is sensible.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat cheese every day? It's best not to. Cheese is high in fat and salt, so keep it as an occasional treat in small amounts. Choose low-fat, low-salt options, and skip it altogether if your dog is overweight or has a sensitive tummy.

Which peanut butter is safe for dogs? A plain, unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter with no xylitol (also called birch sugar). Always check the label first, as xylitol is toxic to dogs. Keep servings small because peanut butter is high in fat.

Can dogs eat raw eggs? Cooked is safer. Raw egg carries a small risk of bacteria, and raw egg white can interfere with a vitamin over time. Serve eggs plain and cooked, with no oil, butter or seasoning.

Can dogs eat chicken bones? No. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or serious internal injury, and this includes bones from your leftovers. Stick to plain, boneless, skinless cooked chicken.

This is general guidance from a groomer, not veterinary advice. If your dog has a health condition, is overweight or is on a special diet, check with your own vet before adding new treats.

Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. A healthy diet shows in a shiny, well-conditioned coat, and we see the difference on the table. Book their next groom.