Foods to Avoid

Foods to avoid feeding to dogs

Below is a list of foods that should not be fed to dogs. The list includes many common household foods but is by no means exhaustive.

Alcoholic beverages
Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine
Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.

Fat trimmings
Can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins
Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

Large amounts of liver
Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts
Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Milk and other dairy products
Some adult dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for cats.

Moldy or spoiled food
Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms
Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder)
Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems
Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.

Raw eggs
Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw fish
Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Excessive salt
If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Sugary foods
Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts)
Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and if excessively fed can lead to obesity. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.