44 FOODS

Toxic Foods for Dogs

These foods and substances can poison dogs. For many, such as grapes, xylitol and chocolate, the harm is serious and sometimes delayed, so call a vet or poison control right away instead of waiting for symptoms.

Browse all foods · Safe Foods for Dogs · Foods That Are Only Safe for Dogs Sometimes

✕No — Severely ToxicOther

Can dogs eat acetaminophen (tylenol)?

Acetaminophen causes fatal liver failure and destroys the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity — a single extra-strength tablet can be lethal for a small dog.

✕No — ToxicBeverages

Can dogs eat alcohol?

Alcohol affects dogs with the same mechanism as in humans but at far lower doses — a tablespoon of spirits can cause alcohol poisoning in a small dog.

✕No — LethalOther

Can dogs eat antifreeze (ethylene glycol)?

Antifreeze's sweet taste makes it dangerously appealing to dogs — a teaspoon is enough to kill a small dog, and symptoms appear hours after the damage is already done.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat aspirin?

Aspirin causes severe GI bleeding and kidney damage in dogs — it's one of the most dangerous over-the-counter pain relievers to leave within a dog's reach.

✕No — ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat avocado?

Avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially heart muscle damage — and the pit is a serious choking and obstruction hazard.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat baking soda & baking powder?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) causes electrolyte disturbances, muscle spasms, and heart arrhythmia. Baking powder adds additional toxicity from aluminum and acid compounds.

✕No — ToxicDairy

Can dogs eat blue cheese (roquefort)?

Blue-veined cheeses contain Roquefortine C, a mycotoxin produced by the Penicillium mold — even small amounts can cause severe tremors, seizures, and hyperthermia in dogs.

✕No — ToxicBeverages

Can dogs eat caffeine / coffee?

Caffeine is a methylxanthine toxin — the same class as theobromine in chocolate — and causes cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, and death in dogs at moderate doses.

✕No — Avoid (Risk Depends on Ingredients)Other

Can dogs eat candy?

Candy is not a safe treat for dogs — many varieties contain chocolate or the sugar substitute xylitol, both of which are toxic, and all candy carries risks from sugar and choking hazards.

✕No — Causes Severe IrritationSpices

Can dogs eat cayenne pepper?

Cayenne pepper and hot chili peppers contain capsaicin, which causes severe pain, burning, and GI inflammation in dogs — they cannot build tolerance the way humans do.

✕No — Pit Is ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat cherry pits?

Cherry pits contain cyanogenic glycosides (like apple seeds, but more concentrated), and the pit is also a choking and intestinal obstruction hazard — the flesh is safe.

✕No — ToxicSpices

Can dogs eat chives?

Chives are the most potent Allium family member by weight — even small amounts of fresh or dried chives can cause life-threatening hemolytic anemia in dogs.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat chocolate?

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to dogs — the darker the chocolate, the lower the lethal dose.

✕No — DangerousProteins

Can dogs eat cooked bones?

Cooked bones of any kind splinter into razor-sharp shards that can puncture the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines — causing internal bleeding that requires emergency surgery.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat dark chocolate?

Dark chocolate contains 8–16x more theobromine per ounce than milk chocolate, making even small quantities dangerous — one ounce can exceed the toxic threshold for a 10-lb dog.

✕No — ToxicVegetables

Can dogs eat garlic?

Garlic is 5 times more toxic than onions per gram and causes the same red blood cell destruction — even small amounts used in cooking are dangerous.

✕No — ToxicSpices

Can dogs eat garlic powder?

Garlic powder is concentrated garlic — approximately 6x more potent than fresh garlic per gram — and is present in countless seasoned foods and prepared meals.

✕No — Often Contains Toxic IngredientsGrains

Can dogs eat granola?

Granola is not a safe dog treat — it typically contains raisins, xylitol (in sugar-free versions), macadamia nuts, or chocolate chips, any of which are severely toxic.

✕No — ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat grapefruit?

Grapefruit contains furanocoumarins and essential oils that are toxic to dogs — both the flesh and peel should be avoided.

✕No — ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat grapes?

Grapes and raisins are severely toxic to dogs and can cause sudden kidney failure — even a single grape can be fatal in some dogs.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat hops?

Hops used in home brewing cause malignant hyperthermia in dogs — a rapid, uncontrolled rise in body temperature that can be fatal without immediate intervention.

✕No — Severely ToxicOther

Can dogs eat ibuprofen (advil, motrin)?

Ibuprofen is one of the most common causes of accidental dog poisoning — even one adult tablet can cause fatal stomach ulcers and kidney failure in a medium-sized dog.

✕No — Not SafeDairy

Can dogs eat ice cream?

Ice cream is problematic for dogs on multiple fronts: lactose causes GI upset, high sugar spikes blood glucose, chocolate and xylitol versions are acutely toxic, and it creates unhealthy feeding habits.

✕No — ToxicVegetables

Can dogs eat leeks?

Leeks are Allium vegetables with the same hemolytic toxicity as onions and garlic — their mild flavor leads owners to underestimate how dangerous they are.

✕No — ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat lemons?

Lemons contain psoralen compounds and essential oils that are toxic to dogs — and the extreme acidity causes GI upset even in small amounts.

✕No — ToxicNuts & Seeds

Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?

Macadamia nuts cause a characteristic syndrome of weakness, fever, and vomiting that can last 24–48 hours — the toxin is unknown but the effect is consistent.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat milk chocolate?

Milk chocolate has lower theobromine than dark chocolate but is still toxic — and it's the most commonly ingested type because it's in candy, cookies, and holiday treats.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat mustard?

Mustard seeds and prepared mustard contain glucosinolates and isothiocyanates that irritate the GI tract and can cause inflammation of the stomach, intestines, and potentially the liver.

✕No — ToxicSpices

Can dogs eat nutmeg?

Nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound that causes hallucinations, seizures, and CNS toxicity in dogs — even a small amount can cause serious symptoms.

✕No — ToxicSpices

Can dogs eat onion powder?

Onion powder is approximately 5x more concentrated than fresh onion — a fraction of a teaspoon is enough to cause hemolytic anemia in dogs.

✕No — ToxicVegetables

Can dogs eat onions?

Onions contain organosulfur compounds that destroy red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia — all forms (raw, cooked, powdered) are toxic.

✕No — Pit Is ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat peach pits?

Peach pits contain amygdalin (a cyanide precursor), are large enough to cause intestinal obstruction, and have sharp edges that can lacerate the digestive tract — the peach flesh is safe.

✕No — ToxicNuts & Seeds

Can dogs eat pecans?

Pecans contain juglone (a phenolic toxin) and are highly susceptible to aflatoxin-producing mold — both cause serious liver and neurological damage in dogs.

✕No — ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat raisins?

Raisins are dehydrated grapes and carry the same severe kidney toxicity — with the added danger that smaller quantities are needed to cause lethal organ failure.

✕No — ToxicGrains

Can dogs eat raw yeast dough?

Raw bread dough expands in the warm stomach, causing life-threatening bloat, and the fermenting yeast produces ethanol that causes alcohol poisoning.

✕No — ToxicVegetables

Can dogs eat rhubarb?

Rhubarb leaves contain soluble oxalate crystals that cause kidney failure — the stalks are safer but still not recommended for dogs.

✕No — Toxic in ExcessOther

Can dogs eat salt (sodium)?

Salt causes sodium ion poisoning in dogs — vomiting, seizures, and fatal brain damage can result from large ingestions such as playdough, rock salt, or saltwater.

✕No — ToxicVegetables

Can dogs eat scallions (green onions)?

Scallions are young onions — fully toxic to dogs. Both the green tops and white bulb contain the same organosulfur compounds that destroy red blood cells.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat soy sauce?

Soy sauce has one of the highest sodium concentrations of any common food — a few tablespoons can cause sodium ion poisoning, seizures, and brain damage in a small dog.

✕No — ToxicFruits

Can dogs eat star fruit (carambola)?

Star fruit contains soluble oxalates and an unidentified neurotoxin that causes acute kidney failure in dogs — even a small amount can be fatal in dogs with any kidney compromise.

✕No — Toxic (Green Parts)Vegetables

Can dogs eat tomato leaves & stems?

Tomato leaves, stems, and unripe green tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine — alkaloids that cause GI distress and neurological symptoms; ripe red tomato flesh is safe in small amounts.

✕No — Toxic (Alcohol Content)Other

Can dogs eat vanilla extract?

Pure vanilla extract is 35% alcohol by volume — a teaspoon contains as much ethanol as a full shot of spirits and can cause alcohol poisoning in small dogs.

✕No — Toxic (Wild Varieties)Vegetables

Can dogs eat wild mushrooms?

Many wild mushroom species are severely toxic to dogs — Amanita phalloides (death cap) and its relatives can cause fatal liver failure with no outward signs for 24 hours.

✕No — ToxicOther

Can dogs eat xylitol?

Xylitol triggers a massive insulin release causing life-threatening hypoglycemia, and at higher doses causes acute liver failure — it's in hundreds of products including sugar-free gum, candy, and peanut butter.