Top 15 Foods to Never Feed Your Dog (And How to Handle Pet Emergencies)

Danger : These foods contain theobromine (in chocolate) and caffeine (in coffee and tea), both of which are toxic to dogs. Dogs metabolize these substances much more slowly than humans, making even small amounts potentially dangerous.

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and in severe cases, death. Dark chocolate is particularly dangerous due to its higher concentration of theobromine.

Precaution : Keep all chocolate, coffee, and tea products well out of your dog's reach. If ingestion occurs, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Danger : Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The exact substance responsible for the toxicity is not yet known, but even a small amount can have severe effects.

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Kidney failure may occur within a few hours or days after ingestion.

Precaution : Never feed grapes or raisins to dogs. Be vigilant in keeping these fruits out of their reach.

Danger : Both onions and garlic contain thiosulfate , a compound that can cause hemolytic anemia , damaging the red blood cells in dogs. Whether raw, cooked, or powdered, onions and garlic are toxic to dogs.

Symptoms : Weakness, lethargy, pale gums, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, anemia can cause organ failure.

Precaution : Avoid feeding dogs any form of onion or garlic, including in prepared foods or seasonings.

Danger : Avocados contain persin , a toxin that can cause vomiting , diarrhea , and other gastrointestinal issues in dogs. The pit is also a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockages if ingested.

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and bloating. Difficulty breathing can occur in some cases.

Precaution : Avoid feeding avocados to your dog, including the fruit, skin, and pit. Keep them securely stored out of your dog’s reach.

Danger : Even small amounts of alcohol can have severe effects on dogs. It can cause central nervous system depression , leading to symptoms such as dizziness, coordination problems, and even death.

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tremors, lethargy, and potentially coma or death in large amounts.

Precaution : Keep alcohol away from your dog, including alcoholic beverages and foods that contain alcohol (like cake batter or some candies). Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog consumes alcohol.

Danger : Macadamia nuts can cause muscle weakness , vomiting , tremors , and hyperthermia in dogs. Symptoms can appear within 12 hours of ingestion.

Symptoms : Vomiting, weakness, tremors, depression, and elevated body temperature.

Precaution : Never feed macadamia nuts to your dog. Ensure that foods containing macadamia nuts are kept out of reach.

Danger : Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in many sugar-free gums, candies, baked goods, and other products. It causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, and even death.

Symptoms : Rapid onset of weakness, lethargy, vomiting, and seizures. Severe cases can lead to liver failure.

Precaution : Always check ingredient labels for xylitol before offering products to your dog. If ingested, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Danger : Raw eggs and meat carry the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli , which can cause severe gastrointestinal infections. Raw egg whites also contain avidin , which can lead to biotin deficiency in dogs if consumed frequently.

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and dehydration.

Precaution : Avoid feeding raw eggs or meat to your dog. Always cook meat thoroughly before offering it to your pet.

Danger : While bones are a popular chew for dogs, cooked bones are dangerous because they can splinter and cause serious damage to the digestive tract. They can lead to choking , intestinal perforation , and blockages .

Symptoms : Difficulty swallowing, gagging, drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, or visible signs of distress.

Precaution : Never feed cooked bones to dogs. Provide safe chew toys instead, and only offer raw bones that are large enough to avoid swallowing.

Danger : Excessive salt intake can lead to sodium ion poisoning , which can cause vomiting , diarrhea , tremors , and seizures .

Symptoms : Excessive thirst, urination, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.

Precaution : Avoid feeding your dog salty snacks, such as chips or pretzels. Ensure fresh water is always available for your dog to help prevent dehydration.

Danger : Many dogs are lactose intolerant , meaning they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose properly. Feeding dairy products can cause digestive upset , including diarrhea and bloating.

Symptoms : Diarrhea, stomach cramps, and excessive gas.

Precaution : Avoid giving dairy products to your dog, especially if they show signs of lactose intolerance. If offering small amounts, monitor for signs of digestive upset.

Danger : Yeast dough can rise in your dog’s stomach, causing painful bloating and potentially leading to gastric dilation (twisting of the stomach), which is a medical emergency. The yeast also ferments in the stomach, producing alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Symptoms : Bloating, pain, vomiting, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.

Precaution : Never feed yeast dough to your dog. Keep dough, batter, and raw baking ingredients out of your dog’s reach.

Danger : The pits of these fruits contain cyanide , which is toxic to dogs. The pits can also cause intestinal blockages .

Symptoms : Dilated pupils, excessive salivation, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

Precaution : Always remove pits from fruits before feeding them to your dog. If your dog accidentally eats a pit, monitor closely for symptoms of poisoning and seek immediate veterinary care if necessary.

Danger : Some mushrooms, particularly wild ones, contain toxins that can affect multiple systems in a dog’s body, leading to shock or organ failure .

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, seizures or liver failure.

Precaution : Avoid feeding mushrooms to your dog, especially wild mushrooms. If your dog ingests a mushroom, seek veterinary care immediately.

Danger : Foods that are high in fat can cause pancreatitis in dogs, a condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas and can lead to serious health issues.

Symptoms : Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain.

Precaution : Avoid feeding fatty foods such as bacon, greasy meat, or processed foods. Offer lean cuts of meat and ensure your dog’s diet is balanced and appropriate for their size and age.