As a responsible pet owner, you want to share the best with your canine companion, and that includes food. However, not all human foods are safe for dogs. Some can be toxic, leading to severe health issues, while others, though not acutely poisonous, can cause significant digestive distress. Understanding which foods pose a risk is crucial for your dog’s well-being. This guide outlines common human foods that dogs should absolutely not eat, along with explanations of why they are dangerous and what to do if your dog ingests them.
Toxic Foods for Dogs
If your dog has consumed any of the following items, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
These products contain methylxanthines, derived from cacao seeds, which are highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting them can lead to a range of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, irregular heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, death. The toxicity is dose-dependent, meaning smaller dogs or those consuming larger quantities are at greater risk. Darker chocolates, like baking chocolate, contain higher concentrations of methylxanthines, making them more dangerous than milk or white chocolate. If your dog eats chocolate, coffee, or anything with caffeine, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Xylitol
This artificial sweetener is commonly found in sugar-free candies, gum, toothpaste, and some baked goods. For dogs, xylitol is extremely toxic. It triggers a rapid release of insulin, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms can include vomiting, seizures, lethargy, and loss of coordination. In severe cases, it can cause acute liver failure. Always check ingredient labels on products intended for human consumption to ensure they are xylitol-free before allowing your dog near them.
Macadamia Nuts
While a favorite snack for many humans, macadamia nuts are poisonous to dogs. Even a small amount can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, lethargy, and an elevated body temperature. The exact toxic component is unknown, but the effects are serious enough to warrant complete avoidance.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and their dried form, raisins, are incredibly dangerous for dogs and can cause fatal kidney failure. The specific toxin responsible has not been identified, and alarmingly, some dogs who have previously eaten grapes without issue can be poisoned by them later. Due to this unpredictability and severe risk, it’s best to consider all grapes and raisins toxic and exclude them from your dog’s diet entirely.
Garlic, Onions, and Chives
Belonging to the Allium family, these and other related plants like leeks can be harmful to dogs. The sulfur-containing compounds in these foods can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to a type of anemia known as Heinz body anemia. Signs of this condition include weakness, reduced exercise tolerance, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart and respiratory rates, red-colored urine, collapse, and potentially death. While cats are more sensitive, dogs are also susceptible to these effects.
Alcohol
Dogs are much more sensitive to alcohol than humans. Even small amounts of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol can cause intoxication, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, loss of coordination, tremors, coma, and even death. It’s crucial to keep all alcoholic substances out of your dog’s reach.
Yeast Dough
While fully baked bread is generally safe for dogs in moderation, raw yeast dough can cause serious problems. The yeast ferments in the warm, moist environment of a dog’s stomach, producing large amounts of gas. This can lead to painful bloating and a life-threatening condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat. Furthermore, the fermentation process produces ethanol, which can intoxicate your dog. Even small quantities of uncooked dough can be problematic.
Other Foods That Can Cause Problems
While not acutely toxic in small amounts, these foods can still cause significant health issues for dogs and are best avoided.
Milk and Dairy Products
Many dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. Consuming dairy can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. High-fat dairy products can also trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially severe inflammation of the pancreas.
Salt and Salty Snacks
Excessive salt intake is a toxin for dogs. While an occasional dropped potato chip is unlikely to cause harm, regularly feeding salty snacks can lead to excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. In severe cases, salt poisoning can cause tremors, seizures, and death. Dogs with pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease are particularly sensitive to salt.
Raw Meat, Raw Eggs, and Bones
Feeding raw meat and eggs carries a risk of bacterial contamination, such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can make both your dog and you sick. Raw eggs also contain avidin, an enzyme that can interfere with the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin, potentially leading to skin and coat problems. Raw bones, while seemingly natural, can pose choking hazards, cause intestinal blockages, or even perforate the digestive tract. What food dogs can not eat include these items for good reason.
Citrus
In large quantities, the essential oils and citric acid found in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits can cause gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression in dogs. While an occasional small segment might not cause harm, it’s best to limit their intake and avoid the peels and seeds, which contain higher concentrations of these compounds.
Coconut and Coconut Oil
Small amounts of coconut products are generally not harmful, but they can cause digestive upset and diarrhea due to their fat content. Coconut water is high in potassium, which could be problematic for dogs with pre-existing heart or kidney conditions.
Nuts
Most nuts are high in fat and calories, which can lead to digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis. Macadamia nuts and black walnuts are toxic. Almonds and pecans, while not toxic, should also be avoided due to their high fat content. Other nuts should only be offered in very small quantities and with extreme caution, after thorough research into their safety for dogs. What fruits should a dog not eat often includes many types of nuts.
What Foods Can Dogs Eat Safely?
While many human foods are off-limits, some can be shared with your dog in moderation. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods into your dog’s diet and ensure that any shared human food makes up no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake. Commercially produced dog food is formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet, and overfeeding human foods can disrupt this balance. Stick to safe, dog-appropriate treats and foods to maintain your dog’s health and well-being. Remember, what food that dogs can t eat is a critical part of ensuring their safety.
