Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs: The Complete List
Chocolate, grapes, xylitol, onions and more — which human foods are dangerous for dogs, the symptoms to watch for, and what to do if your dog eats one.
By Muhammad Junaid · · 2 min read
Dogs will eat almost anything, and some ordinary kitchen foods can make them seriously ill. This list covers the most dangerous ones first.
If your dog has eaten something toxic
- Call your vet or an emergency animal clinic right away — don't wait for symptoms.
- Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your dog's weight. Keep the packaging.
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Most dangerous
Xylitol (birch sugar)
A sweetener in sugar-free gum, some peanut butters, sweets, toothpaste and baked goods. In dogs it can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar within minutes to hours, and liver failure. Always check peanut butter labels before sharing.
Signs: vomiting, weakness, wobbling, collapse, seizures.
Chocolate, coffee and caffeine
Contain theobromine and caffeine, which dogs process very slowly. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous: baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst, milk chocolate less so, white chocolate contains very little.
Signs: vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, panting, racing heart, tremors, seizures.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants
These can cause sudden kidney injury in some dogs. Nobody knows exactly why, and there's no known safe amount — so treat any amount as an emergency. Watch fruit cakes, trail mix and cereal bars.
Signs: vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, drinking less or more, peeing less.
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives
All forms are risky — raw, cooked, powdered or in sauces and gravy. They damage red blood cells and can cause anaemia, sometimes days after eating.
Signs: weakness, pale gums, fast breathing, red or brown urine.
Alcohol and raw yeast dough
Dogs are much more sensitive to alcohol than people. Raw bread dough keeps rising in the stomach and ferments into alcohol.
Signs: vomiting, bloated belly, wobbling, slow breathing.
Also harmful
| Food | Why it's a problem |
|---|---|
| Macadamia nuts | Weakness, especially in the back legs, vomiting, fever |
| Cooked bones | Splinter and can block or tear the gut |
| Fatty scraps (skin, fat trimmings) | Can trigger pancreatitis |
| Avocado | Mainly a risk from the stone (choking, blockage); flesh can upset the stomach |
| Salty snacks in large amounts | Salt poisoning: vomiting, tremors |
| Corn cobs, fruit stones, peach pits | Blockages; some stones also contain cyanide compounds |
| Mouldy food | Can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures |
Safer treats instead
Plain cooked chicken, carrot sticks, cucumber, apple slices (no core or seeds), blueberries and plain pumpkin are good options for most dogs in small amounts. Treats should stay under about 10% of your dog's daily food.
Keep your kitchen dog-safe
- Store chocolate, gum and baked goods in closed cupboards — not in handbags on the floor.
- Use a bin with a lid.
- Tell guests and children not to feed the dog from the table.
- Save your vet's number and the nearest 24-hour clinic in your phone today.
Frequently asked questions
How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?
It depends on the dog's weight and the type of chocolate. Dark and baking chocolate contain far more theobromine than milk chocolate, so a small amount can be serious for a small dog. Call your vet with the type and amount eaten — they can tell you whether it is a dangerous dose.
Can dogs eat a single grape?
Avoid grapes and raisins completely. Some dogs have developed kidney injury after eating small amounts, and there is no known safe dose.
Should I make my dog vomit at home?
Not unless a vet tells you to. Some substances cause more damage coming back up, and home remedies such as salt water can poison dogs.