Most people know that some food is dangerous and toxic for dogs. For example, dogs and chocolate don’t mix. It can lead to chocolate poisoning. But, there are many other foods that can also cause your dog harm. Here’s a quick-reference list of dangerous dog foods.
Avocado
Avocado contains a lot of persin. Persin may be harmless to humans, but it can be toxic for dogs as a dog allergy.
Alcohol
Alcohol poisoning can happen quite easily in your dog, even if your dog is only given a small amount. Further, the smaller the dog, the greater the effect of alcohol on the dog.
Coffee, Tea and other Caffeine
Caffeine in large doses can be fatal. And since dogs are so much smaller than humans, ‘large doses’ happen much more easily. Caffeine poisoning symptoms include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits and bleeding.
Grapes and Raisins
Even just a small amount of grapes and raisins could result in kidney failure in your dog. Kidney disease symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and depression.
Milk and Dairy
Milk and milk-based products will result in dog diarrhea, so watch out! Don’t be tempted to give your dog a lick of your ice cream cone on a hot day!
Macadamia Nuts
These nuts can be fatal for your dog. As few as six raw or roasted nuts could result in poisoning, producing symptoms such as muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, vomiting and a rapid heart rate.
Keep the macadamia nut cookies away from your dog, especially the ones with chocolate in them!
Candy and Gum
Watch out for diet foods with xylitol, as xylitol can result in a decrease in your dog’s blood sugar levels. Symptoms from a drop in blood sugar can include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination.
Chocolate
The actual toxic ingredient for dogs in chocolate is called theobromine. It can result in vomiting, diarrhea and excessive thirst. It can also lead to tremors, seizures and death.
Bones
While not actually poisonous, bone splinters can case internal damage or choking hazards. It’s best to only give your dog bones from pet stores.
Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums
While humans know not to eat the seeds in these fruit, dogs do not! A dog can have an obstruction if it eats a pit. Additionally, these pits contain small traces of cyanide.
Salt
Too much salt will cause excessive thirst and urination. It can eventually lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of sodium ion poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature and seizures.
Sugary Foods and Drinks
Too much sugar will result in the same maladies as it does in humans: obesity, dental problems, and the possible onset of diabetes. Diabetes in dogs works differently than in humans. Usually, dogs don’t contract type 2 diabetes, instead just having their insulin systems shut down completely.
Your Medicine
Human medicine is not suitable for dogs. In fact, reactions to drugs commonly prescribed to humans are the most common cause of poisoning in dogs.
Drugs containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be deadly for your pet!

Dr. Loridawn Gordon