Toxic and Safe Foods for Dogs

Unfortunately, every year thousands of dog owners unknowingly feed their dogs harmful foods. The reason for this is simple enough: Owners often don’t know what toxic and safe foods for dogs are. Simply going by the mantra “What is good for me, is safe for my dog to eat” and feeding your dog with leftovers, will shorten the lifespan of your companion considerably. In essence, knowing what food items are toxic for dogs is crucial for the health and well being of your canine.

To help you figure out what food items are ok and which ones are not, you can refer to the table below. In it, I’ve listed common (human) food items and ingredients, and indicated their appropriateness for dogs based on referenced scientific literature or reliable internet sources.

The column furthest to the right will indicate whether a visit to the vet is warranted and whether urgency is required. For the most common pet poisons (such as garlic, onion, chives, chocolate, grapes, raisins, etc.) additional information can be found below the table.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic, Onion, or Chives (Allium)?

No. The ingestion of Garlic, Onion, Chives (Allium species) by various animals may lead to toxicosis and can cause death. Dogs and cats, however, deserve special attention since they are most susceptible. Allium toxicosis can be diagnosed through a combination of history and clinical signs by your vet.

If you suspect your pet to have consumed large amounts of an Allium species (garlic bread, onion pizza, guacamole, salsa, etc.), take your pet to the vet right away. If small amounts are involved, look out for clinical signs during the next couple of days to include gastroenteritis: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, depression and dehydration. If you notice any of these, go to the vet immediately increase your pets chances of survival.

Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?

No. Chocolate and cocoa products can be dangerous for pets if ingested. Dogs are more commonly affected than cats because of their more indiscriminate and fast eating habits. Not surprisingly, most accidental chocolate exposures in pets occur around holidays, especially Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas,
when chocolate is more prevalent in household.

If you suspect your dog to have consumed chocolate in any form, try to determine the amount and kind of chocolate product that was consumed. With that information at hand, contact your vet right away.

Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning usually occur within 6 to 12 hours of ingestion. Initial symptoms include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and restlessness, whereas progressive signs of chocolate poisoning include tremors, seizures, and hyperactivity.

The good news is that a majority of animals will recover completely from chocolate intoxication if treated appropriately.

Can Dogs Eat Grapes or Raisins?

Ingestion of grapes and raisins can cause acute renal failure in dogs. While the exact mechanism of toxicity is not known, the outcome of eating sufficient amounts of grapes can be tragic. Possible explanations for the toxicity of grapes and raisins are tannin intolerance, the contamination of the fruits with mycotoxins, pesticides or heavy metals, sugar overload leading to shock, or ingestion of excess vitamin D. Whatever the mechanism may be, keep grapes and raisins out of your dog’s or cat’s diet.

Common clinical effects of grapes and raisins poisoning included vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression and acute renal failure. Treatment options include gut decontamination and intravenous fluids.

Can Dogs Eat Dairy Products?

Although dogs and cats are lactose intolerant, most of them can consume small amounts of dairy products. Cheese, in particular, is tolerated better as it has a lower concentration of milk sugars. As a matter of fact, soft cheeses can make a great vehicle that can be used to hide medications in when your pet is being a non-compliant patient.

If your pet does not tolerate dairy products well, symptoms of dairy intolerance include gas, loose stools, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. A visit to the vet is usually not necessary.

Should Dogs Eat Grass?

It’s pretty normal for dogs and cats to chew on grass once in a while. Grass contains a fair bit of fiber that will aid your pet’s digestive system. Contrary to popular believe, a study on the grass eating habits of cats and dogs did not find an association with gastrointestinal illness. The research further suggests that dogs and cats generally don’t seem to be sick before eating plants, and they don’t usually vomit afterwards.

Grass eating in dogs and cats is therefore believed to be a benign activity aiding their digestive system. It can also be found in their wild “cousins” as the stomach content of wild wolves and cougars suggests.

Still, pet owners are advised to keep their grass-eating dogs and cats away from chemically treated lawns, toxic plants, and feces-littered grass.

Can Dogs Eat Nuts?

With the exception of Macadamia nuts, unspoiled nuts are safe to eat for cats and dogs. Humans value Macadamia nuts for their low cholesterol and sodium content and their excellent source of manganese and thiamine. Accordingly, they have found their way into the human diet in the form of plain nuts, chocolates, candy, cookies, and flour.

So far, macadamia nut poisoning has only been reported in dogs. The mechanism of action with regards to their toxicity in dogs is unknown, and the dose required to induce toxicity hasn’t been established precisely. However, if your dog shows symptoms such as weakness (particularly hind limb weakness), depression, vomiting, tremors, abdominal pain after ingestion of Macadamia nut products, don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet.

No dogs have died from macadamia nut poisoning, and your pet is expected to fully recover within 24-48 hours with little to no veterinary intervention. However, if macadamia nuts are consumed together with other toxic foods (for instance chocolate and raisins), rapid veterinary intervention is a must and should not be delayed.

Artificial Sweeteners: Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs

Xylitol is a potent artificial sweetener, that can be harmful for dogs. It is found in products such as gum, candy, bread, and cookies, where it replaces regular table sugar to lower the caloric content of the food. However, there is a growing amount of concern, that Xylitol can be harmful to pets, especially dogs.

According to a retrospective study of 192 dogs, this artificial sweetener has the ability to cause a dangerous decrease in blood sugar levels and liver damage in dogs.

Sadly, Xylitol is also used in some medical and dental products for dogs, albeit in low concentrations. Still, it is recommended to stay away from these products to avoid compounding effects of Xylitol poisoning.