Which Human Foods Are Dangerous for Dogs?

Sharing food with your dog can feel like an act of love, especially when those hopeful eyes lock onto your dinner plate. But, as most of us know, many common human foods are dangerous for dogs, while some can cause serious illness even in small amounts. Knowing which foods dogs should never eat can help protect their health, help you avoid emergency vet visits, and make safer choices at home.

This guide covers the most dangerous human foods for dogs, why they’re harmful, and what to do if your dog eats something he or she shouldn’t.

Why Some Human Foods Are Toxic to Dogs

Dogs process food very differently than we humans do. Their bodies lack the enzymes that re needed to safely break down certain compounds, while other foods overwhelm their organs or interfere with red blood cells and the nervous system. In some cases, toxicity builds over time. In other times, a single bite can trigger a medical emergency.

The size, age, and overall health of your dog matter, but there aren’t any dogs that are completely safe from food-related toxicity. Even healthy dogs can become seriously ill after eating the wrong food.

Below is a list of the food that are not safe and potentially toxic for your dogs:

Chocolate and Cocoa Products

Chocolate tops the list of foods that are toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs cannot metabolize efficiently. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder are especially dangerous because they contain higher concentrations.

The symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, and collapse. Even small amounts can be life-threatening, particularly for small dogs.

Onions, Garlic, and Other Alliums

Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots can damage a dog’s red blood cells and can therefore lead to anemia. These foods are dangerous whether they are raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated.

Repeated exposure can be just as harmful as eating a large amount at once. Symptoms of onion toxicity could appear days later and include weakness, pale gums, lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins, which might seem harmless, can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and veterinarians still don’t fully understand why. Some dogs become severely ill after eating just one or two, while others show no immediate symptoms.

Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and refusal to eat. Kidney damage can develop quickly, making this one of the most dangerous human foods for dogs.

Xylitol and Sugar-Free Products

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, toothpaste, and some medications. Xylitol can cause a rapid insulin release in dogs, leading to dangerously low blood sugar and potential liver failure.

Symptoms can begin within minutes and include weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and collapse. Xylitol poisoning is always an emergency.

Alcohol and Yeast Dough

Alcohol affects dogs much faster and more severely than humans. Even if your dog ingests small amounts of beer, wine, liquor, or foods cooked with alcohol, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, tremors, and coma.

Unbaked yeast dough is also dangerous because it can expand in your dog’s stomach and produce alcohol as it ferments. This combination can cause severe bloating, pain, and alcohol toxicity.

Cooked Bones and Fat Trimmings

Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause choking, broken teeth, intestinal blockages, or internal tears. If you suspect your dog ate a cooked bone, watch your dog’s behavior carefully. Some pups may act completely normal, but others will show signs that something is wrong. You might notice gagging, retching, or coughing if the bone gets stuck in the throat.

Fat trimmings and greasy foods may trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious condition.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and lethargy, often requiring hospitalization.

Avocado

Avocados contain persin, a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. While the flesh is less toxic than other parts of the plant, the pit presents a serious choking and obstruction risk.

Avocado is also high in fat, which increases the risk of pancreatitis.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are uniquely toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, fever, and difficulty walking.

Symptoms usually appear within 12 hours and may last up to 48 hours. While rarely fatal, macadamia nut poisoning often requires veterinary care.

Wild Mushrooms

Wild mushrooms can be extremely dangerous for dogs, and some species are potentially fatal. Because it is nearly impossible for pet owners to accurately identify safe versus toxic wild mushrooms, all mushrooms found outdoors should be treated as unsafe.

Store bought mushrooms, in small amounts, are OK for dogs.

Symptoms vary depending on the type but may include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, tremors, seizures, liver failure, or collapse. Store-bought mushrooms are generally less toxic, but they can still cause gastrointestinal upset and should not be shared.

Dairy Products

Many dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot properly digest dairy products like milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. While dairy is not usually toxic, it can cause digestive upset.

Common symptoms of dairy intolerance include gas, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort. High-fat dairy products also increase the risk of pancreatitis, especially in sensitive dogs.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain solanine, a toxin that can be harmful to dogs. Ripe tomatoes contain lower levels, but green tomatoes, stems, and leaves are more dangerous.

If your dog eats a tomato, it may cause gastrointestinal upset, drooling, weakness, tremors, or abnormal heart rate. Because the risk varies and dogs may chew plant parts, tomatoes are best avoided.

Caffeine and Energy Drinks

Caffeine affects dogs much like chocolate does, stimulating the nervous system and heart. Coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and caffeine-containing supplements can all be dangerous.

Signs that your dog ingested caffeine include the following: restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and seizures.

Salty Snacks and Processed Foods

Chips, pretzels, fast food, and heavily seasoned leftovers contain excessive salt, fat, and additives can also be dangerous for dogs. Too much salt can lead to dehydration and sodium ion poisoning.

If you dog ate chips or pretzels, the symptoms that might present itself include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Dangerous Human Food

If you suspect your dog ate something toxic, act quickly. Remove access to the food immediately and contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can also provide guidance.

Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so. Some substances can cause more damage when vomited.

Safer Alternatives to Share With Your Dog

If you want to include your dog in snack time, choose foods that are safe and dog-friendly. Plain cooked chicken, carrots, green beans, apples without seeds, and small amounts of plain pumpkin are generally safe when served in moderation.

If you do share these or any other safe human foods with your dog (or cat), always introduce them slowly and avoid seasoning, oils, or added sugars. 

Keeping Your Dog Safe Around Human Food

The best way to prevent your dog from eating any of these foods is to just be mindful of the ones that are toxic. Store the dangerous foods securely, read ingredient labels carefully, and remind guests not to share table scraps. Teaching a solid “leave it” command can also prevent dangerous snacking.

We all want what is best for our dogs but in some cases, sharing is not caring and potentially dangerous.