Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs

Key takeaways

• Keep toxic foods securely out of reach.
• Chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol can be emergencies.
• Do not wait for symptoms before seeking advice.
• Never induce vomiting unless a veterinarian directs you.

Chocolate and caffeine

Chocolate contains substances that dogs process poorly. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, cocoa powder, and cacao products are generally more dangerous than milk chocolate, but any chocolate ingestion deserves prompt professional advice.

Coffee, tea, energy products, caffeine tablets, and used coffee grounds can also cause poisoning. Signs may include vomiting, restlessness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, seizures, or collapse.

• Note the type and amount eaten.
• Save the package if available.
• Call a veterinarian promptly.

Grapes, raisins, and related fruits

Grapes, raisins, currants from the grape family, and foods containing them can cause sudden kidney injury in dogs. There is no reliably safe amount, and some dogs become ill after eating only a small quantity.

Early signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst, or changes in urination. Contact a veterinarian immediately rather than waiting for symptoms.

• Check baked goods and trail mixes.
• Include seedless and organic grapes as hazards.
• Treat any known ingestion as urgent.

Onions, garlic, and similar plants

Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots can damage a dog's red blood cells. Raw, cooked, dried, powdered, and concentrated forms can all be harmful, and repeated smaller exposures may also cause problems.

Symptoms may be delayed and can include vomiting, weakness, pale gums, rapid breathing, reduced appetite, or dark urine. Onion and garlic powders are common in soups, sauces, seasoning mixes, and prepared foods.

• Read ingredient lists carefully.
• Do not feed seasoned table scraps.
• Call a veterinarian after a significant or uncertain exposure.

Xylitol and other serious hazards

Xylitol, sometimes labeled as birch sugar, is a sweetener found in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, drink mixes, and other products. It can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and sometimes liver injury. Signs may include vomiting, weakness, poor coordination, tremors, seizures, or collapse.

Other important hazards include alcohol, raw yeast dough, macadamia nuts, moldy food, large amounts of salt, and fatty table scraps. Cooked bones and fruit pits may also cause choking, blockage, or internal injury even when they are not poisonous.

• Check labels for xylitol or birch sugar.
• Keep purses, backpacks, and trash secured.
• Treat suspected xylitol exposure as an emergency.
• Avoid giving cooked bones.

What to do after an accidental ingestion

Remove access to the food and keep your dog calm. Record what was eaten, the estimated amount, when it happened, your dog's weight, and any symptoms. Bring or photograph the package and ingredient list.

Call your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic, or an animal poison-control service right away. Do not induce vomiting or give food, milk, oil, salt, activated charcoal, or any home remedy unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.

• Act quickly, even if your dog seems normal.
• Do not rely on online toxicity calculators alone.
• Go to an emergency clinic for seizures, collapse, trouble breathing, severe weakness, or loss of consciousness.
• Keep remaining food or packaging for identification.

When to call the vet

• Call a veterinarian immediately after suspected xylitol, grape, raisin, chocolate, caffeine, or other toxic-food ingestion. Seek emergency care at once for seizures, collapse, breathing trouble, severe weakness, or loss of consciousness.