Complete List of Foods Toxic to Dogs

Every year, thousands of dogs in the UK are rushed to the vet after eating something they should not have. Many common human foods are toxic to dogs, and some can be fatal even in small quantities. Knowing which foods are dangerous is one of the most important things you can do to keep your dog safe.

This guide covers every food that is known to be toxic or harmful to dogs, based on guidance from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the American Kennel Club, and the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) in the UK. Bookmark this page and refer to it whenever you are unsure about a food.

The Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs

These ten foods pose the greatest threat to dogs. Some can cause serious illness or death even in small amounts.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which dogs metabolise far more slowly than humans. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous forms. Symptoms include vomiting, rapid heart rate, tremors, and seizures. As little as 25g of dark chocolate can cause serious symptoms in a small dog.

2. Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas, and Currants

Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The toxic substance has not been definitively identified, which means there is no known safe amount. Even a single grape has caused kidney failure in some dogs. Dried forms (raisins, sultanas, currants) are more concentrated and therefore even more dangerous by weight.

3. Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free chewing gum, sweets, peanut butter, baked goods, and some toothpastes. In dogs, it triggers a massive release of insulin, causing a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Higher doses can cause liver failure. As little as 0.1g per kilogram of body weight can cause hypoglycaemia, and 0.5g/kg can cause liver failure.

4. Onions, Garlic, Leeks, and Chives (Allium Family)

All members of the Allium family are toxic to dogs, including onions, garlic, leeks, chives, spring onions, and shallots. They contain compounds called organosulphides that damage red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia. Toxicity can occur from raw, cooked, dried, or powdered forms. Garlic is roughly five times more potent than onions.

5. Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. Symptoms typically appear within 12 hours and can last up to 48 hours. While rarely fatal on their own, macadamia nuts are often found in chocolate-covered form, which combines two toxins.

6. Alcohol

Dogs are far more sensitive to alcohol than humans. Even small amounts of beer, wine, spirits, or foods containing alcohol (such as rum-soaked cake or unbaked dough) can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, coma, and death. The smaller the dog, the less alcohol it takes to reach dangerous levels.

7. Caffeine

Like theobromine in chocolate, caffeine is a methylxanthine that dogs cannot metabolise efficiently. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and caffeine tablets can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and seizures in dogs.

8. Avocado

Avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin found in the flesh, skin, stone, and leaves of the avocado plant. While dogs are more resistant to persin than some other animals, the high fat content can trigger pancreatitis, and the large stone poses a serious choking and obstruction risk.

9. Cooked Bones

Cooked bones of any kind — chicken, lamb, pork, or beef — become brittle and can splinter into sharp fragments when chewed. These splinters can puncture the oesophagus, stomach, or intestines, causing internal bleeding, peritonitis, and potentially death. Raw bones are generally safer but should still be given under supervision.

10. Bread Dough (Raw Yeast Dough)

Raw bread dough continues to rise inside a dog's warm stomach, causing dangerous bloating and gastric dilation. As the yeast ferments, it also produces alcohol, which is absorbed into the bloodstream. This double threat of mechanical distension and alcohol toxicity makes raw dough a genuine emergency.

Toxic Fruits

The following fruits are toxic or harmful to dogs and should be avoided:

• Grapes — kidney failure
• Raisins — kidney failure (concentrated dried grape)
• Sultanas — kidney failure
• Currants — kidney failure
• Cherries — stones, leaves, and stems contain cyanide
• Starfruit — contains oxalates that can cause kidney damage
• Avocado — persin toxicity, choking hazard from stone
• Grapefruit — psoralen and essential oils cause toxicity
• Lemons and limes — citric acid and psoralen in large amounts
• Elderberries — raw berries and plant parts contain cyanogenic glycosides

Toxic Vegetables

These vegetables should be kept away from dogs:

• Onions — haemolytic anaemia (all forms: raw, cooked, powdered)
• Garlic — haemolytic anaemia (five times more potent than onion)
• Leeks — haemolytic anaemia
• Chives — haemolytic anaemia
• Spring onions — haemolytic anaemia
• Shallots — haemolytic anaemia
• Rhubarb — leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid
• Raw potatoes — contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs
• Chilli peppers — capsaicin causes gastrointestinal distress
• Mushrooms — wild mushrooms can be extremely toxic; shop-bought varieties are generally safe in small amounts, but avoidance is the safest approach

Toxic Nuts and Seeds

Most nuts are not recommended for dogs due to their high fat content and choking risk, but these are specifically toxic:

• Macadamia nuts — muscle weakness, tremors, hyperthermia
• Walnuts (especially black walnuts) — can harbour mould that produces tremorgenic mycotoxins
• Bitter almonds — contain cyanide compounds
• Conkers (horse chestnuts) — contain aesculin, which is toxic to dogs
• Apple pips, cherry stones, peach stones, and apricot stones — contain amygdalin, which converts to cyanide

Toxic Drinks

Dogs should only drink fresh water. The following drinks are harmful:

• Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) — vomiting, breathing difficulty, coma, death
• Coffee and tea — caffeine toxicity
• Energy drinks — high caffeine and sugar content
• Milk and dairy drinks — many dogs are lactose intolerant, leading to digestive upset
• Drinks containing xylitol — sugar-free squash, diet drinks

Toxic Household Items and Plants

Many common household plants and items are also poisonous to dogs. While this guide focuses on foods, be aware that the following pose serious risks:

• Lilies — highly toxic, especially to cats, but can also affect dogs
• Daffodils — bulbs, flowers, and stems contain lycorine
• Tulips — bulbs contain allergenic lactones
• Sago palm — all parts are highly toxic, causing liver failure
• Conkers and acorns — common autumn hazards in UK parks
• Slug pellets (metaldehyde) — extremely toxic; keep stored securely
• Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) — sweet-tasting and often fatal

Signs of Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog has eaten something toxic, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting or retching
• Diarrhoea (possibly with blood)
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or weakness
• Tremors or shaking
• Seizures or fitting
• Rapid or laboured breathing
• Pale or yellowish gums
• Increased thirst and urination
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

Symptoms can appear within minutes or take up to 24 hours to develop, depending on the substance and amount consumed. Some toxins, such as those in grapes, may not cause obvious symptoms until kidney damage has already occurred.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, follow these steps:

1. Stay calm. Your dog needs you thinking clearly.
2. Remove access. Take away any remaining toxic food and move your dog away from the source.
3. Do not make your dog vomit unless specifically instructed to do so by a vet. Some substances cause more damage on the way back up.
4. Note what was eaten. Record the food, the approximate amount, your dog's weight, and the time of ingestion. Take a photo of the packaging if available.
5. Call your vet immediately. If your practice is closed, call an emergency out-of-hours vet.
6. Call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (UK, available 24/7, charges apply). They can advise your vet on the best course of treatment.
7. Follow veterinary advice. Your vet may ask you to bring your dog in immediately or to monitor at home, depending on the substance and amount.
8. Keep evidence. Bring any packaging, remaining food, or vomit samples to the vet, as this helps with diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention is always better than treatment. Store toxic foods securely out of your dog's reach, educate everyone in your household (including children and visitors), and never leave food unattended where your dog can access it. If you are ever unsure whether a food is safe, err on the side of caution and do not offer it to your dog.