
Top 15 Foods to Never Feed Your Dog (And How to Handle Pet Emergencies)
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Time to read 10 min
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Time to read 10 min
Table of content
Ensuring your dog's health starts with understanding which foods are harmful to them. While sharing food with your furry friend might feel like a kind gesture, dogs have unique digestive systems that make certain human foods toxic. In this article, we’ll explore 15 foods that should be strictly avoided and provide essential tips for emergency situations.
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.
By staying vigilant and aware of these foods, you can keep your dog safe and healthy. Always consult your veterinarian if you're unsure about the safety of certain foods for your pet.
American Kennel Club (AKC) – Dog First Aid Tips
This link offers first aid tips for dogs, which is a perfect complement to the emergency steps outlined in your article. It provides additional guidance for dog owners on how to act quickly in critical situations, helping them prepare for any emergency, including toxic ingestion.
Pet Poison Helpline – 24/7 Emergency Poison Assistance
Pet Poison Helpline offers detailed instructions on how to handle pet poisoning. This can further educate your readers on what immediate actions to take and what to avoid, especially when dealing with poisoning symptoms or uncertain situations.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center – Toxic Foods and Plants for Pets
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center provides an authoritative and detailed list of toxic foods, plants, and household items that pose a risk to pets. This expands on your list of toxic foods by giving further context on common household dangers, enriching your readers' understanding of toxic substances beyond food.
VCA Animal Hospitals – Symptoms of Poisoning in Pets
This link helps pet owners recognize the signs of poisoning in pets, such as vomiting, lethargy, or changes in behavior. It complements the emergency steps in your article, allowing readers to better identify if their dog is experiencing toxicity symptoms and seek help promptly. It provides more specific, actionable information for dog owners in distress.
The Humane Society – Plants and Food That can be Poisonous to Pets
The Humane Society offers preventative tips for avoiding poisoning. This link helps expand your article by focusing on proactive measures dog owners can take to avoid the risks of toxic food ingestion, complementing the reactive emergency advice.
Certain foods can be toxic to dogs, including chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados, alcohol, macadamia nuts, and xylitol. These can cause serious health issues like kidney failure, gastrointestinal upset, and poisoning. Always avoid giving your dog these foods.
No, grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure . Even small amounts of grapes or raisins can be harmful to your pet. If your dog ingests them, contact a vet immediately.
No, avocado contains persin , which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues in dogs. The pit can also cause intestinal blockages. Avoid feeding avocado to your pet.
Chocolate contains theobromine , which is toxic to dogs. Eating chocolate can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, seizures, and even death. Dark chocolate is especially dangerous due to its higher theobromine content.
No, onions and garlic contain thiosulfate , a compound that can damage red blood cells in dogs and lead to hemolytic anemia . Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, and vomiting. Even cooked or powdered forms should be avoided.
No, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. It causes a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure. Be cautious of foods containing xylitol, such as sugar-free gum, candies, and baked goods.
No, macadamia nuts can cause symptoms like weakness , tremors , vomiting , and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature). Even a small amount can be harmful to your dog, so keep macadamia nuts out of their reach.
Yes, grapes and raisins can cause severe kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts. If you suspect your dog has ingested grapes or raisins, seek immediate veterinary care.
If your dog ingests something toxic, act quickly by removing the substance from their reach. You can try inducing vomiting, but it's best to contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic for guidance. Time is critical in preventing severe poisoning.
Yes, fruits like peaches, plums, cherries , and others with pits can contain cyanide , which is toxic to dogs. Additionally, the pits can cause intestinal blockages . Always remove the pits before offering fruit to your dog.
Many dogs are lactose intolerant , meaning they cannot properly digest dairy products. Feeding dairy can lead to diarrhea , gas , and abdominal discomfort . If you want to give dairy, do so in moderation and monitor for adverse reactions.
No, cooked bones can splinter and cause choking , intestinal blockages , or tearing of the digestive tract. Raw bones are safer, but always supervise your dog while they chew on them.
Alcohol is extremely dangerous for dogs. It can lead to vomiting , diarrhea , difficulty breathing , and central nervous system depression . Even a small amount can be fatal, so ensure your dog stays away from alcoholic beverages.
Signs of toxicity in dogs can include vomiting , diarrhea , lethargy , abdominal pain , excessive drooling , and seizures . If you notice any of these symptoms, especially after your dog eats something unusual, contact a vet immediately.
Feeding your dog raw meat can expose them to harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli , which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. It's safer to cook meat thoroughly before feeding it to your dog.
Ripe tomatoes in small amounts are generally safe for dogs, but unripe tomatoes and green parts of the plant contain solanine , which can be toxic. Avoid giving your dog raw or green tomatoes.
In addition to grapes, raisins, and citrus fruits, avoid giving your dog fruits with pits, such as peaches , plums , and cherries . These fruits can contain cyanide and cause serious health issues if ingested.
Many nuts, such as macadamia nuts and almonds , can cause digestive issues and toxicity in dogs. They can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Avoid feeding any type of nuts to your dog.