Onions, Garlic, Chives & Leeks
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks, all part of the Allium family, contain N-propyl disulfide, a compound dogs cannot digest properly. Consuming these can damage red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Signs of this condition include weakness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and a rapid heart rate.
Xylitol
Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener, is found in chewing gum, sugar-free candies, some peanut butters, toothpaste, chewable vitamins, protein bars, lozenges, and other sugar-free products.
According to Dr. Lisa Fiorenza, DVM, CVA, CVFT, from Longevity Veterinary Center in Whippany, New Jersey, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), leading to seizures, and in high enough concentrations, it may result in liver failure.
Ice Cream, Milk and Other Dairy Products
Many dogs, like humans, are lactose intolerant and lack the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose found in milk and dairy products.
Although dairy isn’t toxic, consuming items like ice cream or milk can cause digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. According to Dr. Lisa Fiorenza, DVM, CVA, CVFT, dairy consumption can also contribute to “leaky gut,” a condition where the gut lining becomes damaged. This can worsen or trigger inflammatory conditions, including skin allergies, bladder inflammation, and arthritis.
Avacados
Avocado, a human favorite, is best kept off your dog’s menu. The skin, leaves, and seeds contain high levels of persin, a toxin that can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and even myocardial damage in dogs.
While the flesh of the avocado contains less persin and small amounts are generally not harmful, it is high in fat and calories. Overconsumption can lead to stomach upset, weight gain, and pancreatitis.
Additionally, the large pit poses a serious choking hazard and can cause gastrointestinal blockages if swallowed, making avocado a risky choice for dogs.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, though the exact substance responsible and why it affects some dogs remain unknown, explains Dr. Lisa Fiorenza, DVM.
“I advise clients never to feed their pets grapes or raisins under any circumstances,” says Dr. Fiorenza. “If ingestion occurs, it should be treated as poisoning, and immediate veterinary care is essential.”
Stone Fruits
Stone fruits like cherries, plums, apricots, and peaches pose serious risks to dogs. Their pits contain cyanide, a toxic substance that, if consumed, can cause symptoms such as rapid breathing, excessive panting, dilated pupils, and shock.
Additionally, the pits are a choking hazard and can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract if swallowed. While the flesh of these fruits is generally safe, it’s best to avoid them entirely, as even a small piece of the pit can be dangerous to your dog’s health.
Nuts
Nuts are generally not a good snack for dogs due to their high fat content, which can cause digestive issues, weight gain, and pancreatitis when consumed in large amounts. Additionally, dogs’ tendency to gulp their food makes whole nuts a choking hazard or a risk for intestinal blockages.
Some nuts pose even greater dangers:
- Macadamia nuts and black walnuts contain unknown toxic compounds that can harm dogs, especially small- to medium-sized breeds. Ingesting even a few nuts can cause vomiting, muscle weakness, tremors, fever, and seizures.
- Almonds are not safe for dogs.
While nuts like peanuts and cashews are less risky, they should only be given occasionally in small amounts (1–2 nuts) and must be plain, without salt or seasoning.
Baked Goods
Many baked goods contain xylitol, a sweetener that can cause dangerously low blood sugar in dogs.
Additionally, baked goods are typically high in fat and sugar, which can lead to upset stomachs, obesity, and pancreatitis, making them unsafe for dogs.
Yeast Dough and Raw Bread Dough
Yeast dough and raw bread dough are dangerous for dogs. The dough can expand in the stomach, causing potentially fatal bloating (gastric dilatation-volvulus).
As the yeast ferments in the dog’s gut, it produces ethanol (alcohol), which can lead to alcohol poisoning, posing serious health risks.
Alcohol
Many dogs are drawn to sweet alcoholic drinks like spiked eggnog, but they should never consume alcohol.
Due to their smaller size, alcohol affects dogs much more severely than humans. Even a small amount can cause alcohol poisoning, with symptoms ranging from lack of coordination and drowsiness to breathing difficulties and even death.
Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine
Chocolate, whether milk, dark, bittersweet, white, or ruby, contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause stomach upset, while larger doses can lead to heart problems, seizures, or death, according to Dr. Fiorenza.
Other caffeine-containing beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks should also be avoided.
Corn on the Cob
While corn itself isn’t harmful to dogs, the cob poses a significant risk.
“Many dogs have eaten a delicious-smelling corn cob and ended up with an intestinal blockage that requires surgery,” says Dr. Fiorenza.
If you want to treat your dog to corn, remove the cob and serve it plain in small amounts.
Salty Foods
High levels of salt can lead to excessive thirst, urination, and, in severe cases, sodium ion poisoning in dogs.
Foods with high salt content include:
- Chips
- Crackers
- Salted nuts
- Cured meats and fish
- Marinated foods
- Canned or frozen entrées
Symptoms of salt poisoning in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, high temperature, and seizures. In severe cases, excessive salt intake can be fatal.
Found on Chewy.com