Most Indian pets eat at least some of what the family eats, and plenty of dogs grow up on roti and milk. Some of it is fine, some is quietly unbalanced, and a few everyday ingredients are genuinely toxic. This guide goes through the Indian kitchen item by item, for dogs and for cats.
| Food | Dogs | Cats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain roti | Small amounts | Not useful | No ghee, butter or salt. A filler, not a meal. |
| Plain rice | Yes | Small amounts | Useful with boiled chicken for an upset stomach |
| Plain dal | Small amounts | Avoid | Only without tadka, onion or garlic |
| Curd (dahi) | Small amounts | Small amounts | Plain and unsweetened. Stop if it causes loose stools. |
| Milk | Often upsets the stomach | Often upsets the stomach | Many adult dogs and cats cannot digest lactose well |
| Ghee and butter | A tiny amount at most | Avoid | High fat can trigger pancreatitis |
| Paneer | Small amounts | Small amounts | Fatty; plain only |
| Boiled egg | Yes | Yes | Cooked, not raw |
| Boiled chicken or fish | Yes | Yes | Boneless, unseasoned |
| Curries and sabzi | No | No | Onion, garlic, chilli and oil |
| Onion and garlic | Toxic | Toxic | Including powders and tadka |
| Grapes and raisins (kishmish) | Toxic | Avoid | Can cause kidney failure in dogs |
| Chocolate | Toxic | Toxic | Dark chocolate is worst |
| Mithai | No | No | Sugar and fat; some contain raisins or sweeteners |
| Namkeen and chips | No | No | Salt, spices and oil |
| Tea and coffee | Toxic | Toxic | Caffeine |
| Cooked bones | No | No | They splinter and can pierce the gut |
Roti soaked in milk is probably the most common dog diet in India. It is not poisonous, but it is incomplete. It is mostly carbohydrate, low in the protein, fat and minerals dogs need, and the milk upsets many adult dogs' stomachs.
Dogs fed mainly on roti and milk commonly show a dull coat, weight problems and poor muscle. If home food is what you can manage, make protein the base: eggs, chicken or fish, with rice or roti as a smaller part, and ask your vet about a calcium and vitamin supplement. A complete commercial food is the simpler way to get the balance right.
Cats are obligate carnivores. They need nutrients found in meat, including taurine, and cannot stay healthy on a vegetarian or grain-based diet. Roti, dal and rice do not meet a cat's needs, and the onion and garlic in Indian cooking are more dangerous for cats than for dogs.
So, can cats eat Indian food? Plain boiled chicken or fish, yes. Home curries, dal and sabzi, no.
| Fruit | For dogs |
|---|---|
| Mango | A little flesh is fine. No seed, no skin. |
| Banana | Small pieces are fine |
| Papaya | A little ripe flesh, no seeds |
| Watermelon | Seedless flesh, no rind |
| Apple | Slices without seeds or core |
| Grapes and raisins | Never |
Fruit is a treat, not a food group. Keep it to a few small pieces.
Our guide to pet emergency warning signs covers what cannot wait until morning.
Yes, plain roti in small amounts, without ghee, butter or salt. It is a filler rather than a complete meal, so it should not be the main part of a dog's diet.
Yes. Plain cooked rice is safe for dogs and is often paired with boiled chicken for an upset stomach. Avoid fried rice, biryani and anything cooked with onion or garlic.
Mostly no. Home curries, dal and sabzi usually contain onion and garlic, which are toxic to cats, and cats need meat-based food. Plain boiled chicken or fish is fine as an occasional treat.
No. It is not poisonous, but it is mostly carbohydrate and lacks enough protein, fat and minerals, and milk upsets many adult dogs' stomachs. Build meals around eggs, chicken or fish, or use a complete dog food.
Onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, tea, coffee and sugar-free sweets that may contain xylitol. Spicy curries, mithai, namkeen and cooked bones should also be avoided.
Haan, saadi roti thodi maatra mein, bina ghee, makkhan ya namak ke. Lekin roti aur doodh akele poora khana nahi hai. Anda, chicken ya machli jaisa protein zaroori hai.
Pawspert stores your pet's vaccinations, prescriptions and visit history behind one QR code any vet can scan, and lets you book clinic, at-home or video consultations.
Get Pawspert free on Google Play