What foods are toxic to dogs and the human foods you can feed them
Read our guide on which human foods are safe for your dog, and which you should keep out of reach.
Whether it’s leftovers from your Sunday roast or those snacks in the cupboard you can’t seem to shift. The temptation to let your hairy hoover lighten the load is real. One mouthful couldn’t hurt, right?
Unfortunately, even a pup-sized mouthful of certain foods can make your pal seriously ill.
Here are some of the human foods you must avoid feeding your furry friend, and others you should be cautious with.
Toxic foods you must never feed your dog
Chocolate
Chocolate contains substances that our four-legged friends struggle to digest.
Small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, but higher doses can cause seizures, or even death.
A vet can advise on how serious the situation is based on the size of your dog and how much chocolate they’ve eaten.
What to do if your dog eats chocolate
Speak to your vet immediately. Have the packaging of the chocolate to hand so you can give your vet as much information as possible.
This applies to any chocolate products – not just chocolate itself – e.g. cocoa powder.
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives can cause anaemia when eaten by dogs. Even if cooked thoroughly, any traces of these ingredients in food can be toxic.
Useful to know: gravy often includes one or more of these ingredients.
What to do if your dog eats onions, garlic, leeks or chives
Speak to your vet. Signs of poisoning from these ingredients include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and depression.
If you think your dog has eaten something containing any of these, don’t wait to see. Call your vet ASAP.
Ethanol
Ethanol is an alcohol found in things like alcoholic drinks, medication, perfume, mouthwash, and some thermometers. It’s also used as a disinfectant and is in many hand sanitisers.
Usually, ethanol poisoning in dogs comes from the accidental drinking of an alcoholic drink. It can also be caused by eating uncooked bread and pizza dough, which produce ethanol inside a dog’s body. Signs of toxicity range from lethargy/depression and incoordination, to tremors and death.
What to do if your dog consumes ethanol
Speak to your vet immediately if you think your dog has consumed ethanol.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants
Fresh and dried grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. They can be found raw, or cooked as ingredients of fruit cake, mince pies, malt loaf, snack bars, scones, and other baked goods.
Any amount of these fruits is potentially dangerous when eaten. It can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and even death in some cases.
What to do if your dog eats grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants
Speak to your vet right away if you think they’ve eaten anything containing grapes, raisins, or other dried fruit.
Xylitol
Xylitol, sometimes listed as E967, is a naturally occurring sweetener used in many food products instead of sugar. A few examples are sugar-free gum, mints, sweets, some baked goods and some peanut butter. It’s also sometimes used in dental products, like mouthwash, chewing gum and toothpaste.
In dogs, xylitol can stimulate insulin release, leading to a dramatic crash in blood sugar levels. It can also cause liver failure, which can produce signs in under an hour. Though it can take up to 12 hours before any signs appear.
What to do if your dog eats Xylitol
Contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten anything with Xylitol in.
Avocados
Avocados are a brunch essential these days, but they contain a toxin called persin. Eating too much persin could make your dog seriously ill, so steer clear of avocado altogether.
The leaves and bark of the avocado plant, as well as the pit and skin of the fruit, are where most toxins are found. But they’re also found in the flesh.
Unripened fruits are particularly risky. So, it’s best to err on the side of caution, and treat all parts of avocado as potentially dangerous for your dog.
What to do if your dog eats avocado
Speak to your vet right away if you think your dog has eaten any avocado.
Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate
Sharing a cuppa with your pupper might seem like a nice idea. But tea, coffee, and hot chocolate contain things like caffeine and theobromine, that can be harmful to your dog.
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, guarana, and as an additive in many soft drinks. Theobromine, another toxin, is found in products made from cacao seeds, like hot chocolate. These products are harmful if ingested by your dog, so should be kept away.
What to do if your dog drinks tea or coffee
Call your vet as soon as possible if you think your dog has had any tea or coffee.
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are a popular snack for us humans. But eating even a tiny amount can make your dog seriously ill.
Signs of macadamia nut-induced illness may include:
- showing muscle weakness (particularly hind limb weakness)
- depression
- vomiting
- co-ordination problems
- tremors
- hyperthermia
- abdominal pain
- difficulty walking
- stiffness.
What to do if your dog eats macadamia nuts
Call your vet right away if you think they’ve eaten some. They’ll assess the situation and advise from there.
Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob can cause life-threatening gut blockages if eaten. They may be able to digest the corn itself, but the cob can block their intestines. This requires emergency surgery and can be fatal.
What to do if your dog eats corn on the cob
Contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten some corn on the cob.
Foods to be careful with
Bones
Popular culture leads us to believe that bones are great for dogs. But you need to be careful if your dog is given, or finds, a bone.
Make sure your family and friends know they shouldn’t be giving your dog bony leftovers, like their chicken drumsticks from lunch. Bones can cause constipation, block the throat/gut, or even fatally pierce the gut.
Chews
Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs. But you should always ask your vet for advice before giving your dog a chew. They can offer some safe suggestions to try out with your furry pal.
It’s generally a good idea to steer clear of bones. And you should always supervise your pup throughout their chewing session. This will minimise any risk of accidental swallowing.
Human foods you can usually feed your dog (in moderation)*
- Bananas
- Strawberries, blackberries and blueberries
- Pineapple
- Sweetcorn (off the cob)
- Ripe tomatoes
- Broccoli and cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Cucumbers
- Apples (but not the core)
- Carrots
- Apricots (but not the pit)
- Asparagus
- Aubergine
- Beetroot
- Celery
- Frozen peas
- Mushrooms
Meat and fish
- Chicken
- Tuna
- Anchovies (be careful as they’re high in salt and can be dangerous for your dog if they eat too much)
- Prawns
- Hot dogs
Other foods
- Pasta
- Cheese
- Eggs (and cooked eggshells)
- Peanuts and peanut butter (xylitol & additive free)
- Plain white or brown bread (no additives)
- Baked beans
- Coconuts
- Cat food
- Greek yoghurt
- Honey
- Marmite (but be careful as it’s high in salt and dangerous for your dog if they eat too much)
- Plain noodles
- Plain popcorn
- Quinoa
- Plain Quorn
- Weetabix Original (no chocolate varieties)
- Yorkshire puddings.
The bottom line
Some foods shouldn’t be going anywhere near your dog’s chops. But even foods that are usually non-toxic for dogs could still harm your individual pup.
Things like intolerance, food fat content or portion size can play a part in this. That’s why it’s always a good idea to speak to your vet before serving up something your dog hasn’t tried before.
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