What Can Dogs Not Eat? 14 Toxic Foods for Dogs

What foods can dogs not eat? Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones that can harm your pup (some simply dangerous, others truly poisonous)—and what to do if they get into them. 

• Alcohol 
• Avocados 
• Baked goods 
• Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine 
• Corn on the cob 
• Dairy products 
• Grapes and raisins 
• Nuts 
• Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks 
• Raw meat and eggs 
• Salty foods 
• Stone fruits 
• Xylitol 
• Yeast dough and raw bread dough 

Dogs metabolize alcohol much more slowly than humans, making even small amounts dangerous. It depresses the nervous system and can quickly overwhelm your dog’s body, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. 

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs include: 

• Loss of coordination 
• Drowsiness 
• Vomiting 
• Breathing difficulties 
• Seizures 
• Collapse 

The skin, leaves, and seeds of avocados contain high levels of persin, a toxin that can damage the heart and other organs. Avocado flesh contains less persin but is still high in fat and calories. Too much can lead to: 

• Upset stomach 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Weight gain 
• Pancreatitis 

Avocado pits also pose a risk of choking or intestinal blockage. 

Learn more about dogs and avocados. 

Many baked goods contain xylitol, an artificial sweeter that can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Even without xylitol, the high sugar and fat content can trigger stomach upset or pancreatitis. Symptoms of eating too many baked foods can include: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Weakness 
• Abdominal pain 

All forms of chocolate contain theobromine and caffeine, two compounds that can cause stomach upset in smaller doses and more serious issues, like heart problems, seizures, and even death, in higher doses. As a rule of thumb, the darker a chocolate is, the more theobromine it contains and the more dangerous it is. 

Caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, caffeinated tea, and energy drinks should also be avoided. 

Learn more about dogs and chocolate. 

Corn itself isn’t harmful, but the cob poses a significant risk. Corn cobs are indigestible and can cause life-threatening internal blockages if swallowed. If your dog starts vomiting and refuses to eat, take them to the vet immediately. 

If you want to occasionally treat your dog to corn, remove it from the cob and serve it plain. 

Learn more about dogs and corn. 

Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in some dogs, due to a compound called tartaric acid and its salts. 

If your dog eats grapes or raisins, treat it as an emergency and seek veterinary care immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms. 

Learn more about dogs and grapes and raisins. 

Like some people, many dogs are lactose intolerant and lack the enzyme lactase needed to digest milk. Consuming dairy products can lead to digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

Learn more about dogs and ice cream. 

Nuts are high in fat, which can lead to digestive issues, weight gain, and pancreatitis when consumed in large amounts. Plus, dogs often gulp or gobble their food, which often increases the risk of choking or intestinal blockage when eating whole nuts. 

Certain nuts can be toxic to dogs, including: 

• Macadamia nuts 
• Black walnuts  

Learn more about dogs and walnuts. 

Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks all belong to the Allium family. They contain a compound, N-propyl disulfide, that dogs cannot properly metabolize. Ingestion can damage red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia. 

Symptoms of this condition may include: 

• Weakness 
• Vomiting 
• Breathlessness 
• Increased heart rate 

Learn more about dogs and garlic and dogs and onions. 

Raw meat and eggs can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning. Symptoms may appear six to 72 hours after eating the contaminated food and can include: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Loss of appetite 
• Lethargy 
• Abdominal pain 
• Fever 

Raw egg whites also contain avidin, an enzyme that decreases biotin absorption and can lead to skin and coat problems. 

Too much salt can lead to excessive thirst, urination, and, if access to water is restricted, sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, high temperature, and seizures. In severe cases, it can be fatal. 

Avoid giving your dog salty foods like: 

• Chips 
• Crackers 
• Cured meats and fish 
• Marinated foods 
• Frozen entrées 

Cherries, plums, apricots, and peaches contain pits with cyanide, which is toxic. However, a dog would have to chew up and eat a lot of pits before problems would develop. Swallowing the pits can also result in choking or intestinal obstruction. 

Even though the fruit’s flesh is safe in small amounts, it’s best to avoid these fruits altogether. 

Learn more about dogs and peaches, dogs and plums, and dogs and cherries. 

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener often found in chewing gum, sugar-free candies, certain peanut butters, toothpaste, chewable vitamins, protein bars, and other sugar-free foods. 

Xylitol can trigger a dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and lead to seizures and liver failure in dogs. 

Learn more about dogs and xylitol. 

Yeast dough and raw bread dough can expand in the stomach and cause stomach bloating and even a potentially fatal condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus. 

To make matters worse, as the yeast ferments in your dog’s gut, it produces ethanol (alcohol), which can lead to alcohol poisoning. 

Learn more about dogs and sourdough bread. 

While these foods are off limits, there are many human foods you can occasionally treat your dog to. View our full list of human foods dogs can eat.