Login 
Your dog loves to be with you: go where you go, do what you do, eat what you eat. While it may be easy to close the door on them when you go to the bathroom, saying no to those begging puppy dog eyes may be harder to do. But hold your spoon!
Sharing human food with your canine companion isn’t the best thing you can do for their health, especially since some human foods are actually toxic to them. There are literally thousands of delicious foods available to us humans that we’d love to share, but don't let a tasty treat turn into a trip to the emergency vet! We'll help you understand what foods dogs can’t eat and why.
Understanding What Foods are Toxic to Dogs
At the most basic, a dog’s digestion and ours are very similar, but when we really get into it, there are certain foods that we can eat that dogs simply don’t possess the ability to properly break down. When this happens, the existing compounds that can’t be cleared can cause damage to a dog’s organs, sometimes severely. So, if a food contains a compound that a dog’s system can’t properly break down or expel from the body, it’s considered toxic.
So, what can’t dogs eat? Dogs can't eat many common human foods, including chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, avocados, alcohol, some sweeteners, and certain nuts. These foods contain compounds that dogs can't properly digest, leading to various health problems, from mild digestive upset to severe organ damage and even death.
Feeding your dog a healthy diet comes down to more than just knowing what foods are toxic to dogs, you may also want to look into these common pet food myths to make sure your dog is on the healthy eating track.
What Can Dogs Not Eat?
These are some of the most common foods that dogs should avoid, but keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive, so be sure to speak to your vet before sharing any human food with your pup.
Dogs Can’t Eat Chocolate and Caffeine
Perhaps the most famous of toxic foods for dogs, chocolate contains two troublesome compounds: theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is fine for us, but dogs can’t completely metabolize it, and along with caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system and heart as well as lead to dehydration.
Does chocolate kill dogs? It can, but the severity of the situation depends on several factors. Chocolate varies in the amounts of theobromine and caffeine that it contains, but generally speaking, the darker the chocolate, the worse it is for your pup. Dogs that eat chocolate or caffeine may show up with:
Vomiting
Increased water consumption and increased peeing
Restlessness
Incoordination
Tremors
Coma
The Allium Family is Toxic to Dogs: Onions, Garlic, and Leeks
Most dogs aren’t going to willingly gobble an onion or glove of garlic, but they can ingest them if they’re used in cooking. These foods are toxic for dogs in raw, cooked or even powdered forms. Foods in the Allium species contain N-propyl disulfide, which dogs are more sensitive too. In high concentrations, this compound can damage red blood cells.
Why can’t dogs have garlic? Dogs that eat onions, garlic, leeks, or chives may start out with digestive signs like vomiting and diarrhea, with more severe cases resorting to anemia due to red blood cell destruction. Signs of anemia include:
Lethargy
Pale gums
Decreased appetite
Exercise intolerance
Collapse
Dogs Can’t Eat Xylitol and Artificial Sweeteners
A relative newcomer to the What Can Dogs Not Eat list is xylitol. This is an artificial sweetener that takes the place of sugar in products such as gum, candy, peanut butter and even toothpaste. Is xylitol bad for dogs? Absolutely, xylitol, even in small amounts, isn’t well handled by the canine body and can lead to the release of large amounts of insulin.
Insulin is released by the pancreas and helps move sugar from the blood into the cells. High amounts of insulin cause a rapid drop of blood sugar which can lead to weakness, lethargy, collapse and seizures. Larger amounts of xylitol can also lead to liver damage, which can be fatal.
Grapes and Raisins Are Toxic Foods for Dogs
We have known for a while that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs but only recently have learned why. It turns out tartaric acid is the culprit. Grapes and raisins contain varying levels of this compound depending on the type and ripeness. When dogs get a lot of tartaric acid, it can lead to digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea and in severe cases kidney failure.
Dogs in kidney failure may:
Drink more, pee more
Have lethargy
Have abdominal pain
Not pee
Avocados Are Bad for Dogs
Here’s a yes and no food when it comes to dogs. The leaves, skin, bark and to a smaller extent the fruit contain varying levels of a poison called persin. Eating a bit likely won’t cause any harm, but eating a lot, especially of the skin or leaves, could cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in extreme cases heart damage. Generally speaking, eating the fruit is okay, but the high amounts of fat can also take their toll, so you’ll likely be better off to consider avocado one of the foods dogs can’t eat.
Dogs Can’t Have Alcohol and Yeast Dough
Why are these two in the same category? Well, alcohol contains ethanol and yeast dough ferments to ethanol, so there you go. When a dog drinks alcohol, even small amounts can go straight to their central nervous system, depressing its function and causing organ damage as it goes.
Yeast dough, on the other hand, takes a little longer to get to the alcohol poisoning stage, which is dangerous in itself, but along the fermentation way, it also gives off a lot of gas, which can lead to a severe condition called bloat. This puts it firmly on the list of what dogs can’t eat.
Macadamia Nuts Are Toxic to Dogs
What can’t dogs eat? How about nuts? While we know dogs love peanut butter and can even have almonds, macadamia nuts are one of the foods dogs can’t eat. When a dog eats macadamia nuts, they typically go through several stages of toxicity. The cause of the toxicity is unknown, but we do know that initially, dogs may vomit, be lethargic and develop a fever within a few hours of ingestion. From there, they may develop incoordination, hindlimb weakness, joint stiffness and muscle tremors. Most dogs recover within a couple of days unless they develop pancreatitis from the high amounts of fat in the nuts.
Dogs Can’t Eat Cooked Bones and Fat Trimmings
Let’s continue with the high fat discussion…fat trimmings are one of the foods that are bad for dogs. Though they may come from meat, they are not healthy. Best case scenario your pup will have some vomiting and diarrhea, worst-case is pancreatitis.
Cooked bones are also a no-no as they are more brittle than their raw counterparts which can lead to splintering and choking and irritation or even punctures of the digestive tract.
Instead, consider using commercial chew toys that are made from rubber or natural cotton or hemp fibers.
Other Vegetables and Fruits that Are Harmful to Dogs
What vegetables can dogs not eat? Several vegetables pose health risks to dogs, and it's important to know which ones to avoid.
Green and raw potatoes contain solanine which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, incoordination and seizures.
Green tomatoes also contain solanine as well as tomatine. Ripe tomatoes are okay, but let’s remember they can be very acidic which can upset a dog’s stomach.
Rhubarb and leafy greens can be high in oxalates which can lead to digestive issues and kidney problems. Most dogs don’t really like these, so it’s typically not a problem.
Oranges can be great for dogs in small amounts, but too much acidity can be upsetting.
For fruits, vegetables, and other foods dogs can eat, you’ll want to remove the peel and any seeds. Cut into bite-sized chunks and only serve in moderation.
Signs of Food Toxicity in Dogs
Not every toxic food is the same, but generally speaking, the first things you’re going to see are stomach issues such as:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Not eating
Stomach pain
After that, some toxins will continue to wreak havoc in the form of:
Incoordination
Weakness
Increased drinking and peeing
When to Seek Veterinary Help
If you see your dog eat something they shouldn’t, or even if you just suspect it, consult your veterinarian. Remember, knowing what dogs can't eat is important, but knowing when to seek professional help is even more critical. For most toxic foods, you’ll want to rid the body of it the sooner the better. Your vet will be able to tell you if you should monitor your dog at home or get them to the clinic. Also see your vet if signs are severe or don’t get better within a couple of days.
What Can't Dogs Eat? Prevention Strategies for a Safe Home
Since there are many human foods out there that can be dangerous to your pup, avoid feeding them any unless your vet has specifically told you that you can do so.
For foods that you know are toxic to dogs, store them securely out of reach and tell your family and friends not to feed your dog anything without talking to you first.
Counter-surfing dogs present a unique challenge when it comes to keeping them safe. It's crucial to clear the table immediately after meals, as tempting leftovers can be irresistible to a curious canine. Put all food away promptly, and ensure that countertops are free of any potentially harmful items. What can't dogs eat? Even seemingly innocuous things, like a stray grape or a dropped piece of chocolate, can be dangerous. Consider using placemats or tablecloths that don't dangle within your dog's reach, as they can be pulled down, bringing food along with them.
If you just can’t keep your dog from begging at the table, consider keeping some dog treats or a few bits of their kibble near the table. Feed them those things instead of from your plate. You can also give them fun toys or puzzles games at dinner time to keep them safely occupied.
The Role of Pet Insurance in Food-Related Emergencies
Even with the best intentions and precautions, dogs can still eat things that are bad for them. They don't know any better, and accidents happen. This is where a pet insurance plan can be a lifesaver, especially when it comes to the unexpected costs of treating a dog who has ingested something from the long list of What Can Dogs Not Eat.
These costs can add up quickly. Depending on the substance ingested and the severity of the reaction, treatment can range from a few hundred dollars for induced vomiting and activated charcoal, to thousands for extended hospitalization, intensive care, and specialized treatments for organ damage. For example, treating a dog who has ingested chocolate might involve inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal, and monitoring for heart arrhythmias.
Having pet insurance can help alleviate these financial burdens, allowing you to focus on your dog's recovery rather than worrying about mounting vet bills.
What Can Dogs Not Eat? Sharing Isn't Always Caring
Your dog loves to be with you, do what you do, and even eat what you eat, and those puppy dog eyes can be hard to resist. But it's important to remember that sharing human food isn't always the best way to show your love. Knowing what foods dogs can't eat is key to keeping your furry friend safe and healthy. With a little care and attention, you and your dog can enjoy many happy years together.