Safety reference
Human Foods Dogs Should Not Eat — and What to Do If They Do
If your dog has just eaten something on this list, call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control line now — before searching further. Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Evidence reviewed: 20268 min read4 cited sourcesNo sponsored placements
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Key takeaways
- Emergency first: contact your vet, an emergency clinic, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). A consultation fee may apply.
- Highest-concern foods include xylitol, grapes and raisins, chocolate and caffeine, onions/garlic/chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw yeast dough.
- Don't induce vomiting at home unless a veterinarian or poison control expert tells you to.
- Check labels for xylitol (also called birch sugar) in peanut butter, gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste.
- Even safe foods should stay within about 10% of daily calories and be served plain.
If your dog ate something dangerous: do this now
Move your dog away from the source
Remove any remaining food or packaging, and keep the wrapper or label — it helps identify ingredients such as xylitol or cocoa percentage.
Call for professional advice immediately
Your veterinarian or nearest emergency clinic, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Both are staffed 24/7; a consultation fee may apply.
Share the details
What was eaten, the estimated amount, the time, your dog’s weight, and any symptoms so far.
Follow instructions exactly
Do not give salt, hydrogen peroxide or other home remedies, or try to induce vomiting, unless you are specifically told to. Some substances cause more harm coming back up.
Safety note Don’t wait for symptoms
Several of these foods — notably xylitol and grapes/raisins — can cause serious harm before obvious signs appear. Early treatment generally gives the best chance of a good outcome.
The high-concern list
| Food | Why it's harmful | Signs to watch for | Where it hides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xylitol (birch sugar) | Can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and potentially liver damage. | Vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, progressing to seizures. Liver damage can occur within 12–24 hours. | Sugar-free gum and candy, some peanut butters, baked goods, toothpaste, some medications. |
| Grapes, raisins (and currants) | Can cause kidney damage. Tartaric acid is the suspected toxic component. | Vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite, changes in urination. | Trail mix, cereals, baked goods, fruit snacks. |
| Chocolate, coffee, caffeine | Contain methylxanthines. Darker chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are most dangerous; white chocolate least. | Vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst/urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures. | Baking supplies, desserts, coffee grounds, energy drinks, caffeine pills. |
| Onion, garlic, chives (allium family) | Can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia; also gastrointestinal irritation. Risk depends on amount. | GI upset; weakness or pale gums may develop as anemia sets in. | Gravies, soups, seasoning powders, baby food, leftovers. |
| Macadamia nuts | Toxic to dogs; mechanism not fully understood. | Weakness, incoordination, depression, vomiting, tremors, hyperthermia — usually within 12 hours. | Cookies, trail mix, nut butters. |
| Alcohol | Rapidly absorbed; affects the nervous system and blood chemistry. | Vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma. | Drinks, desserts, some sauces. |
| Raw yeast dough | Expands in the stomach (bloat risk, possible twisting) and produces alcohol. | Distended, painful abdomen; signs of alcohol toxicity. | Bread and pizza dough left out to rise. |
| Salt / very salty foods | Excess salt can disturb electrolytes. | Excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures. | Chips, pretzels, homemade play dough, rock salt, seawater. |
| Fatty foods and most nuts | High fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis. | Vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lethargy. | Bacon, meat trimmings, fried food, almonds, pecans, walnuts. |
| Raw meat, raw eggs, bones | Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli; raw egg whites can interfere with vitamin absorption; bones can injure or obstruct the GI tract. | GI upset, choking, straining, vomiting. | Kitchen scraps, raw diets, trash. |
Lower-concern foods that can still cause problems
- Milk and dairy: many dogs don’t produce much lactase, so dairy can cause diarrhea or digestive upset.
- Citrus: stems, leaves, peels and seeds contain citric acid and essential oils; eating small amounts of the fruit is unlikely to cause more than minor stomach upset.
- Coconut and coconut oil: small amounts are unlikely to cause serious harm but may cause loose stools.
- Avocado: according to the ASPCA, avocado is primarily a problem for birds, rabbits, horses and ruminants. For dogs, the pit is a choking and obstruction hazard and the fat content can upset the stomach.
The peanut butter question: checking for xylitol
Peanut butter is a popular dog treat, and most brands don’t contain xylitol — but some do, especially products marketed as sugar-free, low-sugar or ‘keto’. Xylitol may be listed as xylitol, birch sugar, or birch bark extract. Check every new jar, and keep sugar-free gum and mints out of reach (handbags and coat pockets are common sources).
Human foods that are generally fine in small, plain amounts
Many owners like to share food. If you do, these are commonly used as treats when served plain — no seasoning, butter, oil, onion or garlic — and kept within about 10% of your dog’s daily calories, as VCA suggests for treats:
Plain cooked lean meat
Skinless chicken or turkey, cooked through, no bones.
Plain cooked rice or oats
Useful in small amounts; not a balanced meal on its own.
Some vegetables
Carrots, green beans, plain pumpkin purée (not pie filling).
Some fruits
Apple slices without core or seeds, blueberries, banana in small amounts.
Editorial interpretation Individual variation
‘Generally fine’ is not the same as ‘right for every dog’. Dogs with pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney disease or food allergies may need to avoid foods that are harmless for others. Ask your vet if your dog has a medical condition.
Prevention around the home
Simple habits that prevent most incidents
- Store chocolate, raisins, nuts and baking supplies in closed cupboards, not on low shelves or counters.
- Use a lidded or locked trash can — scavenging is a common route to bones, fatty scraps and moldy food.
- Keep bags, coats and backpacks (gum, mints, medications) off the floor.
- Brief guests and children not to feed the dog from the table, especially at holidays.
- Save poison control numbers in your phone now, along with your nearest 24-hour emergency vet.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat grapes or raisins at all?
No. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage in dogs, and the reaction varies unpredictably between individuals. Veterinary sources advise treating any ingestion as potentially serious and contacting a vet or poison control promptly.
How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?
It depends on the type of chocolate and the dog’s size. Darker chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder contain the most methylxanthines; white chocolate the least. Call your vet or poison control with the product label and your dog’s weight — they can assess the risk.
Can dogs eat cooked onions or garlic powder?
No. Cooking or drying doesn’t remove the harmful compounds; powders are concentrated. Risk depends on the amount, but allium vegetables should be avoided.
Is peanut butter safe for dogs?
Plain peanut butter without xylitol is commonly used as an occasional treat. Always check the ingredient list for xylitol or birch sugar, and remember it’s high in fat and calories.
Should I make my dog vomit if they ate something toxic?
Only if a veterinarian or poison control expert tells you to. Inducing vomiting is not appropriate for every substance or every dog, and home methods can cause harm.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — Veterinary organization
- ASPCA. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Veterinary organization
- Pet Poison Helpline. Pet Poison Helpline — Veterinary organization
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Feeding Growing Puppies (treat allowance guidance) — Veterinary hospital
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Vet first
This guide is general information. Your veterinarian knows your dog’s health history and should guide individual decisions.
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