10 harmful foods you should never feed your dog

We all enjoy spoiling our pets with treats, but there are some foods that are absolutely hazardous to dogs.

Though they might beg for a taste of what you’re having, some human foods can cause serious health complications, even death.

Chocolate, bones, alcohol, and avocado are just a few of the ingredients that can destroy a dog’s digestive system, cause toxicity, or result in long-term health issues.

Before sharing your next snack, it is important to make sure it is safe. Knowing what to avoid helps keep your pup happy, healthy, and out of the vet’s office.

Here are ten foods that should never be fed to dogs.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate is very toxic to dogs because it contains theobromine, a chemical that is similar to caffeine. Dogs metabolize theobromine much slower than humans, so it can accumulate to toxic levels in their system. Small quantities are enough to trigger symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, restlessness, and seizures. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate have the highest levels, so they are the most toxic. In extreme situations, chocolate poisoning can cause heart failure or even death. When chocolate is ingested by a dog, prompt veterinary care is necessary. Alternatives are safer carob treats for dogs, which resemble the flavor of chocolate without the dangers.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is very toxic to dogs, even in small quantities. Their bodies are not able to metabolize ethanol, the active alcohol in alcoholic drinks, as well as human bodies do. Drinking alcohol—whether from beverages, fermented foods, or cleaning products—can lead to severe poisoning. The symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, slowed respiration, tremors, and, in extreme cases, coma or death. Even a small amount of beer, wine, or liquor is dangerous, particularly for toy breeds. Also, certain alcohol-containing items, such as mouthwash or hand sanitizer, are equally poisonous. In the event of accidental ingestion of alcohol by a dog, veterinary attention should be sought at once to avoid life-threatening complications.

Avocados have persin, a natural toxin, which is toxic to dogs in large quantities. Although dogs are less susceptible to persin than certain animals, consuming avocado may cause gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea. The pit, skin, and leaves have greater person concentrations and can cause choking or intestinal blockage if ingested. Moreover, avocados are fat-rich, which can lead to pancreatitis, an aching and possibly severe disease. Although small quantities of avocado flesh won’t necessarily be toxic right away, it is better not to give it to dogs in order to avoid any potential illness.

Too much salt intake can be harmful to dogs and will lead to salt poisoning or sodium ion toxicity. Though a small amount of salt is required by the body for certain functions, excessive intake can result in dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and death in extreme situations. Dogs eating salty foods such as chips, pretzels, or hot dogs can exhibit excessive thirst and urination, which stresses their kidneys. In severe instances, salt poisoning can cause neurological problems and organ failure. To prevent your dog from getting hurt, do not feed them salty human food and keep fresh water available for them to drink in order to maintain proper hydration.

Human drugs can prove dangerous for dogs, even in tiny amounts. Regular pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin may lead to stomach ulcers, renal failure, or liver disease. Antidepressants, decongestants, and sleep medications can result in seizures, tremors, abnormal heart rates, or even poisoning that can lead to death. Dogs do not process medication the same as humans, so what might be beneficial to us is toxic to them. Even one tablet of some drugs is potentially fatal. If your dog accidentally ingests any human drug, see a veterinarian or pet poison helpline promptly. Always store medications in locked cabinets, out of your pet’s reach, to avoid accidental poisoning.

Although bones may appear to be a natural canine treat, they can be hazardous. Cooked bones, particularly from chicken, turkey, or pork, have a tendency to splinter into jagged pieces, causing choking, mouth wounds, or punctures in the digestive system. These splinters can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding or obstruction, necessitating emergency surgery. Even raw bones, although a bit safer, pose risks of bacterial contamination such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause illness in dogs and humans alike. Large bones that bear weight from cows can also fracture teeth. If you wish to provide your dog with a chew treat, try using vet-approved dental chews or rubber toys for safe chewing.

Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are toxic to dogs because they contain high levels of citric acid and essential oils. Small amounts of peeled oranges are okay, but large amounts of contact with peels, leaves, or seeds will lead to gastrointestinal upset. Citric acid irritates the stomach of a dog, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. In extreme instances, the nerve-influencing essential oils contained in citrus fruits may depress, tremble, or weaken muscles. The sour flavor tends to keep dogs from consuming excessive quantities, but it’s still better not to let citrus be accessible to them and give them apples or blueberries as alternatives instead.

Almonds are not toxic to dogs but can be problematic nonetheless. Their high fat content can result in gastrointestinal upset in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating or pancreatitis. They are more risky for small breeds, as almonds have the potential to become a choking hazard or block the intestines. Roasted almonds are even more perilous, since they can harbor toxic additives such as salt and artificial sweeteners, which will lead to sodium poisoning or hypoglycemia. To be on the safe side, it’s always advisable to forego almonds and use safe and dog-friendly snacks to safeguard your pet’s well-being.

Corn is not toxic to dogs, but it will create health problems under specific conditions. Whole kernels of corn can be hard for dogs to digest and could create blockages within the intestines, particularly for smaller breeds of dogs. Though corn is included in many commercially prepared dog foods, it isn’t of any particular nutritional benefit and can be a source of weight gain when eaten in great amounts. Furthermore, corn on the cob is also a choking hazard and can lead to a blockage in the digestive tract when consumed. Never feed your dog corn or food that has corn cobs to keep them safe.

Candy and gum are both toxic to dogs, largely because they contain xylitol, a sugar substitute used in sugar-free products. Xylitol is responsible for sudden release of insulin, which causes a critical reduction in blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Xylitol poisoning can cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure in extreme cases. Even small quantities of gum or candy that have xylitol in them are poisonous for dogs. Regular gum and candies, particularly those with high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners, also lead to obesity, tooth decay, and other long-term diseases