Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs

Quick answer

The foods most likely to poison dogs are chocolate, grapes and raisins (and currants and sultanas), xylitol (a sweetener in some gum, sweets and peanut butter), onion and garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, raw bread dough and caffeine. Cooked bones, corn cobs and very fatty scraps cause injuries, blockages and pancreatitis. If your dog eats any of these, call your vet straight away with the product and amount, even if your dog seems fine.

Why dogs get into trouble

Dogs eat first and think later. Many food poisonings happen when a dog raids a handbag, bin or kitchen counter, or when someone shares a treat without knowing it's harmful. The dog care guide has a short "never feed" list. This guide explains what each food does, so you can judge how urgent things are and give your vet useful information.

The most dangerous foods

Chocolate, coffee and caffeine

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs break down very slowly. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is: cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark chocolate are much worse than milk chocolate. White chocolate contains very little but is still fatty.

Signs usually start within several hours: vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst, restlessness, panting, a racing heart, tremors and, in serious cases, seizures. Coffee grounds, tea bags, energy drinks and caffeine tablets cause the same problems.

Whether a dose is dangerous depends on the type of chocolate, how much, and your dog's weight. Your vet or a poison line can work this out quickly, so keep the wrapper.

Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas

These can cause sudden kidney injury in dogs. Tartaric acid is the leading suspect, though this isn't fully proven. There's no known safe amount, and reactions are unpredictable: some dogs become seriously ill after a few, others eat more with no effect. Watch for hidden sources like fruit cake, hot cross buns, trail mix and cereal bars.

Early signs are vomiting, lethargy and diarrhoea, followed by drinking and peeing less as the kidneys are affected. Vets usually prefer to treat straight away, before any signs.

Xylitol (birch sugar)

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free gum, mints, sweets, baked goods, toothpaste and some peanut butters. In dogs it triggers a sudden release of insulin, causing a dangerous drop in blood sugar, sometimes quickly. It can also damage the liver.

Signs include vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, collapse and seizures. Treat any xylitol ingestion as an emergency. Check labels on anything sugar-free before sharing it.

Onion, garlic, leeks and chives

All members of the onion family, raw, cooked, dried or powdered, damage red blood cells and can cause anaemia. Onion and garlic powder turn up in gravy, stock cubes, some baby foods and takeaways. Signs may not appear for a few days: weakness, pale gums, fast breathing and red or brown urine. Repeated small amounts can add up.

Macadamia nuts

These cause weakness (especially in the back legs), wobbliness, vomiting, tremors and a high temperature, usually within 12 hours. Most dogs recover within one to three days with care, but macadamias are often mixed with chocolate, which makes things worse.

Alcohol and raw yeast dough

Dogs are much more sensitive to alcohol than people. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, wobbliness, low blood sugar, breathing problems and collapse. Raw bread or pizza dough is a double hazard: it expands in the warm stomach, causing pain and bloating, and the yeast produces alcohol as it ferments.

Foods that injure or block

• Cooked bones splinter and can cut the mouth or gut, or get stuck.
• Corn cobs, fruit stones and peach or mango pits are a classic cause of intestinal blockage that needs surgery.
• Fatty scraps, skin, fried food and bacon can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas. Holiday meals and barbecues are common culprits.
• Salty foods in large amounts, plus homemade play dough and rock salt, can cause salt poisoning.
• Mouldy food from bins or compost can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures.
• Avocado is not a major poison for dogs, but the stone is a choking and blockage risk and the flesh is fatty.

Dairy isn't toxic but many adult dogs digest lactose poorly, so milk can cause diarrhoea.

Human medicines

These cause more serious dog poisonings than most foods. Never give your dog human painkillers like ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin or paracetamol (acetaminophen) unless your vet has prescribed them, and keep pill organisers and handbags out of reach. Dogs often chew through blister packs.

What to do if your dog eats something toxic

1. Stay calm and take away whatever's left.
2. Work out what, how much and when. Keep the packet, wrapper or a photo. Weigh your dog, or know roughly what it weighs in kilograms or pounds.
3. Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away. Many poisonings are easier to treat in the first hour or two.
4. Don't make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to and explains how. Salt, mustard and hydrogen peroxide can cause harm of their own, and bringing up some substances does more damage.
5. Go in if advised, taking the packaging.

The vet may give an injection to make your dog vomit safely, activated charcoal to reduce absorption, a drip to protect the kidneys, or blood tests and monitoring. Treatment depends on the poison and how long ago it was eaten.

Prevention

• Keep chocolate, sweets, gum, raisins and nuts in closed cupboards, not on low tables or in handbags on the floor.
• Use a dog-proof bin or keep it behind a closed door.
• Tell guests and children not to feed the dog from the table.
• Check labels for xylitol on anything sugar-free.
• Be extra careful at holidays, parties and barbecues.
• Give safe treats instead. Small pieces of plain cooked chicken, carrot, apple without seeds or core, or dog treats are fine for most dogs, in moderation.

When to see a vet

Go to a vet immediately (emergency) if your dog:

• Has eaten anything containing xylitol
• Has eaten grapes, raisins, currants or sultanas, in any amount
• Has eaten dark or baking chocolate, cocoa powder, or a large amount of milk chocolate
• Has swallowed human medicine
• Is having tremors or seizures, has collapsed or is very weak
• Has pale gums, or is breathing fast or struggling to breathe
• Has a swollen, hard belly or is retching without bringing anything up

Call your vet the same day if your dog:

• Has eaten onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol or raw dough
• Has swallowed a cooked bone, corn cob or fruit stone
• Is vomiting repeatedly or has diarrhoea after a food raid (see dog vomiting or diarrhoea)
• Has a painful belly or is hunched, especially after a fatty meal

If in doubt, call. Vets would much rather hear from you early than see a poisoned dog late.