As a dog owner, you want to keep your furry friend safe and healthy. While it might be tempting to share your meals with those pleading puppy eyes, many common human foods can be dangerous or even fatal to dogs. Understanding which foods pose risks can help you prevent accidental poisoning and keep your canine companion thriving.
Here are 20 foods you should never feed your dog, along with why they’re dangerous and what symptoms to watch for.
1. Chocolate
Why it’s dangerous: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain higher concentrations than milk chocolate, making them even more dangerous.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
2. Grapes and Raisins
Why it’s dangerous: Even small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. The exact toxic substance hasn’t been identified, but the effects can be devastating.
Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, decreased urination, and kidney failure within 24-72 hours.
3. Onions
Why it’s dangerous: Onions contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates, which damage red blood cells and cause anemia. This applies to all forms including raw, cooked, powdered, and dehydrated onions.
Symptoms: Weakness, lethargy, decreased appetite, pale gums, orange to dark red urine, and collapse.
4. Garlic
Why it’s dangerous: Like onions, garlic belongs to the Allium family and contains similar toxic compounds. Garlic is actually more concentrated than onions, making it about five times more potent.
Symptoms: Similar to onion toxicity including gastrointestinal upset, anemia, weakness, and elevated heart rate.
5. Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)
Why it’s dangerous: This sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, and some peanut butters causes a rapid insulin release, leading to severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It can also cause liver failure.
Symptoms: Vomiting, weakness, loss of coordination, seizures, tremors, and collapse within 30 minutes to an hour of ingestion.
6. Macadamia Nuts
Why it’s dangerous: These nuts contain an unknown toxin that affects dogs’ muscles and nervous systems.
Symptoms: Weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, hyperthermia, difficulty walking (especially in hind legs), and lethargy. Symptoms usually appear within 12 hours.
7. Avocado
Why it’s dangerous: Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. The pit also poses a choking hazard.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, and in cases where the pit is swallowed, potential intestinal blockage.
8. Alcohol
Why it’s dangerous: Dogs are far more sensitive to alcohol than humans. Even small amounts can cause intoxication, and it can lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature.
Symptoms: Vomiting, disorientation, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma, and death.
9. Coffee and Caffeine
Why it’s dangerous: Like chocolate, coffee and caffeinated products contain methylxanthines, which are toxic to dogs and can affect their hearts and nervous systems.
Symptoms: Restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, vomiting, and seizures.
10. Raw Yeast Dough
Why it’s dangerous: Raw dough can expand in your dog’s stomach, causing bloating and potentially dangerous gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV). Additionally, the fermentation process produces alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning.
Symptoms: Bloated abdomen, vomiting, disorientation, depression, weakness, and signs of alcohol toxicity.
11. Cooked Bones
Why it’s dangerous: While raw bones are sometimes given to dogs under supervision, cooked bones become brittle and can splinter, causing choking, intestinal blockages, or tears in the digestive system.
Symptoms: Choking, drooling, vomiting, constipation, bloody stools, lethargy, and abdominal pain.
12. Apple Seeds (and Other Fruit Pits)
Why it’s dangerous: Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and apricot pits contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide when digested. While a few seeds likely won’t cause harm, accumulation can be dangerous.
Symptoms: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, bright red gums, and shock.
13. Nutmeg
Why it’s dangerous: Nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound that can cause hallucinations and other neurological effects in dogs.
Symptoms: Tremors, seizures, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and abdominal pain.
14. Salt
Why it’s dangerous: Excessive salt intake can lead to sodium ion poisoning. Salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn should be avoided.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
15. Raw or Undercooked Meat and Eggs
Why it’s dangerous: Raw meat and eggs can contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which can make dogs sick. Raw eggs also contain avidin, which interferes with biotin absorption.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and fever from bacterial infections.
16. Fatty Foods and Trimmings
Why it’s dangerous: High-fat foods can cause pancreatitis, a serious and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. This includes bacon, fatty meat trimmings, and fried foods.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever.
17. Chives and Leeks
Why it’s dangerous: Like onions and garlic, these members of the Allium family are toxic to dogs and can cause red blood cell damage and anemia.
Symptoms: Weakness, lethargy, pale gums, orange-red urine, and collapse.
18. Moldy or Spoiled Foods
Why it’s dangerous: Moldy foods can contain mycotoxins, particularly tremorgenic mycotoxins, which affect the nervous system. The most dangerous molds are often found on dairy products, nuts, and pasta.
Symptoms: Vomiting, agitation, tremors, seizures, hyperthermia, and panting.
19. Cherry and Apricot Stems, Leaves, and Seeds
Why it’s dangerous: These contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide during digestion.
Symptoms: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, red gums, and respiratory failure.
20. Rhubarb Leaves
Why it’s dangerous: Rhubarb leaves contain oxalates, which can cause kidney damage and other serious health issues.
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, and bloody urine.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
If you suspect your dog has consumed any of these toxic foods, take immediate action:
- Stay calm – Panicking won’t help your pet
- Remove access – Take away any remaining toxic food
- Don’t induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian, as this can sometimes cause more harm
- Call your veterinarian immediately or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435
- Provide information – Be ready to tell them what your dog ate, how much, and when
- Follow instructions – Your vet may want you to bring your dog in immediately or monitor for specific symptoms
Prevention Tips
- Keep toxic foods out of reach and in secure cabinets
- Educate family members and guests about what not to feed your dog
- Be vigilant during holidays when toxic foods like chocolate and rich meals are more prevalent
- Secure trash cans so your dog can’t scavenge
- Read ingredient labels on treats and peanut butter to check for xylitol
- Consider baby gates to keep dogs out of the kitchen during meal preparation
Safe Treat Alternatives
Instead of sharing your potentially harmful human foods, stick to dog-safe options like:
- Plain cooked chicken or turkey (no bones, skin, or seasoning)
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Plain pumpkin
- Blueberries
- Bananas (in moderation)
- Apples (without seeds)
- Plain rice
- Sweet potatoes
Final Thoughts
Your dog depends on you to keep them safe. While those puppy dog eyes can be hard to resist, remember that many human foods that seem harmless can actually be dangerous or deadly to your canine companion. When in doubt, stick to foods specifically made for dogs, and always consult your veterinarian if you’re unsure whether something is safe.
By being aware of these 20 toxic foods and taking preventive measures, you can help ensure your furry friend stays healthy, happy, and safe for years to come. A moment of caution can prevent a lifetime of regret.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your veterinarian about your dog’s specific dietary needs and if you suspect poisoning.
