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30 Foods Dogs Should Avoid: Dangerous and Toxic Foods for Dogs

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Dogs love tasty treats. Unknowingly, you could be feeding your dog certain people food that is considered very dangerous for your pooch. Due to the fact that dogs love treats, you may tend to offer them a small piece of almost anything you eat. Dogs are rather opportunistic and will not hesitate to get their paws on tasty treats. However, not all people food is equally safe for dogs.

 


As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to ensure what your dog is eating doesn’t come back to hamper them. If you ever thought ignorance to be bliss, it really does not apply to this specific situation. 

 


We have gone ahead and formulated a comprehensive list that you can rely upon to ensure the safety of your beloved pooch. It is good that you stumbled upon this article, for it will work to inform you on the various food that you should look to avoid at all costs, to ensure good health and wellbeing for your dog. 

 


Hence, without further adieu, let’s dive into the list of foods that dogs should avoid. These are all people foods and drinks that if consumed by dogs could have dangerous outcomes. 

 

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1. Grapes and Raisins

Raisins are ingredients in many foods. Whether it is a cake that you are baking or biscuits you are making, you may have instances where you drop a raisin or two on the floor and carelessly avoid picking it up. This could allow room for your pooch to come gobble those raisins off the floor. 

 


Raisins contain an active ingredient that is considered a toxin in the bodies of dogs. Both grapes and raisins contain this active ingredient and can lead to severe liver damage and kidney failure. 

 


Though accidental eating is understandable, what you should really avoid is feeding them grapes and raisins as a treat. Some dogs love grapes, but that doesn’t mean they are good for them. The compounds in grapes and raisins could have adverse long term effects which could hamper health and shorten life span. 

 


2. Cooked Bones

Though your dog loves bones, it isn’t a good idea to serve your dog cooked bones. This is because cooked bones tend to be softer than raw bones and can easily splinter. 

 


Though raw bones can be a nice treat for your dog to chew on, cooked bones in large quantities can cause constipation. What is worse is that the sharp edges of these cooked bones when swallowed can cause perforation of the gut, which can be serious. It could even lead to accidental fatality, which is why cooked bones should be avoided at all costs. 

 


Do not feed your dog cooked meat with the bone intact. These bones are a serious choking hazard and the sharp edges may cause irreversible damage to your pooch’s insides. 

 


3. Alchohol

You may have gotten so drunk at some point that you thought it would be funny to share a shot of tequila with your pooch. You may have thought this to be funny or a cool experiment, but goes without saying that you are placing your pooch’s wellbeing at risk. 

 


Alcohol can have an enormous impact on the well-being of your dog, even in small quantities. Obviously, one of the first reasons why alcohol should never be fed to dogs is the fact that it causes intoxication.

 


Intoxication aside, it can also cause a host of other issues which you normally don’t find in humans. It can lead to sickness and can cause diarrhoea. Alcohol can even damage the central nervous system, leading to long term health complications.

 


Though you may have thought serving your dog alcohol to be a funny thing to do or a cool experiment, if you care about the wellbeing of your dog, you should not feed it alcohol. After all, you would never feed a young infant alcohol, so you shouldn’t feed your dog alcohol either. 

 

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4. Artificial Sweeteners

We love sweet stuff however hate how they make us gain weight. This is why artificial sweeteners have gained so much traction in recent years. You can find various products such as sweet treats, drinks, chewing gum and various sugar-free products in the market, all of which contain artificial sweeteners. 

 


In fact, they are laced with a specific artificial sweetener known as Xylitol. Xylitol causes the release of insulin in the body. If your dog eats food containing Xylitol, they could go into hypoglycaemia, which is low blood sugar and can even lead to liver damage. Furthermore, the ingredient is linked to causing blood clotting disorders in pooches, which is why it is important that you read the label carefully and avoid foods that contain artificial sweeteners.

 


Even certain peanut butter contain Xylitol. Hence, it is very important that you check each and every product before you serve your dog, for it is the best and only way to ensure the proper safety of your pooch. 

 


5.  Avocado

This tasty fruit is great for humans, however is toxic for dogs. Avocado contains a toxic substance called Persin which is found in the leaves, fruit and seed of avocados. 

 


Persin is considered toxic for dogs and can lead to a host of issues including vomiting and diarrhoea. Their bodies are simply unable to process persin as humans do and lead to adverse reactions which could hamper your dog’s health. 

 


If you didn’t know already, you now do, avocadoes are a big no-no for dogs and you should most certainly avoid feeding your dog this fruit, to prevent both short term effects and long term damage.

 


6. Corn on the Cob

Don’t get us wrong, you can feed your dog corn and it will be properly digested in your dog’s gut. However, you shouldn’t ever serve your dog corn on the cob. 

 


Though the corn can be properly digested by your dog, the cob itself poses a health hazard and can lead to intestinal blockage. 

 


If you are serving your dog corn, make sure to remove them from the cob and refrain from ever serving them corn on the cob. Don’t allow your lazy nature to get the best of you. The cob can be dangerous and should most certainly should be avoided to ensure proper safety. 

 

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7. Macadamia Nuts

You may have found yourself munching on a few Macadamia nuts and may have thought to offer your pooch a few. You may have even turned this into a practice. However, Macadamia nuts can be very dangerous for dogs and should be avoided at all costs. 

 


Macadamia nuts contain a toxin that is harmful to dogs. Though they are considered safe and healthy for humans to consume, the same does not apply to dogs.

 


The toxin in Macadamia nuts can affect your dog’s muscles and central nervous system. This can lead to panting and exhausting, weakness and even swollen limbs. 

 


Macadamia nuts are considered poisonous for dogs and should be avoided to prevent long term damage and even fatality. 

 


8. Chocolate

Forget Macadamia nuts, how often have you been sitting with a bar of chocolate and have considered offering your beloved pooch a bite-sized piece? It can be very enticing for dog owners to assume chocolate to be safe food for dogs, however, you couldn’t be more wrong. 

 


Chocolate is poisonous for dogs for they contain a stimulant known as theobromine. Theobromine is found in the highest concentration in dark chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. 

 


Theobromine is considered toxic for dogs and can lead to long term damage. It can lead to a host of health issues including kidney failure. Though you may have dismissed chocolate to be a safe treat for your dog, you mustn’t have been aware up until now.

 


In large quantities, chocolate can be very dangerous and can serve fatal. Do not leave chocolate at your dog’s reach. Chances are they will eat it and suffer disastrous consequences. 

 


9. Onions, Garlic and Chives

The whole of the onion family is considered toxic for dogs. Whether it is dry, raw or cooked form, they are considered toxic and can cause a host of issues for your dog. 

 


The compounds in onions, garlic and chives can cause gastrointestinal irritation and can even damage red blood cells. This leads to improper digestion and blood circulation.

 


What is tricky is the fact that signs of illness do not appear immediately after consumption. It could take a few days for the levels of toxicity to rise to cause illness. Hence, if your dog does consume anything within the onion family by accident, consult a vet without waiting for signs and be on the lookout for signs of gastrointestinal irritation.

 

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10. Cinnamon

Though cinnamon isn’t considered toxic for dogs, it is yet another food that should be avoided. The oils in cinnamon could work to irritate the inside of your dog’s mouth and can make them very uncomfortable and in certain circumstances sick. 

 


Cinnamon can also work to lower your dog’s blood sugar levels and can cause to diarrhoea and vomiting. It can cause an increase or decrease in the heart rate and can even lead to more serious complications such as liver disease. 

 


Cinnamon inhaled in powder form by accident can be equally dangerous. It can cause difficulty breathing, can lead to coughing and may even cause choking. 

 


11. Ice Cream

Yet another treat that you may have silently treated your dog to. As tasty and refreshing as ice cream can be, it contains a whole lot of sugar, which can be very dangerous for your dog. 

 


Though ice cream isn’t considered toxic, it is best to avoid sharing ice cream with your dog. This is further true if your dog is lactose intolerant. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you would have to avoid all dairy products, not just ice cream. 

 


Many dogs are usually lactose intolerant and can have reactions to milk and ice cream. They could suffer from gastrointestinal complications and may result in a sick pooch. 

 


12. Coffee, Tea and Other Caffeine

Do not serve your dog caffeine in hopes of perking them up. Caffeine can be fatal for dogs and should be avoided at all costs. 

 


Though it is less likely that you would be serving your dog coffee or tea, they may accidentally ingest raw coffee beans or grounds. If this happens, you should consult a vet as soon as possible and not sit around and wait for signs to appear. Your vet would be able to properly address all concerns and treat your dog for caffeine poisoning. 

 


This applies to cocoa and chocolate too as mentioned within earlier stages of this article. Both cocoa and chocolate contain toxic compounds that can serve as fatal for dogs and should be not taken lightly. 

 


It is important that you understand that you shouldn’t be feeding your dog cola or other energy drinks. Some cold medicines and pain killers also contain caffeine, hence you should be very careful when looking to address health concerns. Always consult a vet and go with their direction and don’t simply try to treat your dog’s health issues on your own. 

 

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13. Milk

Though some dogs can drink milk without any issues, most dogs are lactose intolerant. This means they have to avoid milk to prevent reactions to lactose which is found in milk. 

 


Milk can cause diarrhoea and other digestive problems for your pooch and may even trigger food allergies. This could cause them to itch and may increase with increased consumption. 

 


Milk and other milk products all contain lactose which is the compound that causes the issue. Though the compounds in milk are not toxic and would rarely cause fatality, it can lead to serious health complications which are best avoided. 

 


14. Persimmons, Peaches and Plums

These fruits all contain seeds and pits which pose some sort of hazard for your pooch. The seeds of persimmons can lead to issues in your dog’s small intestine. It could also cause intestinal blockage, which will resultantly lead to other health complications. 

 


This is similarly true for the pits of peaches and plums. Further to this, peaches and plums contain cyanide, which is poisonous for humans and dogs alike. Though people know how to eat these fruits without damaging their health, dogs do not. Hence it is very important that you are extra aware when it comes to these fruits and that you do not leave your dog with access to them to safeguard their wellbeing. 

 


15. Raw Eggs

Though the raw diet for dogs is considered a popular trend, feeding your dog uncooked eggs can pose a health concern. 

 


This is because eggs in their uncooked form may contain bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli. It is best that you avoid feeding your dog raw eggs and consult a vet before you start feeding them a raw diet including raw eggs. 

 

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16. Raw Meat and Fish

Much like raw eggs, raw meat and fish should also be a reason for concern for many dog owners. This is because raw meat and fish may contain bacteria that can lead to food poisoning. 

 


Certain fish such as salmon, shad or trout may contain parasites that cause ‘fish disease’ or ‘salmon poisoning disease.’

 


The poisoning caused by raw meat and fish is treatable, however, you must act right away. The very first signs of poisoning may include, fever, vomiting and big lymph nodes. 

 


It is best to fully cook the fish and meat to prevent parasites such as those found in raw fish from hampering your pooch’s wellbeing.  

 


17. Salt

Salt makes us thirsty and this is equally true for your dog. Apart from the fact that it will make your dog thirsty, sharing salty snacks with your dog could even lead to more serious concerns such as sodium ion poisoning.

 


Symptoms of sodium ion poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, tremors, high temperature, seizures and can even lead to death. 

 


When it comes to preparing your dog’s food, if you ever thought that your dog would like the added flavour and decide to add some salt into the dish, please refrain. Your dog does not care for the taste of salt and feeding them salt on a more frequent basis could seriously put their lives at risk. 

 


18. Sugary Foods

Too much sugar is considered bad for humans so why should it be any different when it comes to dogs? Though sugary food do not contain toxins, they do stand to raise blood glucose levels and can lead to insulin resistance.

 


Your dog could develop high blood sugar and can face issues with weight. Too much sugar is even bad for your pooch’s teeth. 

 


At the end of the day, much like humans, feeding your pooch too much sugar will result in weight gain and can also lead to more long term health complications such as diabetes, which is why they should be avoided. 

 

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19. Yeast Dough

Bread dough needs to rise before it is baked. This is exactly what will happen in your pooch’s gut if they accidentally eat some yeast dough. 

 


The dough could swell inside your dog and can lead to the stretching of your dog’s abdomen. As you can imagine, this can be very painful for dogs.

 


Further to this, the yeast that ferments the dough will lead to making alcohol in your dog’s gut, which could result in alcohol poisoning. Much like serving your dog alcohol, if your dog consumes yeast dough, your dog could experience gastrointestinal complications. 

 


20. People Medicine

People medicine is made for people and is not intended for dogs. In fact, people medicine may even work to worsen the situation and can make them very sick. 

 


Similar to how you keep medication away from the reach of children, ensure that you keep them away from your dog’s reach too. Do not give your dog over the counter medication, unless your vet advises you to do so. 

 


Ingredients such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen is found commonly in cold medicine and pain relievers. These compounds can be deadly for dogs, which is an example of a reason why you should never give your pooch people medicine. 

 


21. Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Large amounts of baking powder and baking soda can be highly toxic for dogs. You should make sure to keep these ingredients in a place that your dog cannot access. 

 


If they accidentally consume a large quantity of either baking powder or baking soda, you should most certainly consult a vet at the earliest. 

 


The toxicity level of baking powder and baking soda is very high and can lead to fatality. Hence, do not take it lightly and wait for your pooch to show signs of poisoning. Consult a vet to address the issue immediately. 

 

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22. Nut Meg and Other Spices

Do not add spices to your dog’s meals expecting them to enjoy it more. The last thing you want to do is use spices to add flavour to your dog’s meals. Your dog doesn’t care for these spices and can often be very dangerous for them. 

 


For instance, nutmeg in large quantities can be very toxic for dogs. Apart from adding them to their meals, you should also ensure that you store spices away from your dog’s reach. 

 


Do not leave spices on lower shelves of the pantry which can be accessed by your dog. Use higher shelves to store these spices and if they consume any spices by accident, consult a vet for advice immediately. 

 


23. Asparagus

Though certain vegetables are safe for dogs, asparagus for instance isn’t. Though the vegetable isn’t toxic, they do not have sufficient nutritional value to make them useful.

 


Further to this, the slimy nature of the vegetable makes them a choking hazard that your dog could choke from. It is best to avoid this vegetable and consider other safe vegetables that are better for your dog’s consumption. 

 


24. Leeks

Leeks is yet another vegetable that is considered dangerous for dogs. The vegetable can cause immediate vomiting, an upset stomach, nausea and even diarrhoea. 

 


Consuming a large quantity of this vegetable can cause the red blood cells in your pooch’s body to rupture. This can lead to ineffective oxygen delivery and can lead to panting and exhaustion. 

 


Leeks though not toxic can cause serious harm to your dog. It is for certain a vegetable that should be avoided to better safeguard your dog’s wellbeing. 

 

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25. Tomatoes

Though ripened tomatoes can be consumed safely by dogs, the green parts of the plant contain a toxic substance known as solanine. 

 


Though your dog needs a high dose of solanine to get sick, unripe tomatoes are yet another vegetable that should be avoided. 

 


If you have a garden patch with tomatoes, it is best to place a barrier so your dog is unable to reach unripe tomatoes. Though a large amount of solanine is needed to cause severe toxicity, it is best to take precautions where needed. 

 


26. Rhubarb

This vegetable is considered toxic for dogs and should not be consumed. It can cause a host of issues and can lead to increased salivation and drooling. 

 


The leaves of this vegetable can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and irritation of the mouth. If you are growing rhubarb in your home garden, it is best to keep it away from your dog’s reach. We are not saying that your dog is going to go ahead and eat rhubarb leaves, but it is best to be safe than sorry. 

 


Do not feed your dog this vegetable. Stick to safer vegetables that are considered better for dogs. For a comprehensive list of vegetables that are considered safe for dogs, read this article, linked herewith.

 


27. Wild Mushrooms

Dogs simply do not need mushrooms in their diet. Though most mushrooms are considered safe for dogs to eat, you should avoid feeding them wild mushrooms. 

 


Most store-bought mushrooms are not poisonous for dogs, however certain wild mushrooms that you find in the garden maybe. 

 


If you allow your dog to play outside and do have a space with access to wild mushrooms, be on the lookout for signs of poisoning including vomiting and diarrhoea and consult a vet at the earliest for a proper diagnosis. 

 

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28. Cherries

Cherries are yet another fruit that is considered dangerous for dogs. Cherries contain cyanide which is toxic for dogs. 


The cyanide in cherries works to disrupt the cellular oxygen transport which means that your dog’s blood cells will not be able to get enough oxygen. As a result, your dog could experience difficulty breathing.

 

Dilated pupils and red gums are signs of cyanide poisoning. Be on the lookout for signs of poisoning and consult a vet for direction if suspicious. 

 


29. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits including lemons, limes and grapefruit can all cause upset stomachs. Though they aren’t toxic, they do pose a health hazard. 

 


Citrus fruits can make your pooch sick and should be avoided. Though fruits can be a great treat for dogs, you want to refrain from citrus fruits which obviously have their drawbacks. 

 


For a list of fruits that are considered safe for dogs, read this article, linked herewith

 


30. Wild Berries

Though most types of berries are considered safe for dogs, wild berries are not. They can cause many issues and complications, which is why they should be avoided. 

 


If your dog has access to the outdoors, they may accidentally ingest a toxic wild berry. If you suspect that your dog has eaten a wild berry, do not hesitate to consult your vet at the earliest. 

 


Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme lethargy, tremors and even seizures. They can also cause excessive drooling and can result in trouble breathing. 

 


To Conclude

There you go, a list of people food that you should look to actively avoid to prevent them from ruining your pooch’s day. As you may have realised, not all people food are equally safe for dogs. Some are rather common foods that you may have not suspected to be unsafe, such as chocolate, while others can cause havoc through accidental consumption. 

 


It is important that you as the pet owner are aware of the types of food that you should not be feeding your dog. We aimed to provide you with a comprehensive list that you can rely on to better protect your pooch’s wellbeing. 

 


If you have been feeding your pooch anything on this list, it is high time you stop and assess the damage. You could be causing long term damage and in certain cases cheating death. 

 


If you suspect that your pooch is suffering from poisoning or is showing signs of sickness or poisoning due to something they consumed, do not wait around for the signs to disappear or for your pooch to heal himself. Consult a vet at the earliest and seek the attention that is required to better safeguard your pooch’s health. 

 


We hope after reading this word to word, you have a good idea of the types of food that you shouldn’t be feeding your dog. We aimed to provide you with a reliable source of information that you can use to inform yourself, to make you better as a dog owner.

 


Happy Petting!

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