What Can Dogs Not Eat?
Post Date:
December 10, 2024
(Date Last Modified: November 13, 2025)
Dogs explore the world with their mouths, and many everyday foods and items pose real risks when eaten. The list below summarizes common nonfoods and foodstuffs that can harm dogs, how they cause injury, and practical steps owners and caregivers can take.
Chocolate, caffeine and stimulants
The methylxanthines theobromine and caffeine are the primary toxic compounds implicated when dogs ingest chocolate or stimulant-containing products. Signs of methylxanthine toxicity commonly appear within 6–12 hours after ingestion and can include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias.[1]
Clinical risk is dose-dependent: mild signs are frequently reported at roughly 20 mg/kg of theobromine, with more severe neurologic or cardiac effects at doses above about 40 mg/kg and life‑threatening toxicity at substantially higher levels.[2] Common sources include dark baking chocolate and cocoa powder (highest concentration), milk chocolate (lower concentration), coffee grounds, and some energy or stimulant drinks.
Xylitol and artificial sweeteners
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener that can trigger rapid, severe hypoglycemia in dogs; clinical low blood sugar may develop within 30–60 minutes of ingestion in many cases.[3]
- Typical products that contain xylitol include sugar‑free gum, sugar‑free candy, some baked goods, peanut butter brands, and certain oral care products.
Published dose thresholds indicate hypoglycemia can occur with doses around 0.1 g/kg (100 mg/kg) and higher, while hepatic injury and fulminant liver failure have been associated with doses near or above 0.5 g/kg in some reports; both the amount and the individual dog’s sensitivity influence outcomes.[4] If ingestion is suspected, prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended because early decontamination and monitoring of blood glucose and liver enzymes change outcomes.
Grapes, raisins and dried fruits
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and some fruit mixes are associated with unpredictable acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs; some exposed animals develop clinically important renal damage while others have no apparent effect. When AKI occurs, it is commonly recognized within 24–72 hours after ingestion based on reduced urine production and biochemical changes.[5]
Because susceptibility varies between individual dogs and no reliable safe dose is defined, any known ingestion of grapes or raisins should prompt veterinary contact; veterinarians often recommend early decontamination and serial monitoring of kidney function.
Allium family (onion, garlic, chives, leeks)
Plants in the Allium family contain compounds that induce oxidative damage to canine red blood cells, which can lead to hemolytic anemia. Toxic effects may develop after exposure to raw or cooked forms, and concentrated powdered seasonings can be particularly hazardous.
Published guidance often cites toxic exposures on the order of tens of grams per kilogram of body weight (approximately 15–30 g/kg of onion equivalents) as associated with clinically important hemolysis in dogs, although smaller repeated exposures can also be harmful.[1] Signs are often delayed, with anemia and associated weakness or pale gums appearing 3–5 days after exposure as red cell destruction progresses.
Safe handling includes avoiding Allium-containing leftovers and using dog-safe seasoning alternatives such as plain herbs approved by a veterinarian.
High‑fat foods and nuts
Very fatty foods and certain nuts can trigger pancreatitis or specific toxic syndromes. A single large fatty meal or substantial ingestion of grease and fatty table scraps can precipitate pancreatitis, with clinical signs commonly developing within 12–48 hours and including vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, and anorexia.[5]
Macadamia nuts produce a characteristic toxicosis in dogs with transient weakness, depression, and hindlimb paresis that typically appear within 12 hours of ingestion; although usually self‑limited, supportive care is often required. Regularly feeding high‑fat foods increases the long‑term risk of recurrent pancreatitis and chronic GI disease.
Alcohol and raw yeast dough
Ethanol from beverages and fermentation of raw yeast dough can cause intoxication, metabolic disturbances, and hypothermia in dogs. Clinical signs from ethanol exposure commonly appear within 30–60 minutes of absorption and can include disorientation, ataxia, vomiting, low body temperature, and in severe cases respiratory depression or coma.[1]
Raw bread or pizza dough poses a double hazard: ongoing fermentation in the stomach produces ethanol, and expanding dough can cause gastric distension. Any suspected ingestion of alcoholic beverages or fermenting dough warrants urgent veterinary assessment, especially in small or toy dogs.
Bones, pits and chew hazards
Cooked bones, fruit pits (such as peach, olive, or avocado pits), and very hard chews create choking, obstruction, or splintering injuries to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Obstruction or perforation signs—vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and inability to defecate—may become apparent within 24–72 hours depending on the site of impaction.[5]
Raw bones are less likely to splinter than cooked bones but still carry bacterial and fracture risks; safer alternatives include commercially produced, appropriately sized veterinary‑approved chews and close supervision during chewing sessions.
Raw, spoiled and moldy foods
Raw meat and eggs can harbor bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter; incubation times for symptomatic infection in dogs generally range from about 12–72 hours after exposure, though individual courses vary.[6]
Moldy foods may contain mycotoxins that cause neurologic, hepatic, or gastrointestinal signs depending on the toxin class; blue‑green algae toxins from freshwater sources can produce rapid, severe neurologic or hepatic disease in as little as a few hours after exposure. Prevention centers on proper storage, prompt discard of spoiled foods, and avoiding unknown algal scums during walks or swims.
Plants, medications and household substances often eaten by dogs
Many common houseplants (for example, certain lilies for cats, sago palm for dogs), human medications, iron supplements, and household cleaning products are toxic when ingested. Typical exposures involve accidental chewing or ingestion from unsecured bottles, potted plants, or medication containers.
If ingestion of a potentially toxic household item or medication is suspected, note the product, estimate the amount, and contact a veterinary clinic or an animal poison control center immediately; professional poison specialists evaluate risk and advise on decontamination and monitoring.
| Item | Primary toxic compound | Approximate toxic dose | Typical onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate (dark, baking) | Theobromine, caffeine | Signs often from ~20 mg/kg theobromine; severe >40 mg/kg | 6–12 hours[2] |
| Xylitol (gum, some peanut butters) | Xylitol (sugar alcohol) | Hypoglycemia ~0.1 g/kg; liver injury reported at ~0.5 g/kg | 30–60 minutes[4] |
| Grapes, raisins | Unknown plant toxin | No reliable safe dose; even small amounts implicated | 24–72 hours (AKI possible)[5] |
| Onion, garlic (Allium) | Organosulfur compounds | Toxic effects reported around ~15–30 g/kg (onion equivalents) | 3–5 days for hemolysis signs[1] |
Immediate actions and veterinary care
If a potentially toxic item has been ingested, time and situation guide the first steps: when ingestion is recent and the product is noncaustic, inducing vomiting can reduce absorbed dose; emesis is generally most effective within 1–2 hours of ingestion.[3] Apomorphine is a commonly used emetic in dogs with recommended parenteral dosing in the range of 0.02–0.04 mg/kg, administered by a veterinarian or emergency clinic when appropriate.[3]
Activated charcoal can limit gastrointestinal absorption of many toxins; typical single‑dose regimens range from about 1 g/kg to up to 5 g/kg depending on the situation and toxin, and administration should be directed by a clinician or poison control specialist because charcoal is ineffective for some agents (for example, alcohols, strong acids or alkalis, and metals).[4] Emesis and charcoal are contraindicated for seizures, severely depressed mentation, or ingestion of caustics unless the airway is protected by endotracheal intubation.[4]
Fluid therapy and monitoring are central to managing many toxicities: initial crystalloid boluses for hypovolemia commonly use 10–20 mL/kg isotonic fluids, repeated as needed while assessing perfusion parameters.[1] Maintenance fluids for hospitalized dogs are commonly calculated near 60 mL/kg/day, with adjustments for ongoing losses and comorbid conditions.[1]
Hypoglycemia from xylitol or other causes is treated with parenteral glucose; emergency protocols often give an initial IV dextrose bolus to deliver approximately 0.5–1 g/kg of glucose, followed by a continuous infusion and frequent blood glucose monitoring until stable.[1] Dogs that have ingested known hepatotoxins or high‑risk doses (for example, substantial xylitol quantities) require serial biochemical monitoring for 24–72 hours because laboratory evidence of liver injury may lag behind clinical signs.[4]
For suspected ingestion of choke/obstructing items such as pits or large bone fragments, radiography or ultrasound may be indicated; some obstructions require endoscopic retrieval or surgical intervention if the object is lodged or has caused perforation. Contacting a veterinary clinic promptly helps define the appropriate diagnostics and procedures based on the object type and the animal’s size and clinical status.[5]
Prevention, storage and practical household steps
Prevention is the most reliable way to avoid toxic ingestions. Store medications, sugar‑free products, baking ingredients, and alcoholic beverages out of reach and out of sight, and dispose of food waste in secure bins; keep foods with high toxicosis potential (xylitol‑containing peanut butter, chocolate, grapes) well away from counter edges and pet access points. For shared household items like tabletop snacks, consider placing them in cabinets or high shelves rather than on counters where a curious dog can reach them.
Supervised feeding of treats and chews reduces the risk of accidental ingestion of hazardous items. When offering chewables, select appropriately sized, species‑appropriate products from reputable manufacturers rather than cooked bones or very hard items that can splinter. For dogs that scavenge outdoors, leash control near fruit trees, compost piles, or areas where human foods might be discarded lowers exposure risk.
Maintain a record of the brands and types of human‑grade products in the home (for example, which peanut butter contains xylitol) so you can provide precise information to a veterinarian or poison control service if an ingestion occurs. Many poison control centers operate 24/7 and will ask for the product name, the estimated amount ingested, and the dog’s weight to triage risk most effectively; Pet Poison Helpline and other poison specialists provide these services and often recommend whether immediate clinic evaluation is necessary.[2]
When in doubt about risk or required action after a suspected ingestion, contact a veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline promptly rather than waiting for signs to develop; early decontamination, monitoring, and targeted therapy substantially improve outcomes for many common toxic exposures.[4]
