What Can Dogs Not Eat: A List of Foods Toxic for Dogs

There you are sitting at the dinner table ready to enjoy your meal when a warm wet nose nuzzles you for attention. You see those loving eyes looking up at you as if to say what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine. Who can resist? Most of us can’t. But when dealing with certain foods, most of us should.

There are quite a few foods that should never be included on your dog’s menu regardless of how lovingly Pooch looks at you. Apart from helping your dog become overweight, there are some foods that we eat that are toxic for dogs.

Here are some foods that are common to our diet but that Pooch should never be given access to, much less ingested.

Alcohol

Dogs can develop liver disease or brain problems from alcohol just like people, only it takes less. Even a small amount of wine, beer, liquor, or even food that contains some can cause breathing and coordination problems, diarrhea, vomiting, and even result in a coma. The smaller the dog, the worse the reaction. It can be fatal.

Avocado

That’s right no guacamole! These fruits contain Persin which in substantial amounts can cause diarrhea and vomiting. If you grow your own, they should be in a part of your garden that your dog does not have access to. All parts of the plant are toxic and seeds that obstruct the digestive tract can prove to be fatal.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda

These are highly toxic in large quantities. They should be kept out of reach if your dog frequents the kitchen.

Bones

As much as your dog may look longingly at the bone you just removed from your pork chop or piece of lamb, do not give it to him. Bones, especially cooked bones, splinter easily and can pierce or block your dog’s digestive tract. Better a rawhide bone from the pet store.

Caffeine, Chocolate, Coffee, Colas, or Tea

Caffeine can be lethal for dogs. This includes tea leaves, coffee grounds, and even beans. Colas, chocolate, and cocoa should also be kept out of reach. 

Chocolate

Did your dog eat a chocolate bar? Contact your vet immediately. Chocolate contains theobromine which will cause diarrhea and vomiting. All chocolate, milk, white, dark, and baking chocolate are highly toxic in dogs. If your dog ingests quite a bit, it can result in seizures, tremors, cardiac problems, and be fatal.

Dairy Products

Milk and ice cream along with other dairy products can cause diarrhea. They can also cause allergies or intolerances that lead your pooch to excessive scratching because of the itch.

Fat

Have a nice steak or piece of meat and you’ve trimmed off the fat? Don’t think of giving it to Pooch! Fat, whether raw or cooked, can cause pancreatitis. 

Garlic and Onions

No Italian tomato-based sauce! Any form of these two vegetables, cooked, raw, powdered, or dehydrated can poison your dog. Ingestion results in the killing of red blood cells which in turn leads to anemia. Beware of baby foods as well that may contain them. Symptoms of poisoning include difficulty breathing, vomiting, and general weakness.

Grapes and Raisins

This fruit can be the cause of kidney failure in dogs, and it takes a very small amount to make your dog ill. Continuous vomiting is indicative followed by sluggishness.

Macadamia Nuts

If you love these nuts, or foods that contain them, make sure to keep them out of your dog’s reach. It only takes a few to make your dog ill, and it doesn’t matter if they are roasted or raw. These nuts will make your dog very ill. A fever, vomiting, shaking, and weakness in the legs are all symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning. If your dog has eaten chocolate with macadamia nuts in it, the symptoms will be more severe.

Peaches, Plums, and Persimmons

Do not give these fruits to your dog. Persimmon seeds can create havoc in the small intestine, while the pits found in plums and peaches contain highly poisonous cyanide. Your dog may decide to eat the pit along with the fruit.

Salt

Do not share salty snacks with your dog. Pretzels, taco chips, cheese balls, or potato chips, are to be avoided. Excessive salt can cause sodium ion poisoning in Pooch. Symptoms of salt poisoning include depression, diarrhea, fever, seizures, tremors, and vomiting. This type of poisoning can be fatal.

Spices

Spices can frequently be toxic for dogs. Nutmeg is highly poisonous. Spices should be stored where your Pooch cannot reach them.

Sugar and Sugary Foods

Apart from causing your dog to gain weight, sugar can cause dental problems and diabetes in dogs.

Uncooked Eggs and Meat

While many people may want to feed raw eggs to their dog for a shiny coat, most veterinarians advise against this as raw eggs, like raw meat, may contain E.coli or Salmonella bacteria.

Uncooked Fish

Uncooked fish can also contain bacteria like raw eggs, but some uncooked fish also hosts parasites that cause fish poisoning disease. Parasites are common in uncooked salmon, shad, sturgeon, or trout. So if you go fishing, cook the fish before Pooch gets his portion. Symptoms of raw fish poisoning include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and vomiting.

Xylitol

An artificial sweetener used in diet foods, pastries or baked goods, gum, candy, and even toothpaste, this dangerous ingredient can cause a drop in blood sugar and liver failure. Symptoms include coordination problems, lethargy, vomiting, and even seizures. If not treated immediately, the liver can fail within days.

Yeast 

Yeast dough should rise before it is cooked and if ingested, it will do the same in the stomach cavity. You may see your dog with an incredibly bloated stomach, and if it ferments it will produce poisonous alcohol.

A Final Thought

Always read ingredients on the label before giving it to your dog – and get educated on healthy pet food ingredients too. 

Should your dog ingest any of these foods, contact your vet or local poison control center immediately, or rush your best friend to the nearest pet emergency clinic.