Key takeaways:
- Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (found in sugar-free items), and cooked bones can seriously harm or kill dogs.
- These foods can cause seizures, kidney failure, anemia, internal injuries, or liver failure—even in small amounts.
- Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, weakness, or collapse after suspected ingestion.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 immediately. Never induce vomiting unless directed.
- Feed safe treats (like carrots, chicken, apples), store toxic foods securely, and educate your household.
Think giving your dog a “harmless” treat off your plate is no big deal? Think again. Some of the most common foods in your kitchen can make your dog extremely sick—or worse.
This list of 20 toxic foods isn't just another internet roundup. It’s backed by trusted sources to help you protect your pup with confidence.
What Are The Signs of Food Poisoning in Dogs?
Before we get into the food list, watch out for these warning signs if your dog eats something suspicious:
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Vomiting or diarrhea
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Drooling
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Seizures or tremors
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Lethargy or collapse
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Increased heart rate
When in doubt, call your vet or a 24/7 pet poison hotline like the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Top 20 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most well-known canine toxins, but many dog owners underestimate how dangerous it really is. The darker the chocolate, the higher the theobromine content—just one ounce of baker’s chocolate can be life-threatening to a 20-pound dog. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, restlessness, and seizures.
What to do: Call your vet immediately; treatment often includes inducing vomiting and IV fluids.
2. Xylitol (in sugar-free products)
Used in sugar-free gum, mints, peanut butter, and baked goods, xylitol can cause a rapid insulin spike in dogs. Within 30 minutes, blood sugar can crash, causing weakness, collapse, or seizures. It’s also linked to liver failure.
Vet tip: Always check the label before sharing peanut butter or baked goods.
3. Grapes & Raisins
Even a few grapes or raisins can cause acute kidney failure in some dogs. There’s no clear threshold—some dogs get sick from just one, others don’t. That unpredictability makes them especially risky
Symptoms: vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain.
4. Onions & Garlic (all forms)
These allium vegetables damage dogs’ red blood cells and can lead to anemia over time. Powdered forms—like those in baby food or spice blends—are especially concentrated
Example: A leftover onion-ring can do real harm to a small dog.
5. Avocados
Avocados contain a substance called persin, which is mildly toxic to dogs and highly toxic to birds and some farm animals. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Tip: Don’t let your dog chew on avocado pits—they’re a choking hazard too.
6. Alcohol (including foods cooked with it)
Dogs can’t metabolize alcohol efficiently. Even small amounts can depress their central nervous system, causing vomiting, disorientation, or coma.
Reminder: Cooking doesn’t always remove all alcohol content.
7. Macadamia Nuts
Dogs affected by macadamia nut poisoning may experience tremors, hind-leg weakness, or even temporary paralysis. The exact toxic compound isn’t known, but the reaction is fast and serious.
Often hidden in: cookies, snack mixes, and nut butters.
8. Raw Dough (Yeast-based)
Unbaked yeast dough rises in the warm environment of a dog’s stomach, causing painful bloating and alcohol release.
This is a double danger: gastric torsion plus alcohol toxicity.
9. Cooked Bones
Contrary to popular belief, giving your dog leftover bones is a bad idea. Cooked bones splinter easily and can puncture the GI tract.
Safer alternative: freeze-dried raw bones or safe dental chews.
10. Caffeine
Coffee grounds, energy drinks, tea bags, and even chocolate-covered espresso beans can all be deadly. Dogs metabolize caffeine much more slowly than humans.
Signs of caffeine poisoning: hyperactivity, rapid breathing, tremors.
11. Fat Trimmings & Fried Foods
High-fat leftovers (like bacon grease or chicken skin) can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and dangerous condition.
Symptoms: hunched posture, abdominal pain, vomiting.
12. Salt (Chips, Pretzels, etc.)
Too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, causing thirst, confusion, tremors, and even death.
Look for: tremors, vomiting, seizures.
13. Dairy Products
Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and dairy causes upset stomach, gas, and bloating.
Especially risky: ice cream, which combines fat, dairy, and sugar.
14. Citrus Fruits
While a lick of orange juice isn’t deadly, concentrated exposure to lemons, limes, or grapefruit can irritate a dog’s gut and nervous system.
Worse in: essential oils or peels.
15. Raw Meat, Fish, or Eggs
Risk of Salmonella and E. coli. Raw egg whites also contain avidin, which inhibits biotin absorption.
Consult your vet if you’re feeding raw intentionally—balanced nutrition and safety are crucial.
16. Nutmeg
Contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, increased heart rate, and even seizures in dogs.
Found in: holiday cookies, baked goods, and spiced drinks.
17. Moldy or Spoiled Food
Moldy bread, cheese, or fruit can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which cause tremors and convulsions.
Pet-proof your trash—especially if you compost food waste.
18. Green Tomatoes & Raw Potatoes
These contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid. Cooked versions are generally safer but should still be fed in moderation.
Watch out for: sprouting potatoes.
19. Rhubarb & Spinach
High in oxalates, which interfere with calcium absorption and may contribute to kidney stones.
Tip: If your dog has urinary or kidney issues, avoid these.
20. Human Medications
From ibuprofen to antidepressants, human meds are a leading cause of pet poisoning. Even child-proof bottles won’t stop a determined dog.
Always store meds high up and in locked cabinets.
Sources
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic?
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Act fast: Don't wait for symptoms to get worse.
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Call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line: 888-426-4435
- Don’t induce vomiting unless told to—some substances cause more damage coming back up.
✅ Safe Snacks Instead
Worried about what you can share? Try these:
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Carrots
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Green beans
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Blueberries
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Plain cooked chicken
- Apple slices (no seeds)
- Natural Chews & Treats
🧠 Final Thoughts
Our dogs trust us with everything—including their health. It only takes one bite of the wrong thing to change everything. So bookmark this list, print it out, or share it with friends who love their pups as much as you do.
Want to be even more confident about what your dog can eat? Check out these helpful guides:
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✅ Safe Fruits for Dogs – A colorful list of fruits your dog can enjoy (and which ones to skip).
- ✅ Human Foods Dogs Can Eat – Wondering what’s okay to share from your plate? This list has you covered.
The more you know, the safer—and happier—your dog will be.