Foods Dogs Should Never Eat: Toxic People Foods

Dogs should never eat chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, or raw yeast dough. If your dog eats any of these, call your vet or a poison hotline right away, even if your dog seems fine.

Many dangerous foods look harmless, and some signs take hours to appear. As your puppy grows, our guide on switching to adult dog food covers safe feeding changes. This guide is based on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s list of people foods to avoid. It starts with what to do in an emergency, then explains each food. For safe feeding basics, see our guide to how much to feed a puppy.

What should you do if your dog eats something toxic?

Call your vet, an emergency clinic, or a poison hotline immediately, and have the details ready: what your dog ate, how much, when, and your dog’s weight. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not make your dog vomit unless a vet or poison expert tells you to.

Which people foods are toxic to dogs?

The foods below are the ones the ASPCA Poison Control experts list as common risks. The amount that causes harm depends on the food, your dog’s size, and your dog’s health, so treat every case as a reason to call.

Food	Why it is risky	Possible signs
Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine	They contain methylxanthines. Darker chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder carry the highest risk.	Vomiting, diarrhea, panting, thirst, restlessness, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures
Grapes and raisins	They can lead to kidney damage. The exact toxic substance is still unclear.	Vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, reduced urination
Xylitol	A sweetener in gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste, and some nut butters. Use only dog toothpaste, as our puppy teething guide explains. It can cause low blood sugar and liver damage.	Vomiting, weakness, loss of coordination, seizures
Onion, garlic, and chives	They can irritate the gut and damage red blood cells, which may lead to anemia.	Stomach upset, tiredness, pale gums
Macadamia nuts	They can cause weakness, tremors, and fever in dogs.	Weakness, wobbling, vomiting, tremors, usually within 12 hours
Alcohol and raw yeast dough	Alcohol is absorbed quickly. Rising dough can swell in the stomach and may cause bloat.	Vomiting, loss of coordination, swollen belly, difficulty breathing
Salty foods	Too much salt can upset the body’s fluid and mineral balance.	Thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, tremors, seizures
Raw meat, raw eggs, and bones	Raw meat and eggs can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. Bones can cause injuries or blockages.	Vomiting, diarrhea, straining, belly pain
Fatty foods and some nuts	High fat can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in some dogs pancreatitis.	Vomiting, belly pain, loss of appetite

Which foods usually only cause an upset stomach?

Milk and dairy, citrus fruit, and fresh coconut are not usually serious in small amounts, but they can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach. Most dogs cannot digest lactose well, so milk products can cause loose stools. Even so, call your vet if your dog eats a large amount or seems unwell.

How can you keep your dog safe at home?

• Store food out of reach. Keep chocolate, baked goods, gum, and nuts in closed cupboards, not on counters or low tables.
• Check labels for xylitol. It appears in gum, candy, sugar-free baking products, toothpaste, and some peanut and nut butters.
• Use a lidded trash can. Scraps and spoiled food are a common cause of poisoning and stomach upset.
• Tell visitors and children. A simple rule helps: nobody feeds the dog from the table or their plate.
• Take extra care at holidays and parties. Open food, alcohol, and unattended bags are the biggest risks.
• Keep emergency numbers handy. Save your vet, the nearest emergency clinic, and a poison hotline in your phone.

When should you go to an emergency vet?

Go straight to an emergency clinic if your dog has repeated vomiting, tremors, seizures, a swollen belly, trouble breathing, collapse, or extreme weakness, or if you were told to come in. For any suspected poisoning, call first. Many toxins cause serious harm before signs appear, so early treatment gives the best chance of recovery.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• How much to feed a puppy: meals, portions, and label guide
• New puppy checklist: what to buy before day one
• First week with a new puppy: day-by-day schedule

This guide has not yet been reviewed by a veterinarian.

Where to read more

• ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets