Dogs can eat a wide range of the foods you enjoy, but some are harmful and even toxic. Foods like chocolate, macadamia nuts, and onions can be dangerous for your dog, so if you think they’ve eaten some, take them to a vet. Here are the 18 worst things you can feed your dog.
Grapes and Raisins
Raisins and grapes are both highly toxic to cats and dogs, and even a single grape can cause kidney failure and be fatal. If your dog ingests a grape or raisin, it may start vomiting, lose its appetite, and show signs of severe dehydration. Quickly take your dog to the vet if you suspect it’s eaten one.
Alcohol
Dogs are unable to metabolize alcohol, so drinks, foods, and household products containing it can be toxic. Alcohol consumption can cause lethargy, a dangerously low body temperature, and respiratory depression, so make sure to keep drinks out of reach of your dog.
Onions and Garlic
The PDSA explains that “onions, garlic, and leeks are from a group of plants called alliums, which are all toxic to dogs.” They contain the toxins disulfides and thiosulfates, which damage your dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Garlic and onion poisoning symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy, so it’s essential to take your dog to a vet if they’ve eaten them.
Raw Eggs
Feeding your dog raw eggs isn’t a good idea, as they can contain salmonella and E.coli and contain an enzyme inhibitor that can interfere with digestion, particularly in young and old dogs. Always thoroughly cook eggs before feeding them to your dog to avoid these risks.
Fat Trimmings
It’s best to avoid feeding your dog fat trimmings from both cooked and uncooked meats. Regular consumption of fat trimmings can cause pancreatitis in dogs and won’t provide the benefits of healthier fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
Xylitol
This natural sugar alcohol can be found in plants, fruits, and vegetables and is used as a sweetener in sugar-free gum and toothpaste. The FDA warns that xylitol poisoning can kill dogs, and symptoms, including vomiting, shaking, and difficulty walking, can start within 20 minutes.
Avocado
Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Their large seeds also pose a serious choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage, so it’s best to keep them away from your dog.
Yeast Dough
Yeast is toxic to dogs and can cause low body temperature, low blood sugar, breathing difficulties, and even death if they aren’t quickly treated. The uncooked yeast will ferment the carbohydrates in the dough, producing ethanol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning in dogs.
Coffee and Tea
Both coffee and many kinds of tea contain caffeine, which is dangerous for your dog. Caffeine toxicity symptoms in dogs include tremors, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and even seizures, so stick to water when giving them a drink.
Chocolate
The Blue Cross explains that “chocolate contains a chemical called ‘theobromine,’ which is toxic to dogs” and that “the darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is.” The caffeine in chocolate can also affect their heart rate. Safe alternatives for your dog include blueberries, which contain antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, but scientists are unsure of the exact compound that causes this toxicity. If your dog eats them, it may show signs of weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia, so opt for dog-friendly treats instead of nut-containing snacks.
Dairy Products
There’s a high chance your dog is lactose intolerant, and many cannot ingest dairy well. Milk and yogurt can cause digestive upset, including bloating and diarrhea, so plant-based milks like almond, oat, and soy are healthier alternatives with a lower sugar content.
Salty Snacks
Salty snacks like chips and pretzels aren’t suitable for your dog and can lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of sodium ion poisoning to watch out for include vomiting, diarrhea, high temperatures, and seizures, so stick to healthy, less salty snacks designed for dogs.
Sugary Foods
Regularly feeding your dog sugary foods is harmful to their health and can contribute to diabetes, obesity, and poor dental health. It can also cause behavioral problems, leading to hyperactivity and energy crashes, so stick to treats like apples in moderation.
Bones
Feeding your dog bones left over from cooking may be tempting, but it’s best avoided. Purina warns that it comes with risks, including sharp splinters of bone damaging their digestive tract, leading to mouth injuries, peritonitis, and throat damage. Chew toys will help to maintain their dental health without the risks of bones.
Citrus Fruits
The acid content in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons can cause stomach upset in dogs. They also contain psoralens, which can be toxic and cause severe health issues if ingested in large amounts, so it’s best to avoid feeding your dog oranges.
Human Medications
Many common medications designed for humans, such as ibuprofen, are toxic to dogs, so keep your medication away from and out of reach of your pet. Only give them medications prescribed by a veterinarian specifically designed for dogs.
Broccoli
While small amounts of broccoli on occasion probably won’t harm your dog, large doses are best avoided. Broccoli contains isothiocyanates, which can be dangerous in high doses, and stalks can also get stuck in your dog’s throat.
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