Human Foods Toxic to Dogs—From A to Z

When you say, “I really shouldn’t eat that,” what you mean is it’s probably not the healthiest choice. Well, there are a lot of foods (and drinks) that may not be good for you but are downright deadly to your dog. Here’s a list of common grub that you should never bring home in a doggie bag. 

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What foods can dogs not eat?

Foods on this list can be very dangerous to your dog, so definitely don’t offer them any. If they get some on their own, consult your vet.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages (and foods cooked with them) can pose serious health risks for dogs. Alcohol poisoning can lead to drops in blood pressure, blood sugar, and body temperature. In severe cases, it can even cause seizures or respiratory failure. 

Avocado

Sorry, pup, no avo toast for you. Avocados contain a toxin called persin in the flesh and skin, and, if swallowed, avocado pits can cause intestinal blockage.

Caffeine

Caffeinated drinks can cause hyperactivity in humans and animals. But in dogs, it can also induce vomiting and tremors, elevate the heart rate, and, in severe cases, lead to seizures or death. Your dog doesn’t have to slurp your coffee to be affected; caffeine pills are another major source of caffeine poisoning.

Chocolate 

Chocolate contains toxins, including caffeine and theobromine, that can cause pretty much all of the above. Of note: the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to dogs. Don’t think that a candy wrapper will stop a dog from eating chocolate – most dogs will devour a candy bar wrapper and all.

Cooked bones

We’ll leave the raw bones conversation between you and your vet, but cooked bones are a no-no. Cooking makes bones more brittle, which can cause them to splinter and then cut or pierce the digestive tract.

Dairy products

Most adult dogs are actually lactose intolerant allowing that milk or ice cream treat to create a digestive bomb. Different dairy products contain different amounts of lactose, so not all will cause problems, but the extra calories in any dairy product just aren’t necessary and are best avoided.

Dough

Feel free to share bits of bread with your dog, but keep unbaked yeast dough well out of their reach. It can expand in a dog’s stomach and cause an emergency called bloat. To add insult to injury, when the yeast from the dough starts to ferment, alcohol is released into the bloodstream and can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Fried and fatty foods

Yes, you love them, but they don’t love you or your dog, either. Foods containing a lot of fat not only pack inches on your dog’s waist but can also lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and a potentially serious illness called pancreatitis.

Garlic and onions

Garlic, onions, chives, and leeks are vegetables of the allium family — all of which have the potential to be dangerous to dogs. Certain breeds, such as Shiba Inus and Akitas, are particularly susceptible to the toxins found in them. If you’ve done your research, you may be confused because many dog foods contain garlic. The small amounts typically aren’t a problem, but in large enough doses, garlic can cause intestinal upset or anemia, so all in moderation.

Grapes and raisins

Even a few grapes, raisins, or currants can cause severe kidney failure in dogs, depending on the type and ripeness as well as the size of your dog.  Take care not to let one roll off your charcuterie board.

Hops

As the popularity of homebrewing has increased, so too has the occurrence of hops poisoning in dogs. Malignant hyperthermia, vomiting, abnormal clotting, coma, and death are all very real risks. Greyhounds, retrievers, Saint Bernards, pointers, Doberman Pinschers, Border Collies, and English Springer Spaniels seem to be more sensitive than other breeds to hops.

Macadamia nuts

A healthy fat for humans, macadamia nuts can cause pancreatitis, hyperthermia, depression, vomiting, joint stiffness, and lethargy in your pup.

Nutmeg and cinnamon

Though no fall baking or cooking would be complete without them, nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin, which can cause digestive issues in dogs, as well seizures and disorientation in higher amounts, and cinnamon is not great in large quantities for your dog either.

Rhubarb

Though the tart taste and rigid texture are usually enough to keep dogs away, some don’t mind and will actually eat rhubarb. Unfortunately, rhubarb contains oxalic acid crystals, which can be very irritating to the digestive tract and even lead to kidney failure.

Snacks: sweet, spicy or salty

Chips, crackers, and candies just don’t have a place in your dog’s food bowl. Will they love them? Yes, but they all contain extra calories and seasonings that could be dangerous. If you’re looking for a doggy snack, there are many fruits and vegetables that are safe and healthy.

Stone fruits

The fruit itself isn’t the problem; it’s the pit that contains cyanide, and that can potentially create intestinal blockages, so rethink the fruit bowl centerpiece if you’ve got a counter-surfer.

Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners

Xylitol is a sweetener that can be found in almost anything that’s sugar-free from gum to soda to some brands of peanut butter. It also happens to be highly toxic to dogs, causing a swift drop in blood sugar and acute liver failure. PB can be a great treat for your pup, so remember to always read the label.

What to do if your dog has eaten a toxic food

The sooner you can deal with toxic food, the better. So, recognizing the signs that your dog ate potentially toxic food and consulting a vet is the best way to go.

Signs of poisoning in dogs

Different human foods can cause different problems in dogs, ranging from drooling and vomiting to red blood cell destruction, which means that signs can vary as well. But in general, keep your eyes open for:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Not eating

• Drooling

• Lethargy

• Tremors

• Incoordination

• Seizures

• Increased drinking/peeing

• Pale gums

• Crying/whining

• Restlessness

When to take your dog to the vet for eating toxic food

Any of the above signs are abnormal and should raise a red flag, but sometimes they are milder than others. So, one episode of vomiting or one yucky poop may not require immediate veterinary attention, but definitely seeing either one (or both) pop up repeatedly would warrant a vet visit. The sameame goes if your pup is just feeling down in the dumps for more than a day or two, not eating, and not wanting to play around as usual.

Muscle tremors, incoordination, or seizures are emergencies and should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. So should pale gums, weakness, or severe stomach pain.

Related article

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Foods that are dog-safe

Okay, enough with the no’s and onto the yeah’s. If your dog (or you) is determined to make human foods a special part of their diet, here are some safe options. Please keep in mind that even though these foods may not be toxic, they still might not be right for your pup, so speak to your veterinarian first.

• Apples: Wash thoroughly and remove seeds and core. Cut into bite-sized chunks.

• Bananas: Remove peel.

• Blueberries: Wash thoroughly.

• Carrots: Wash thoroughly or consider peeling and cutting into bite-sized chunks.

• Cheese: It’s delicious and contains little or no lactose, but use cheese sparingly due to the fat content.

• Eggs: Cook them up without any extra seasonings, butter, or oils.

• Peanut butter: Natural versions only, no sugar-free options, and only in small amounts.

• Fish: Remove bones and skin, and cook without using seasonings or oils.

• Lean meats: Remove extra fat, and cook thoroughly without seasonings or oils.

Bottom line

While it may be fun to share your favorite foods with your dog, some foods just aren’t safe for them to eat. Knowing what foods those are (see the list above), as well as what to look for if you suspect your dog ate some, can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy. Don’t give your pup any human food without first running it by a veterinarian.

FAQs

What foods are dogs not allowed?

In general, you don’t want to feed your dog any human food without talking to a veterinarian first. Toxic common human foods to all dogs include chocolate, alcohol, grapes, onions, and caffeine.

What three meats should dogs avoid?

Lean, cooked meats can make a healthy and tasty treat for your pup, but you’ll want to avoid processed meats, such as hot dogs, sausages, bologna, salami, or pepperoni. You’ll also want to avoid raw meat and fatty meats.

What fruits can dogs not eat?

Grapes, raisins, avocados, and green tomatoes are toxic to dogs. Ripe tomatoes and citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, aren’t considered toxic, but their high acidity can cause an upset stomach. Fruits are high in sugar, so you’ll want to give the safe ones in moderation.