Toxic foods (call a vet if eaten)
| Food | Verdict | Main danger |
|---|---|---|
| 🍫 Chocolate | Toxic | Methylxanthines can cause vomiting, restlessness, a racing heart, tremors and seizures |
| ☕ Coffee | Toxic | Caffeine overstimulates the heart and nervous system |
| 🧄 Garlic | Toxic | Damages red blood cells and can cause anemia |
| 🍇 Grapes | Toxic | Can cause acute kidney injury in dogs |
| 🌰 Macadamia Nuts | Toxic | Cause weakness, wobbliness, tremors and fever |
| 🟤 Nutmeg | Toxic | Myristicin affects the nervous system |
| 🧅 Onions | Toxic | Damage red blood cells (Heinz body anemia) |
| 🍇 Raisins | Toxic | Can cause acute kidney injury |
Also toxic but not in our food list: xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets), alcohol, raw yeast dough and caffeine pills.
Risky foods (avoid or limit)
| Food | Verdict | Main danger |
|---|---|---|
| 🌰 Almonds | Caution | Hard to digest; can cause vomiting and diarrhea |
| 🥑 Avocado | Caution | The pit can cause choking or a serious intestinal blockage |
| 🥓 Bacon | Caution | Very high fat can trigger pancreatitis |
| 🧈 Butter | Caution | High fat can trigger pancreatitis, especially in small breeds and dogs with a history of it |
| 🍒 Cherries | Caution | Pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides |
| 🍂 Cinnamon | Caution | Powder can irritate the mouth and lungs if inhaled |
| 🍟 French Fries | Caution | Fat and oil can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis |
| 🍊 Grapefruit | Caution | Peel and pith contain irritating oils and psoralens |
| 🍖 Ham | Caution | Very high sodium |
| 🌰 Hazelnuts | Caution | Round shape is a choking and blockage risk |
| 🌭 Hot Dogs | Caution | High in sodium and fat |
| 🍨 Ice Cream | Caution | Lactose can cause gas, vomiting and diarrhea |
| 🍋 Lemons | Caution | Citric acid can cause vomiting and diarrhea |
| 🍋 Limes | Caution | Peel contains essential oils and psoralens |
| 🧀 Mac and Cheese | Caution | Fat and cheese can cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis |
| 🍡 Marshmallows | Caution | Sugar-free versions may contain xylitol, which is an emergency |
| 🍄 Mushrooms | Caution | Some wild mushrooms (such as Amanita species) cause liver failure and death |
| 🌰 Pecans | Caution | Moldy pecans can contain mycotoxins that cause tremors or liver damage |
| 🥒 Pickles | Caution | High sodium can cause excessive thirst, vomiting and, in large amounts, salt poisoning |
| 🥜 Pistachios | Caution | Shells can cause choking or intestinal blockage |
| 🍕 Pizza | Caution | Sauce usually contains garlic and onion |
| 🍑 Plums | Caution | Pits contain amygdalin and can cause cyanide poisoning if chewed |
| 🍎 Pomegranate | Caution | Tannins commonly cause vomiting and diarrhea |
| 🥔 Potato Chips | Caution | High salt; large amounts can cause salt toxicity |
| 🥨 Pretzels | Caution | High sodium in salted pretzels |
| 🍅 Tomatoes | Caution | Green tomatoes, stems, leaves and the plant contain solanine and tomatine |
| 🌰 Walnuts | Caution | Moldy walnuts (often fallen nuts in the yard) can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures |
What to do if your dog ate a toxic food
- Note what and how much was eaten, when, and your dog's weight.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661.
- Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
📄 Download the free printable poster (PDF)
Want safe options instead? See human foods dogs can eat.
The 10% treat rule
Treats, including human food, should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories. The "max per day" column assumes a typical 30 lb spayed or neutered adult dog with no other treats. Each food's guide has a calculator for your dog's exact weight.
Frequently asked questions
What foods are toxic to dogs?
Chocolate, Coffee, Garlic, Grapes, Macadamia Nuts, Nutmeg, Onions, Raisins, plus xylitol, alcohol and raw yeast dough.
What is the most dangerous food for dogs?
Xylitol (in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, and dark chocolate cause the most serious poisonings.