Foods Toxic to Dogs: What to Avoid and What to Do

The most dangerous foods for dogs are chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol (a sugar substitute), onions and garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw yeast dough. Some cause harm in small amounts, and the effects can be delayed by hours. If your dog eats any of them, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away instead of waiting for symptoms.

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet knows your dog’s size and health and should always be your first call.

The foods dogs should never eat

The table below summarizes the most common problem foods, based on the ASPCA’s list of people foods to avoid feeding pets and the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Food	Why it is dangerous	Signs owners may notice
Chocolate, coffee, caffeine	Contain methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine), which dogs clear slowly	Vomiting, diarrhea, panting, restlessness, racing heart, tremors, seizures
Grapes, raisins, currants	Can cause sudden kidney damage; the exact cause is still debated and sensitivity varies	Vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite, changes in thirst or urination
Xylitol (in some gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste and nut butters)	Triggers a sharp drop in blood sugar and can damage the liver	Vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, collapse, seizures
Onions, garlic, chives, leeks	Damage red blood cells and can lead to anemia, whether raw, cooked or powdered	Stomach upset early; later weakness, pale gums, fast breathing
Macadamia nuts	Toxic to dogs specifically	Weakness (often in the back legs), vomiting, tremors, high body temperature
Alcohol	Dogs are far more sensitive than people	Vomiting, poor coordination, depression, breathing problems
Raw yeast dough	Expands in the stomach and produces alcohol as it ferments	Bloated belly, retching, signs of alcohol poisoning
Very salty foods and snacks	Can upset the balance of electrolytes	Excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, tremors

Chocolate: darker is worse

The risk from chocolate depends on the type, the amount and the size of the dog. According to the ASPCA, white chocolate contains the least of the problem compounds, while baking chocolate and cocoa powder contain the most. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that signs usually appear within about 6 to 12 hours. Because a small amount of baking chocolate can matter for a small dog, let a professional do the math. Our step-by-step guide on what to do if your dog eats chocolate covers the information to have ready.

Xylitol: check every label

Xylitol is the one many owners have never heard of. It may be listed as xylitol or “birch sugar” and appears in sugar-free gum and mints, some baked goods, some peanut and nut butters, and some toothpastes. The ASPCA warns that liver damage can follow within 12 to 24 hours. Treat any xylitol exposure as urgent, even if your dog seems fine.

Grapes and raisins: no “safe” amount

Some dogs eat grapes with no obvious harm while others develop kidney injury, and there is no reliable way to know in advance which group your dog falls into. That is why vets treat any grape or raisin ingestion seriously. Remember hidden sources such as trail mix, raisin bread, cereal bars and fruit cake.

Other foods that cause trouble

Cooked bones can splinter and injure the mouth, throat or gut. Raw bones carry their own risks of blockage and bacteria.
Fatty scraps such as bacon, turkey skin and gravy can trigger stomach upset and are linked to pancreatitis.
Other nuts such as almonds, pecans and walnuts may cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis, according to the ASPCA.
Milk and dairy often cause diarrhea, because most adult dogs have little lactase.
Raw meat and eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli, which can also infect people in the home.
Avocado is mainly a concern for birds and rabbits, but the pit is a choking and blockage hazard for dogs.

Plenty of people foods are fine in small amounts. See our guides to which human foods dogs can eat and fruits and vegetables dogs can eat.

What to do if your dog eats something toxic

Move your dog away from the food and pick up any leftovers or wrappers.
Work out what was eaten: the product, the ingredients (keep the package), roughly how much, and when.
Call for advice right away: your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, open 24 hours a day. A consultation fee may apply. The Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) is another fee-based option in the US.
Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet or poison control expert tells you to. Inducing vomiting is not safe for every substance or every dog.
Follow the instructions you are given and bring the packaging with you if you are told to go in.

Outside the US, call your own vet or the nearest out-of-hours emergency clinic; they can access veterinary poison information services on your behalf.

Go to a vet right away if you see

Seizures, tremors or collapse
Difficulty breathing
Repeated vomiting or vomiting blood
A swollen, hard belly or unproductive retching
Pale or yellow gums
Extreme weakness, wobbliness or unresponsiveness

How to prevent food poisoning in dogs

Keep bags, purses and coat pockets off the floor; gum and mints are common culprits.
Store chocolate, baking supplies and raisins in closed cabinets.
Use a lidded trash can, or keep the trash behind a door.
Ask guests not to share food, especially during holidays and parties.
Read nut butter labels before using them for treats or pill-hiding.
Save the poison control number in your phone today.

Bottom line

Chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol, onions and garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw dough are the foods most likely to poison a dog. Prevention is easier than treatment, but if your dog does eat something risky, call your vet or poison control promptly and follow their instructions instead of waiting to see what happens.

FAQ

How long after eating something toxic will a dog show symptoms?

It varies. Xylitol can act quickly, chocolate signs often start within 6 to 12 hours, and kidney damage from grapes may not be obvious for a day or more. Call for advice right away rather than waiting.

Is a small amount of onion or garlic okay?

Damage depends on the amount and the dog’s size, and it can build up with repeated exposure. Avoid feeding foods seasoned with onion or garlic, and ask your vet if your dog ate some.

Should I give my dog milk or food after it eats something toxic?

No. Do not give anything by mouth unless a vet or poison control expert tells you to.

Can I make my dog throw up at home?

Only if a veterinarian or poison control specialist specifically tells you to and explains how. For some substances, vomiting causes more harm.