Toxic Foods & Household Items
A comprehensive guide to foods and substances dangerous for dogs
Dangerous Foods & Items Reference
Xylitol (Birch Sugar)
Common Sources:
Sugar-free gum, candy, sweeteners, some peanut butter, baked goods, toothpaste, medicines
Why Dangerous:
Can cause rapid, life-threatening drop in blood sugar and acute liver failure
Action:
EMERGENCY: Call veterinarian immediately
Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas & Currants
Common Sources:
Fresh or dried fruit, trail mix, cakes, fruit bread, pastries, cereals
Why Dangerous:
May cause sudden kidney injury or kidney failure. No safe amount known.
Action:
Contact veterinarian immediately
Chocolate & Cocoa
Common Sources:
Chocolate bars, brownies, cocoa powder, baking chocolate, chocolate drinks
Why Dangerous:
May cause vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, potentially death. Dark chocolate highest risk.
Action:
Call veterinarian promptly
Coffee, Tea & Caffeine
Common Sources:
Coffee grounds/beans, tea bags, energy drinks, caffeine tablets, pre-workout products
Why Dangerous:
Can overstimulate heart and nervous system, causing agitation, tremors, overheating, seizures, collapse
Action:
Urgent veterinary advice
Alcohol
Common Sources:
Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, alcohol-containing desserts, sauces, mouthwash
Why Dangerous:
Can cause vomiting, poor coordination, low body temperature, low blood sugar, breathing problems, coma, death
Action:
Urgent veterinary advice
Raw Yeast Dough
Common Sources:
Unbaked bread, pizza, pastry, sweet dough
Why Dangerous:
Can expand in stomach and ferment, producing alcohol
Action:
Contact veterinarian immediately
Onions, Garlic, Chives, Leeks & Shallots
Common Sources:
Stocks, sauces, gravies, seasonings, takeaway food, powders
Why Dangerous:
Can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Raw, cooked, dried and powdered forms are all dangerous.
Action:
Contact veterinarian for advice
Macadamia Nuts
Common Sources:
Mixed nuts, cookies, nut mixes, chocolate snacks
Why Dangerous:
May cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, pain and difficulty walking
Action:
Contact veterinarian
Mouldy Food & Compost
Common Sources:
Spoiled leftovers, bins, compost heaps, mouldy bread or cheese
Why Dangerous:
Mould toxins can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures, overheating, serious illness
Action:
Urgent veterinary advice
Hops
Common Sources:
Home-brewing ingredients, spent brewing grains
Why Dangerous:
May cause dangerous overheating and severe illness
Action:
Treat as an emergency
Cooked Bones (Especially Bird Bones)
Common Sources:
Chicken, turkey and other cooked poultry bones
Why Dangerous:
Can splinter and cause choking, mouth injury, blockage or intestinal perforation
Action:
Do not induce vomiting. Seek advice if swallowed.
Very Fatty Foods
Common Sources:
Fatty meat trimmings, skin, fried food, gravy, greasy leftovers
Why Dangerous:
Can cause digestive upset and pancreatitis
Action:
Avoid feeding. Seek care for vomiting, pain or lethargy.
Salty Foods & Snacks
Common Sources:
Crisps, salted nuts, cured meats, stock cubes, salty leftovers
Why Dangerous:
Large amounts can cause excessive thirst, vomiting, tremors or seizures
Action:
Call veterinarian after significant ingestion
Avocado
Common Sources:
Flesh, guacamole and pits
Why Dangerous:
High fat may upset the stomach; the pit can cause choking or obstruction
Action:
Keep pits out of reach
Milk & Rich Dairy
Common Sources:
Milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt, ice cream
Why Dangerous:
May cause diarrhoea in lactose-intolerant dogs; rich products may worsen pancreatitis risk
Action:
Avoid routine feeding
Coconut & Coconut Oil
Common Sources:
Coconut flesh, oil and rich coconut treats
Why Dangerous:
May cause diarrhoea or digestive upset, especially in large amounts
Action:
Avoid large quantities
Citrus, Peels & Essential Oils
Common Sources:
Orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit peels, leaves, concentrated oils
Why Dangerous:
Can cause stomach upset; concentrated oils and plant material are more concerning
Action:
Keep oils and plant material away
Fruit Pits & Seeds
Common Sources:
Persimmon, peach, plum, cherry and apricot pits; apple seeds
Why Dangerous:
Can cause choking or obstruction. Some seeds and pits contain cyanogenic compounds.
Action:
Keep cores and pits away; seek advice if swallowed
Green or Sprouting Potatoes
Common Sources:
Green potatoes, sprouts, leaves and stems
Why Dangerous:
May contain glycoalkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal and neurological signs
Action:
Do not feed; call if a significant amount is eaten
Nutmeg & Heavily Spiced Foods
Common Sources:
Spiced baking, seasonings, festive foods
Why Dangerous:
Nutmeg can cause neurological and gastrointestinal signs; seasonings may contain onion or garlic
Action:
Check ingredients and call for advice if more than a taste was eaten
Raw Animal Foods
Common Sources:
Raw meat, eggs, unpasteurised products, raw leftovers
Why Dangerous:
May carry bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter
Action:
Use food-safety precautions; contact a vet if illness develops
Sugary Foods & Drinks
Common Sources:
Sweets, cakes, desserts, soft drinks, sweetened products
Why Dangerous:
May cause stomach upset and contribute to obesity or dental disease. Sugar-free products may contain xylitol.
Action:
Check labels carefully
Human Medicines
Common Sources:
Painkillers, cold medicines, vitamins, supplements, prescription medicines
Why Dangerous:
Many medicines are toxic to dogs, sometimes in very small amounts
Action:
EMERGENCY: Call veterinarian immediately
Corn on the Cob
Common Sources:
Whole or partial cob, cooked or raw
Why Dangerous:
The cob can lodge in the intestine and cause a dangerous obstruction
Action:
Seek veterinary advice promptly if swallowed
Other Pets' Food
Common Sources:
Cat food or products made for other species
Why Dangerous:
May be nutritionally unsuitable, overly rich, or contain ingredients unsuitable for dogs
Action:
Avoid routine feeding; check labels
Tomato Plants & Unripe Tomatoes
Common Sources:
Vines, stems, leaves, garden trimmings, unripe fruit
Why Dangerous:
Plant parts and unripe fruit contain higher levels of glycoalkaloids and may cause stomach or neurological signs
Action:
Keep dogs away from tomato plants
Tobacco & Nicotine Products
Common Sources:
Cigarettes, cigars, vapes, e-liquid, nicotine pouches, nicotine gum
Why Dangerous:
Can cause vomiting, weakness, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart rate, death
Action:
EMERGENCY: Call veterinarian immediately
If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
Do This Immediately
- Contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic without delay
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear
- Have the product packaging or information ready
- Know how much your dog weighs
- Be prepared to describe what was eaten and when
Do NOT
- Induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian
- Give home treatments or remedies
- Wait to see if symptoms develop
- Assume "just a little bit" is safe
- Delay seeking professional help
Keep Your Dog Safe
At Home
- Store all human foods, medicines and supplements out of reach
- Keep trash secured in a closed, locked container
- Never leave food unattended on tables or counters
- Be cautious during holidays and celebrations
- Keep chocolate, sugar-free gum and alcohol completely inaccessible
When Eating Out
- Never share human food with your dog
- Avoid table scraps, especially at restaurants
- Be cautious of cooked bones
- Don't assume takeaway food is dog-safe
- Keep your dog supervised around food
General Safety
- Know which plants in your garden are toxic
- Keep compost bins secure and inaccessible
- Supervise your dog outdoors
- Read product labels (especially sugar-free items)
- Have your veterinarian's number and nearest emergency clinic info easily accessible
Questions About Dog Nutrition & Safety?
Our team is here to answer your questions and provide guidance on keeping your dog healthy and safe.
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