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But do we know why, what will happen, or even what we should do if our beloved pup eats one of these many dangerous foods?
Plus, there are some foods we have been warned away from feeding our dogs, like dairy, but we also know many dogs that love cheese and ice cream.
So, it begs the question of how dangerous are some of these foods some dogs eat?
Below I’ve created a list of foods that answers that question and more.
What Foods Dogs Should Avoid
1. Chocolate – Can Be Deadly
The two main toxic properties in chocolate are the methylxanthines theobromine and caffeine.
The more concentrated the cacao in the chocolate, the more toxic it is, the least toxic is white chocolate.
Adverse effects are noticeable within 6-12 hours after ingestion[1].
20 mg/kg – Mild fffects can be seen
40–50 mg/kg – Cardiotoxic fffects may be seen
≥60 mg/kg – Seizures may occur
Symptoms
Excessive thirst
GI upset – Diarrhea and vomiting
Distended abdomen
Restlessness
Hyperactivity
Premature ventricular contractions
Lack of coordination
Tremors
Seizures
Pancreatitis
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Contact your vet as soon as you know your dog has consumed chocolate. If your dog is presenting any of the symptoms above you will want to bring them into the vet immediately.
2. Bones – Can Be Deadly
Fake bones can be a great choice, though!
Bones can:
Be a choking hazard
Cause an intestinal obstruction
Cause internal punctures in the intestinal walls
Symptoms
The common signs your dog has an internal blockage or bleeding are:
Lethargy
Constipation
Lack of appetite
Vomiting
Bloody stool
Distended abdomen
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If you know or suspect your dog has eaten a bone, you should contact your vet immediately.
They will advise you whether you should wait and give it time to see if it will pass on its own, or may instruct you to come in and have your dog examined.
3. Dairy – GI Upset and/or Food Allergies or Sensitivities
Dogs lack the lactase enzyme that’s needed to break down dairy products[2].
Some dogs can process dairy better than other dogs.
Additionally, dogs can suffer from food allergies or sensitivities from dairy.
Symptoms
GI upset like diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence.
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If your dog has a severe reaction, you will want to contact your veterinarian; otherwise, most upset stomachs will pass in a day or two.
If your dog is allergic to dairy and shows signs of being itchy, contact your vet to find out proper Diphenhydramine, aka Benadryl, dosage.
4. Xylitol – Can Be Deadly
Xylitol is a sugar replacement commonly found in foods like gum, sugarfree foods, peanut butter, toothpaste, and baked goods.
Xylitol can increase insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, which can cause kidney failure.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Lethargy
Loss of coordination
Weakness
Seizures
Collapse
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If your dog eats food containing xylitol, then you should call your vet immediately.
If it’s after hours, a holiday, or weekend, contact your local emergency vet.
5. Grapes, Raisins, Currants, and Sultanas – Can Be Deadly
Oddly, why these fruits are toxic to dogs is unknown, but what is known is that the dried versions like raisins are the most poisonous.
Keep in mind if your dog eats foods containing raisins, like cinnamon bread or hot cross buns, those are equally as dangerous.
If it can be done easily and quickly, grab a sample of the mushroom to show the vet, then contact your vet immediately.
Your vet may induce vomiting and treat your dog with charcoal.
Additionally, fluids and further monitoring may be required.
16. Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and Yeast – Severe GI issues
Chemical leavening agents can cause severe stomach issues as well as nervous system problems.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Spasms
Seizures
Cardiac problems
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Contact your vet immediately if your dog has ingested the above leavening chemicals.
They may choose to purge your dog’s system based upon the size of your dog and the amount of ingested.
Note: This does not include baked goods containing these ingredients. Traditionally, there are only small amounts in these items and often not enough to be an issue.
17. Rhubarb Leaves – Can Be Dangerous
Rhubarb leaves contain soluble oxalate crystals, which are poisonous if large amounts of leaves are consumed[11].
Symptoms
Drooling
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Weakness
Tremors
Bloody urine
Increased thirst and urination
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If your dog consumes a large number of rhubarb leaves or shows any of the above symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
18. Cat Food – Can cause health issues if fed over an extended amount of time
Cat food isn’t toxic, but it isn’t a balanced diet for dogs, especially when it comes to fat, protein, and fiber content.
Additionally, it lacks the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients.
Symptoms
Obesity
Pancreatitis
Diarrhea
Vomiting
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If your dog eats a bowl of cat food, it’s nothing to be concerned about.
However, if your pup is only eating cat food, contact your vet to find a more palatable balanced diet for your dog.
19. Fat Trimmings and Butter – Can Cause Pancreatitis
Fatty foods such as fat trimmings from a steak, stick of butter, or fast food can cause your dog to have anything from a mild upset stomach to a severe bout of pancreatitis[12].
If symptoms are minor, in-home monitoring is generally enough.
Additionally, withholding food for a bit may be in order until your dog’s stomach has calmed down. Then, starting back with a bland diet is best.
However, for more severe reactions, veterinary intervention may be required.
If your pooch is suffering from pancreatitis, it is best to bring them to the vet immediately
20. Hops – Can Be Deadly
Hops can cause malignant hyperthermia, which means the dog’s internal body temperature rises to dangerous levels[13].
If malignant hyperthermia occurs, it can cause severe and permanent damage to your dog’s organs and brain.
Symptoms
Symptoms can occur between 30 minutes to 12 hours after consumption[14].
Increase in body temperature
Panting
Increased breathing
Stomach upset vomiting or diarrhea
Increase in heart rate
Restlessness
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Contact your vet immediately.
They will likely want to induce vomiting and use charcoal to clean your dog’s systems.
21. Raw Meat, Fish, and Eggs – Can Be Dangerous
Raw meat, fish, and eggs all have the potential of carrying salmonella and E. coli[15].
Also, raw eggs have avidin, an enzyme, negatively impacting the body’s ability to absorb biotin, which can lead to issues with your dog’s skin and coat.
Symptoms
Fever
Shock
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Anorexia
Dehydration
Mucus in stool
Abnormally fast heart rate
Swollen lymph nodes
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If you suspect your dog is suffering from food poisoning, you must contact your vet.
Unfortunately, food poisoning doesn’t show up immediately after consumption, so if you know your dog has eaten raw meat, it is critical you monitor their health at home over the next few days.
22. Salt – Sodium Ion Poisoning Can Be Fatal
Too much salt causes excessive thirst, but can also cause sodium ion poisoning.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Tremors
Diarrhea
Depression
Seizures
Increased body temperature
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Contact your vet if your dog has eaten a significant amount of salt.
Excessive salt consumption usually occurs if your dog gets into potato chips, pretzels, and other salty snacks.
23. Tobacco – Can Be Deadly
All forms of tobacco, such as cigarettes, chew, pipe tobacco, nicotine patches, and Nicorette gum, can cause tobacco poisoning in dogs.
Symptoms
Lowered heart and respiratory rates that transforms to higher heart and respiratory rates
Urinary incontinence
Uncontrolled defecation
Tremors and seizures
Paralysis
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Contact your vet immediately.
They will need to assist your dog in purging their system of the poison.
24. Corn on the Cob – Blockage and Choking Hazard
Corn kernels are safe, besides the possibility of a food allergy or sensitivity.
But the cob is where the issues are since they can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Constipation
Distended abdomen
Restlessness
Abdominal discomfort
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If you see your dog eat a large piece of corn cob, contact your vet.
Depending on the size of your dog and the corn cob, your vet will determine the best course of action.
25. Medications for Humans – Can Be Deadly
Many drugs safe for humans are not safe for dogs.
Some of the more common pills that are toxic to dogs are[16]:
Antidepressants
Ibuprophen
Naproxen
Acetaminophen
Indomethacin
Ambien
ACE Inhibitors
Beta-Blockers
Adderall
These are just the top 10 dangerous medications, as noted by the AKC.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the medication, but the common symptoms are:
Weakness
Stumbling
Lack of coordination
Vomiting
Slowed or labored breathing
Lethargy
Low blood pressure
Loss of appetite
Restlessness
Painful abdomen
Jaundice
Agitation
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Contact your vet immediately.
They will need to induce vomiting and use charcoal to remove any chemical remnants.
26. Black Walnuts – Stomach Upset, Neurological Issues, and Possibly Fatal
Walnuts are a choking hazard, but some varieties are also toxic.
Black, Japanese, and English walnuts can all cause GI upset.
Additionally, moldy black walnuts have tremorgenic mycotoxins, which can cause neurological issues[17].
Symptoms
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Seizures
Neurological issues
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If your dog has eaten a whole walnut, contact your vet so they can advise the next appropriate step.
If your dog has eaten a moldy walnut, it is essential to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian.
27. Spicy Peppers – GI Upset
Spicy peppers are not toxic, but the capsaicin can cause significant GI irritation.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal discomfort
Discomfort defecating
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
If your pup has eaten the pepper, you need to wait and see how they react.
If they have excessive vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to call your vet for supportive medicine such as anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea medications.
28. Nutmeg – Severe Stomach Upset and Seizures
Nutmeg contains a chemical, myristicin, that is toxic to dogs[18].
Large amounts of nutmeg can cause severe reactions, but even small amounts can cause mild side effects.
Symptoms
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hallucinations
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Disorientation
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Symptoms can last a couple of days, and unless the symptoms are severe (hallucinations, increased heart rate, etc.), you can usually provide proper care to your dog at home.
If your dog is experiencing severe effects, you will want to get your dog into the vet immediately.
29. Sugar – Adverse Effects Over Time
Though sugar isn’t toxic, it does contribute to obesity and diabetes.
Symptoms
Signs of diabetes in dogs include:
Excessive thirst and urination
Loss of appetite
Dehydration
Loss of muscle & weakness
Weight loss
Cataracts
Lethargy
What to Do If Your Dog Ingests It
Small amounts of sugar are not harmful, but if your pup gets into the sugar bowl, it’s best to consult your vet to figure out the best course of action.
It is not known what in the macadamia nut is poisonous, just that it only impacts dogs[5].
Chemical leavening agents can cause severe stomach issues as well as nervous system problems.
Cat food isn’t toxic, but it isn’t a balanced diet for dogs, especially when it comes to fat, protein, and fiber content.
