10 Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog: What’s Toxic and Why

Feeding your dog a healthy diet is vital to their wellbeing, but it’s equally important to know which foods can be harmful or even deadly. Many common human foods contain substances toxic to dogs, so keeping these out of reach is crucial.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, stimulants that dogs metabolize very slowly. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, heart problems, seizures, or worse. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous due to higher toxin levels.

2. Grapes and Raisins

These fruits can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, though the exact toxic compound is unknown. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and decreased urination. Because even small amounts can be dangerous, it’s best to avoid grapes and raisins entirely.

3. Onions and Garlic

Onions, garlic, and other alliums contain compounds that damage red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia. This reduces oxygen delivery to organs, causing weakness, breathing difficulty, and lethargy. Both raw and cooked forms are harmful.

4. Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)

Xylitol is found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some baked goods. It causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure. Even tiny amounts can be dangerous.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol affects dogs much more severely than humans, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, tremors, and even coma or death in severe cases. Avoid giving your dog any alcohol or foods containing it.

6. Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, and hyperthermia in dogs. The exact toxic substance is unknown, but symptoms can last for days, requiring veterinary care.

7. Avocado

Avocados contain a substance called persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. While small amounts might not be fatal, large quantities can lead to heart congestion and respiratory distress.

8. Caffeine

Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some sodas, stimulates the nervous system and heart. In dogs, it can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and even seizures.

9. Cooked Bones

Cooked bones can splinter easily, causing choking or serious damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines. They may also cause blockages, requiring emergency surgery.

10. Raw Yeast Dough

When ingested, raw yeast dough can expand in a dog’s stomach, causing painful bloating and gas build-up. Additionally, fermentation produces alcohol, which is toxic to dogs and can cause poisoning.

Why It Matters

Dogs don’t metabolize these substances the way humans do. What might be a harmless snack for you can cause serious health problems or even be fatal for your dog. Always keep harmful foods out of reach and stick to treats formulated specifically for pets, like the natural treats from My Fur Baby.