Foods (and Drinks) That Are Toxic to Dogs

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 17
6 min read

If you are preparing to bring home a new dog, knowing what is safe for them to eat and what isn’t is crucial. Obviously, foods or treats made specifically for dogs are generally safe. But what about human food?

Many foods we eat may cause anything from mild digestive upset to severe illness or even death to our dogs, depending on the quantity consumed and the size of the dog.

Here’s a list of human foods and drinks that are toxic or potentially harmful to dogs, organized by category.

Disclaimer: This list may not be all-inclusive. If your dog eats anything you are unsure about, call your veterinarian to make sure medical intervention isn't necessary.

Summary: The Most Dangerous People Foods for Dogs

Before we dive more in-depth into all the toxic food for dogs, we want to quickly highlight the ones that are the most dangerous. If there’s any section of this article you pay attention to, it should be this one.

NEVER give your dog the following:

Food	Risk
Alcohol	Toxic at even low doses
Chocolate	Neurological, cardiac issues
Cooked Bones	Internal Injury
Grapes/Raisins	Kidney failure
Macadamia Nuts	Muscle and nerve issues
Onions/Garlic	Anemia
Raw Dough	Bloat and alcohol poisoning
Xylitol	Rapid liver failure, death

Sweets, Baking, and Snacks

Nothing beats a sweet treat or a yummy snack. However, sharing your favorite food guilty pleasures with your dog might make them sick or worse.

Don’t give your dog:

Caffeine: Ingesting caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate) can result in hyperactivity, seizures, and rapid heart rate.
Candy and gum: These goodies often contain xylitol, which can cause hypoglycemia, seizures, and liver failure.
Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and low blood pressure.
Macadamia nuts: These may cause weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Xylitol: Found in sugar-free gum, candy, peanut butter, and baked goods, this can cause insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia, seizures, and liver failure.
Yeast dough: This can expand in your dog’s stomach, potentially causing bloat and ethanol poisoning.

Meats and Proteins

You may think you are spoiling your dog with a meaty treat they will love, but certain proteins are dangerous for them to eat. Avoid giving your dog:

Cooked bones: Dogs love bones, but cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injury or blockages.
Fat trimmings: While your dog will find these yummy, fat trimmings may cause pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening.
Ham or highly processed meats: Another one your dog will love, but the high fat and salt content in these products can cause pancreatitis or sodium poisoning.
Liver: A tiny bit might be ok, but in large amounts, liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity over time.
Raw eggs – These carry the risk of salmonella or E. coli.
Raw meat or fish: Your dog will LOVE these, but they carry the risk of salmonella, listeria, or parasites if they are contaminated or improperly handled.

Vegetables, Herbs, and Legumes

Veggies may be good for humans, but they aren’t always good for dogs. Don’t let your dog try:

Chives and leeks: These cause anemia in dogs.
Garlic: Garlic can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs. Keep dogs away from garlic and garlic powder.
Onions: Onions in any form can damage your dog’s red blood cells and cause anemia.
Raw legumes: These contain lectins that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Raw potatoes: Unless you want your dog to be nauseous and potentially have neurological symptoms, steer clear of these (especially green or sprouted versions).
Rhubarb: This can cause your dog to have kidney failure or tremors.
Tomatoes: Keep your dog from eating tomatoes because they contain solanine, which can cause GI upset, drowsiness, and even seizures.
Wild mushrooms: Some are highly toxic and cause neurological or liver damage. Also, watch out for (and immediately clear) mushrooms growing in your yard.

Learn More: Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs

Fruits

You may think fruits are safe to share with your dog, but that’s not always the case. Don’t give your dog:

Apple seeds: While you can give your dogs apples, make sure you don’t give them any pieces with seeds since the seeds contain cyanide, which can be fatal to dogs.
Apricots: The stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs.
Avocado: This one may surprise people, but avocado contains persin, which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even heart issues. Keep your dog away from the flesh and pit. Plus, the pit is a choking hazard.
Cherries: Cherries, including the pits, leaves, and stems, contain cyanide, which can be fatal in large quantities.
Citrus fruits: These fruits can cause vomiting and photosensitivity.
Currants: These have been linked to acute kidney failure in dogs.
Grapes and raisins: Even small amounts of grapes or raisins are dangerous and can cause kidney failure or even death.
Wild berries: Not all are poisonous, but some can be.

Spices, Oils, and Condiments

These items can take your meals to the next level, but you’ll want to skip sharing with your dog if you use:

Baking powder and baking soda: These are dangerous in large amounts because they can cause muscle spasms and heart failure.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon, especially oils or powders in large amounts, may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood sugar.
Mustard and mustard seeds: Anything mustard-related can cause GI irritation and vomiting.
Nutmeg: This contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, high heart rate, and seizures. In high enough doses, it may even be fatal.
Salt: In high amounts, salt can cause seizures and dehydration.

Dairy Products

You may love getting your dog a pup cup at Starbucks or sharing your vanilla ice cream cone with them. However, there are some dairy products you should exercise caution with, including:

Blue cheese: Blue cheese specifically contains roquefortine C, which is toxic to dogs and may cause seizures.
Milk, cheese, and ice cream: Some dogs handle dairy just fine. However, others are lactose intolerant and may experience gas, diarrhea, and vomiting after eating anything dairy.

Breads and Grains

Some breads and grains are safe for dogs, while others are not. Do not give your dog:

High-sugar cereals and baked goods: These often contain xylitol, raisins, chocolate, or harmful fats that can be extremely dangerous to your dog.
Unbaked bread dough: This can rise in the stomach and produce alcohol, leading to bloat or ethanol poisoning.

Alcohol and Other Items

Rounding out our list includes alcohol and a couple of other items:

Alcohol: Any type of alcohol (including beer, wine, liquor, or fermented dough) is dangerous for dogs, even in small amounts. It may cause vomiting, coma, or even death.
Coffee – Coffee generally contains caffeine, which can cause hyperactivity, seizures, and rapid heart rate in dogs.
Marijuana/Cannabis: No matter what form it’s in, it can cause your dog to become uncoordinated, incontinent, hyperactive, or even sleepy. They could also have tremors, seizures, or go into a coma.
Sodas and sugary drinks: Whether it’s the carbonation that causes gas, the sugar that can lead to obesity, or the potential inclusion of xylitol, just don’t let your dog drink your soda or any sugary drinks.
Spoiled or moldy food: You wouldn’t eat spoiled food, and your dog shouldn’t either. Spoiled food contains toxins that can cause vomiting and even seizures in dogs.

What To Do if Your Dog Eats Something Toxic

If your dog eats something toxic, don’t panic, but move quickly. Time can be of the essence, depending on what they ate.

Immediately:

Identify what they ate.
Call your veterinarian immediately.
Contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (available 24/7 – fees may apply).
Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a professional.
Transport your dog to the closest veterinarian or emergency vet.

Learn More: How To Choose a Veterinarian

Final Thoughts

While you may think that sharing your food with your dog is a great way to improve your relationship, your good intentions may result in serious health issues for your dog.

If you really want to bond with your pup, gentle pets and playing fetch with them while only giving them food and treats specifically created specifically for dogs is the way to go.