Foods That Can Harm Dogs

This is the list thus far of what NOT to feed your dog. Please let me know if there are others that need to be added.

Alcohol can cause breathing difficulties, abnormal blood acidity, coma and death in dogs.

Avocadoes contain persin which can cause digestive upsets and heart problems.

Bones, cooked, may splinter and puncture or obstruct the digestive tract. Completely ground bones are acceptable. Raw bones are ok but monitor your pet while chewing.

Broccoli in LARGE amounts can cause illness in dogs.

Cat Food contains entirely too much protein

Chocolate, Coffee and Tea all contain stimulants that cause abnormal heartbeat, seizures and death in dogs. Chocolate is especially dangerous for dogs.

Corn in any form (flour, meal, oil) is not easily digested by dogs and is also one of the leading allergen sources for dogs. Corn is also thought to make dogs sluggish and contribute to that "dog smell" many pet owners complain about.

Cranberry Juice has a chemical that prevents bacteria from adhering to the wall of the bladder. Cranberries, however, are safe.

Dough and Cake Batter - The combination of raw bread dough and the dog’s body heat can cause the dough to rise inside the stomach, resulting in vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating. The batter used in cakes and pies usually contains raw eggs which could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Grapes and Raisins contain an unknown substance that causes kidney failure in dogs.

Greasy, fatty table scraps can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused when too much digestive enzyme is produced. Affected dogs may have bloody vomit or diarrhea and suffer dehydration and even death. This includes dog favorites bacon, ham, and pig ears so feed these sparingly.

Green Unripe Tomatoes, leaves, or stem contain tropane and atropine alkaloids. The tomatine alkaloid present in green unripe fruits and in the tomato plant is highly poisonous to dogs. Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation are signs of tomato toxicity. Dogs that have ingested green tomatoes will suffer from stomach upsets because tomatine is not efficiently absorbed by the intestines. The cardiac and the central nervous systems of the dog will be directly affected by the toxins present in unripe tomatoes. Ingestion of a considerable amount of unripe tomatoes or leaves and stem of the plant would result in accelerated heartbeats. The toxins will cause tremors, muscle weakness and breathing difficulties which can lead to coma and death.

Liver in large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity.

Macadamia Nuts contain an unidentified toxin that causes weakness, tremors, panting and swelling in the legs.

Milk can difficult for some dogs to digest effectively because they do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset. Some dogs have no problem so watch your dog for any symptoms if you choose o let him/her consume milk-based products.

Mushrooms and Molds can be toxic to dogs.

Nutmeg can be toxic or even fatal to dogs. Scientists have not identified the component of nutmeg responsible for the toxic effects. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, central nervous system abnormalities, or death.

Onions, both cooked and raw, contain thiosulphate which can cause digestive upsets, hemolytic anemia, and death.

Pennies dated after 1981 are made from zinc with a thin copper coating. A dog swallowing just one of these pennies can suffer damage to red blood cells and kidney failure due to zinc poisoning.

Pistachio nuts are rich in fat which can contribute to pancreatitis, contains high amounts of phosphorus which can cause bladder stones, and can become contaminated with aflatoxin (produced by a fungus or mold) which can lead to liver failure.

Raw Egg Whites contain avidin which causes B vitamin deficiency, skin problems and skeletal deformities raw eggs can also harbor salmonella or e.coli. Eggs are beneficial so always thoroughly cook before serving in any form.

Raw Fish, especially salmon, may contain parasites that are dangerous for dogs.

Sage contains essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets, especially in cats.

Salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. Sea salt is safe.

Seeds and Fruit Pits can cause choking or intestinal blockages and some contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs.

Walnuts may have a fungus or mold which causes drooling, jaundice, lack of coordination, and vomiting.

Xylitol causes an insulin reaction in dogs which can lead to liver failure within a few days. It’s found in many candies, gums, toothpastes, and pastries.

If you think your dog has consumed something toxic call your veterinarian or the ASCPA hotline 1-888-426-4435 right away.