✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last reviewed: 2026-07
Can dogs eat biscuits?
The full picture
'Biscuits' covers a huge range of products — plain digestives, rich tea, and shortbread are non-toxic but nutritionally pointless and high in sugar. The dangerous ones are: chocolate biscuits (chocolate digestives, Hobnobs, bourbons), raisin biscuits (Garibaldi, fruit shortbread), nut biscuits (sometimes macadamia), and anything with xylitol (rare but check sugar-free ranges). A single plain digestive dropped on the floor isn't an emergency. A packet of chocolate digestives is. Always identify what type of biscuit before deciding the response.
If your dog ate more than a safe amount
If your dog has eaten plain digestive or rich tea biscuits, watch for digestive upset from the sugar and fat. If the biscuits contained chocolate, raisins, or xylitol, call your vet immediately.
Risks to watch for
- Chocolate varieties are toxic
- Raisin varieties are toxic
- Xylitol in some sugar-free ranges
- Empty calories, weight gain
Safe portion size
Not recommended. If sharing, a small plain biscuit (digestive, rich tea) occasionally.
Safer alternatives
- Dog biscuits from pet shops
- Plain cooked chicken
Want to check the E-numbers and additives in this food? Our food ingredient checker covers allergens, vegan status, and clean-label information.
And while you're thinking about what's good for your dog, keeping on top of flea and parasite prevention is just as important as diet.
Common questions
Is biscuits safe for dogs?
How much biscuits can a dog eat?
What are the risks of biscuits for dogs?
What should I do if my dog eats too much biscuits?
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