Keep These Foods Away From Your Pup – The Most Dangerous Foods For Dogs (And Which Ones Are Safe)
Ensuring your dog eats the right foods is crucial for their overall health. While many people opt for quality dry or wet dog food, some human snacks can actually be safe for dogs in moderation—while others are extremely harmful. Foods like carrots, plain chicken, and blueberries are fine, but treats such as chocolate, grapes, onions, or anything with xylitol should be avoided at all costs. Knowing the difference can help keep your furry friend safe and healthy.
Grapes And Raisins Are A No-Go
Sometimes a dog can recover from a small amount of certain foods they're not supposed to have, but that's much less likely if they’ve eaten grapes or raisins. These are highly toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney failure and, unfortunately, even death.
If you’re unsure whether your dog has eaten grapes or raisins, there are several symptoms to watch for. These include loss of appetite, weakness or lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain when touched, dehydration, and frequent urination, among others. If you notice any of these signs, the best course of action is to contact a veterinarian immediately.
Steer Clear Of Macadamia Nuts
Many dog health experts list macadamia nuts as one of the top human foods to avoid giving to dogs due to the serious risks they pose. While the exact substance causing the negative effects is still being studied, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can be fatal.
Symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, loss of balance, weakness, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), and depression. If you suspect your dog has eaten macadamia nuts, it's crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately. If the symptoms are less severe, activated charcoal and medication to help purge their system may be recommended.
Garlic Won't Do Your Dog Any Favors
While garlic has health benefits for humans, it doesn't have the same effect on dogs. Due to their different metabolism, garlic can be very toxic to their digestive system. The substance thiosulfate in garlic can cause damage to their red blood cells.
If you suspect your dog has ingested garlic, watch for signs like rapid breathing, weakness, jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pain, depression, and dehydration. Typically, a dog would need to consume a large amount of garlic to feel sick, but tolerance varies from dog to dog. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact a veterinarian right away.
Keep The Carrots Coming
This orange vegetable is packed with vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and more. Not only does it provide numerous health benefits for dogs, but it's also a great way to reward good behavior.
If you have a puppy who's teething, a frozen carrot can serve as a soothing cold treat to help with the pain while also promoting dental health. Before serving, it's best to cut the carrots into bite-sized chunks to prevent choking.
Don't Cry Over Onions
According to the Pet Poison Hotline, onions are one of the most toxic foods for dogs. Whether raw or cooked, onions can cause serious damage, including rupturing red blood cells.
If this happens, it interrupts their oxygen flow, making it difficult for them to breathe. The toxins are present in all parts of the onion and can also be found in onion powder, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives. Signs that a dog may have eaten onions include lethargy, loss of appetite, fainting, reddish urine, or pale gums. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to contact a veterinarian immediately.
Blueberries Help Dogs With Their Weight
It can be difficult to curb the appetite of an overweight dog and something that can fool them into thinking they're getting a sugary treat are blueberries. This fruit is packed with antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and it gives their bodies several important vitamins and minerals.
Blueberries are actually low in sugar because they are almost all water. Since they are bite-sized they can be used as a treat and in dog puzzle toys. Some studies have found that blueberries have reduced signs of aging in senior dogs as well.
Keep Them Away From The Chocolate
Chocolate is one food that should never be given to dogs. While it's a favorite for many people, it contains theobromine and caffeine—two ingredients that dogs can't process effectively. Even a small bite can be dangerous.
Eating chocolate can cause vomiting, dehydration, tremors, internal bleeding, seizures, and in extreme cases, death. Dark chocolates, including cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate, are the most hazardous since they contain the highest levels of these toxic substances..
White Rice Helps With Upset Stomachs
Dogs, like humans, can experience stomach troubles, often from eating the wrong thing or a sudden switch in their food. A simple at-home fix is plain, cooked white rice.
White rice is easy on a dog's stomach and can help solidify runny stools. It also provides simple carbohydrates that are easy to digest, giving dogs—especially older ones—a quick energy lift. Just remember to stick with white rice rather than brown, as brown rice has a higher glycemic index and may raise blood sugar more quickly.
Why Ice Cream Is Damaging For Dogs
As much as you might want to treat your dog to a lick of ice cream on a hot day, it's best to resist. Most dogs are lactose intolerant because they stop processing milk after puppyhood, which makes digesting dairy a challenge.
Ice cream can cause issues like gas, diarrhea, bloating, or even vomiting. On top of that, it’s full of sugar and may contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is extremely dangerous for dogs. Thankfully, there are frozen treats made just for pups—like Frosty Paws—that offer a safe and tasty way for them to cool off.
Pass The Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter is something that will have your dogs smacking their lips all day long, but there are some things to know before giving it to them. It can be a healthy treat if it's done in moderation. Veterinarians recommend feeding them plain, unsalted peanut butter because extra ingredients such as salt and sugar can have adverse effects.
This creamy snack can be used to help them take medication or reward them for good behavior. It's best to remember that peanut butter does contain high amounts of fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain and an upset stomach.
It's Time To Whip Some Eggs
A common human food that can make a positive difference in a dog's diet is eggs. They are very high in protein and contain essential amino and fatty acids. Eggs are great for helping an upset stomach and nausea, but there are a few things to know before preparing them for your dog.
Eggs should never be served raw because they can have salmonella and lead to a biotin deficiency, which affects skin, digestion, metabolism, and cells. They should also be prepared without milk or butter because most dogs are lactose intolerant.
Let Them Eat Turkey
The American Kennel Club says turkey is full of beneficial nutrients like protein, riboflavin, and phosphorus. It's a popular holiday dish and sandwich meat, but it can also be a dog-friendly snack—if prepared correctly.
Turkey is safe for dogs to eat, but it needs to be plain and fully cooked. Skip the butter, spices, and seasonings, as these can upset your dog's digestive system or harm their pancreas. And always take out any bones—they can be dangerous, leading to choking or internal damage.
Put Some Shrimp On The Barbie
Dogs shouldn't eat large amounts of shrimp, but a few every now and then have some proven health benefits. Shrimp contain vitamins B12 and B3, anti-oxidants, and phosphorus, which helps with metabolism, energy, blood circulation, bones, and brain function. They are also low in fat, calories, carbohydrates, and cholesterol.
Before feeding them to your dog it's best to steam them thoroughly and remove any shells to prevent choking. Do not cook them in oils or butter because that provides unnecessary fats that can be harmful to their digestive system.
When Life Gives You Lemons And Limes
Dogs cannot tolerate eating lemons or limes. The skins of these citrus fruits include a substance called psoralen. Eating just small amounts of psoralen can cause vomiting and gastrointestinal issues, but the more serious symptoms come if larger amounts are ingested. These can include muscle tremors, difficulty walking, liver failure, and fatality.
Purina claims that when a dog eats something poisonous it will taste bitter because that's how they used to survive before they were domesticated. Dogs may continue to eat lemons because they aren't necessarily turned off by the sour taste.
Chop Up Some Broccoli
Dogs don't necessarily need to have large quantities of fruits and vegetables to remain healthy, but it doesn't hurt to incorporate some into their daily meals and snacks. Broccoli is something dogs can eat both raw and cooked because it's rich in fiber and vitamin C and low in fat.
Broccoli should always be served plain without oils or seasonings and cut into small pieces to avoid choking. The florets of the broccoli contain isothiocyanates, which can cause digestive issues if consumed in large amounts. Combining broccoli with some white rice and lean protein can work as a healthy meal option.
Don't Let Your Dog Go Near Cinnamon
Even though cinnamon isn't toxic to dogs it can still cause many adverse effects. The Pet Poison Hotline mentions that cinnamon and other cinnamon-related foods can potentially cause skin and digestive irritation and hurt the inside of their mouths. Inhaling the powder can make them cough, choke, and prevent them from breathing.
Smaller breeds are at more of a risk because they can't handle large dosages as well as bigger breeds. Eating cinnamon can also lower a dog's blood sugar levels and lead to vomiting, uneven heart rates, and liver disease.
The Great Benefits Of Salmon
Salmon is a staple in several human diets and it can work wonders for dogs. They should only eat it cooked without any seasonings, extra oils, lemon, or butter. It's also important for owners to remove any of the little bones that may be hiding to prevent choking.
There are a ton of nutritious parts to salmon such as the omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and protect their skin and fur. Dogs who eat raw salmon may be at risk because there are sometimes poisonous parasites inside, which can be fatal.
Avoid Avocado At All Costs
There's a lot of discussion around whether avocados are safe for dogs, but most experts agree it's better to avoid them entirely. The biggest issue is a toxin called persin, which is found in the pit, skin, and even the fruit itself.
Persin can cause serious problems for dogs, including vomiting, heart issues, and in extreme cases, it can be life-threatening. On top of that, avocados are high in fat, which can lead to digestive upset, put stress on the pancreas, and promote weight gain. To be on the safe side, it's best to skip giving avocado to your dog.
Say Cheese!
While most dogs tend to be lactose intolerant one of the few dairy products they can eat is cheese. It's filled with protein, calcium, vitamins A and B, and essential fatty acids. Most veterinarians recommend only feeding dogs cheese in moderation because too much dairy can give them gastrointestinal problems.
Cheese is also perfect to use to motivate your dog's good behavior or as a little snack during the day. Experts stress that moderation is key with cheese because of its high-fat content that can lead to fatal illnesses in dogs.
What Goes Wrong When Dogs Consume Caffeine
Caffeine contains a toxin called theobromine that can cause hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, hyperthermia, seizures, and collapse.
The side effects are very similar to when dogs consume chocolate. The best thing to do if your dog ingests caffeine is to contact a veterinarian who can advise which medication will help them ease their specific symptoms.