Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Every pet owner should have this list of toxic foods that are harmful to dogs

Mary Johnson
By

You share a lot with your dog — playtime bonding sessions at the park, cuddle time on the sofa, and more — so it’s only natural to want to share a snack or two. While some people food is perfectly safe for your pup, there are also numerous human foods that are toxic to dogs you should know about.

We’ll provide a list of toxic food for dogs, so you’ll always have a quick reference guide on hand before you share a treat with your pup. (You may want to print out the list and hang it on your refrigerator to make sure everyone in the family sees it.) Here are foods you should never feed your dog.

A black and white dog licks pink ice cream from a cone.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

1. Alcohol

Dogs who ingest alcohol may suffer from moderate symptoms of intoxication, such as slight disorientation and depression, but alcohol can also cause severe diarrhea, seizures, shaking, and vomiting. Alcohol poisoning affects dogs within as little as 30 minutes after consumption, so take care not to leave alcoholic drinks unattended and clean up any spills right away. 

Recommended Videos

2. Avocado

Avocado toast may be your go-to breakfast, but you’ll want to resist the urge to share it with your pup. Avocado leaves, skins, and pits contain a toxic substance called persin, which can be fatal if ingested. The flesh of avocados also contains trace amounts of persin, but because it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart damage, it’s not worth the risk. Lastly, avocado is a high-fat food, which can cause weight gain, digestive issues, and even pancreatitis. 

3. Candy, specifically chocolate and candies containing xylitol

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Theobromine and caffeine are part of a chemical group known as methylxanthines, which can lead to tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, increased heart rate, and potentially even death if ingested in large quantities. Xylitol, on the other hand, causes dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and possibly even death. 

4. Coffee, tea, and caffeine pills

You may love a cup of hot coffee in the morning, but your morning joe is incredibly dangerous to your pup. Caffeine causes vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmia, which can be fatal if left untreated. Keep your dog away from tea, too, and caffeine pills should never be stored where your dog can access them.  

5. Garlic and onions

Garlic and onions, two of our favorite ingredients for flavorful meals, contain thiosulfate, a compound that’s toxic to dogs. If he eats enough of them, thiosulfate toxicity can damage your dog’s red blood cells, causing a dangerous condition known as hemolytic anemia. 

A Dalmatian investigates a fruit platter.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

6. Grapes and raisins

No one is entirely certain why grapes and raisins are so dangerous for dogs, but they should be avoided at all costs. Dogs may exhibit symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, and difficulty urinating. If left untreated, your pup may suffer kidney failure. 

7. Gum

If you keep chewing gum on hand to freshen your breath after a meal, make sure your dog can’t reach it. Not only do sugarless gums contain xylitol, which can be fatal if ingested, but eating large amounts of gum also can lead to dangerous intestinal blockages. You should take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect he’s eaten gum. 

8. Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts make a delicious, buttery snack for humans, but they’re actually dangerous for your dog. As with grapes and raisins, experts don’t know exactly what component found in macadamia nuts causes problems for dogs, but the problems can be serious. Your dog may suffer from vomiting, weakness, depression, ataxia (impaired movement), and hyperthermia from snacking on just a handful of macadamia nuts. 

9. Salty snacks

While small amounts of salt won’t harm your pooch, he may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if he eats enough of it. In severe cases, fluid retention, tremors, seizures, excessive thirst, and excessive urination have been reported. Salt poisoning can be fatal if your pup eats too much, so take him to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms. 

10. Yeast dough

Fully cooked bread is perfectly safe for your dog in moderation, but uncooked yeast dough may kill him. Uncooked dough continues to rise in your dog’s stomach, leading to uncomfortable distention that could cause bloat. Yeast dough also releases ethanol into your dog’s bloodstream, which can cause alcohol toxicosis. Contact your vet immediately if your dog eats raw dough. 

A man feeds his Akita bites of a croissant.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Keep your pup safe

While some of the foods on this list cause mild symptoms, others can have potentially fatal consequences. Puppy-proof your home by keeping food, medications, and toxic plants out of reach. Make sure you give your dog human foods that are safe for him to eat. When in doubt, stick to healthy dog treats instead of sharing your meals with your pup. Most importantly, contact your vet if you think your dog has eaten something toxic.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Why won’t my dog bark? Here’s when pet parents should be concerned
Can't figure out why your dog won't bark or if it's a problem? Here's what we dug up
A Dalmatian howls outdoors

A dog that doesn’t bark often, or at all, seems like a dream come true to pet parents (and their neighbors). In reality, a quiet dog can be cause for concern, especially if a previously noisy pup suddenly becomes quiet. If you have a quiet pet, you might wonder, why won't my dog bark?
Look no further. In this article, we’ll give you the reasons why your dog may have stopped barking and what to do if you are concerned. Remember, even if your dog’s lack of sound isn’t from a serious health issue, you can’t go wrong with asking your trusted veterinarian for advice.

When do puppies start barking? What does it sound like at first?
According to Certified Canine Behavior Consultant Mikkel Becker, puppies begin vocalizing around 2 or 3 weeks of age. At this early stage, you’re more likely to hear whines and grunts. When your puppy reaches 2 to 4 months, these vocalizations will start to turn into barks, though each dog reaches milestones at their own pace. If you’re worried about your pup’s vocal development, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian to rule out any potential issues.

Read more
Is your old dog not eating? It probably has nothing to do with hunger
Older dog not eating? Common explanations and what you should do
Overhead shot of dog paws and a bowl of kibble

Your dog is not only your best friend, but also a member of your family. Sharing your life with an old dog is a joy and a privilege, and you've most likely been through a lot together through the years. Just like the bump in health issues, we see in human senior citizens, an increased risk of health problems is also common in senior dogs.

Older dogs frequently experience changes in their eating and sleeping patterns, such as sleeping more often or a decrease in appetite. If you have an old dog eating but not drinking water, or an old dog sleeping a lot and not eating, it's time to bring your senior pooch to the vet for a checkup. Here's what you need to know about an old dog not eating, from why it happens to what you can do about it.

Read more
How much should newborn puppies eat? Follow this newborn puppy feeding chart
Here's what you need to know about feeding newborn puppies, including a puppy feeding chart to make it easy
Bottle feeding a newborn puppy

Whenever possible, newborn puppies should eat their mother's nutrient-rich milk, which helps protect them from illness while their immune systems develop. It's the perfect food for them! However, it's not always possible for a mama dog to feed her litter all by herself.

Perhaps Mom doesn't produce enough milk, the milk is infected, or the puppies have unfortunately become orphaned. In these scenarios, pet parents have to step in to help feed the babies around the clock. To ensure your pups are getting adequate nutrition, it's important to follow a puppy feeding chart or guide from a trusted veterinary resource.

Read more