Foods dogs should never eat: which ones, and what to do if your dog ate one

What foods can dogs not eat?

The ones that cause the most poisonings are few, and they are in almost every kitchen: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, anything sweetened with xylitol, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw yeast dough. Bones join that list: they do not poison, but they can injure or block the digestive tract.

The table brings together what the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the FDA and the Merck Veterinary Manual say.

Other foods are not toxic but do not sit well. Milk and dairy can cause diarrhea, because an adult dog produces little lactase. Walnuts, almonds and very fatty foods can cause vomiting and, in some dogs, pancreatitis.

Why is chocolate bad for dogs?

Because it contains theobromine and caffeine, two substances in the methylxanthine family. The Merck manual describes vomiting, restlessness, agitation, fever and a rapid heart rate and, in severe cases, seizures. The ASPCA adds panting, thirst and tremors. The poisoning can be fatal.

The risk depends on how much cocoa the chocolate contains. Cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most concentrated; milk chocolate has less, and white chocolate very little. That is why the same piece that barely affects a large dog can be serious for one that weighs 3 kg (about 7 lb).

Coffee, tea and energy drinks belong to the same group because of their caffeine. Watch out for coffee pods, used coffee grounds and tea bags left in the trash.

What happens if a dog eats grapes or raisins?

It can suffer serious kidney damage. According to the Merck manual, most affected dogs vomit or have diarrhea 6 to 12 hours afterward, and kidney failure can appear between 24 and 48 hours. Not every dog reacts the same way, and that is what makes them treacherous.

The proposed cause is tartaric acid, which these fruits contain in quantity and which dogs eliminate poorly. Because the content varies from one grape to another, there is no safe amount. Merck gives a cautious reference point: more than one grape or raisin per 4.5 kg (10 lb) of body weight can already pose a risk.

Raisins hide in breads, cakes, oatmeal cookies and nut mixes. Tamarind shares the same problem.

What is xylitol, and where is it found?

It is a sweetener used in “sugar-free” foods and other items. In a dog it passes quickly into the blood and triggers a strong release of insulin, with a drop in blood sugar that can be life-threatening. The FDA warns that signs can start 10 to 60 minutes after the dog eats it.

What you see is vomiting and, afterward, lethargy, weakness, staggering, collapse or seizures. Sometimes complications take 12 to 24 hours, so a dog that seems fine should be examined too. The ASPCA also points to possible liver damage.

Where to look for it on the label:

• Sugar-free gum, mints and candy.
• “Light” baked goods and ice cream.
• Some peanut butters and other nut butters.
• Cough syrups, chewable vitamins and mouthwashes.
• Human toothpaste, which is why it is not used on dogs.

Is avocado toxic to dogs?

Less than people often say. The ASPCA explains that avocado is a problem above all for birds, rabbits, horses and ruminants. The FDA rates it as only mildly toxic to dogs and cats, and the Merck manual says dogs appear to be relatively resistant compared with other species.

The practical risk is something else: the pit. If a dog swallows it whole, it can get stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. In a country where avocado is on the table every day, and on a farm with avocado trees, that is the precaution that matters.

It is not a good idea as a treat, either: avocado is a very fatty fruit, and high-fat foods do not sit well with many dogs.

Can a dog eat bones?

It is not a good idea. The ASPCA warns that a pet dog can injure itself or suffer a blockage of the digestive tract by swallowing bones, sometimes needing surgery. The FDA includes them, along with pits and corn cobs, among the things that can get stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines.

That applies to the bones from a sancocho (Colombia’s traditional stew), the ribs from a barbecue and the chicken bone that falls on the floor. If your dog needs to chew, and puppies do, there are toys made for that. Have them ready when you prepare your home for a puppy.

The ASPCA also advises against raw meat and raw eggs, because of bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can also pass to the people in the household.

What should I do if my dog ate something toxic?

Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately, without waiting to see whether symptoms appear. With grapes and with xylitol, the damage can take hours to show, and by then the ideal moment to treat it has passed. The sooner you act, the more options the veterinarian has.

Have this information at hand when you call:

1. What the dog ate, with the package or label if there is one.
2. How much, even if it is approximate.
3. How long ago.
4. How much your dog weighs.
5. What signs it shows: vomiting, tremors, lethargy, staggering.

Do not give human medications to “make the dog feel better”, either: the FDA points out that common pain relievers can be harmful to a pet. Talk to your veterinarian before giving anything.

How can you prevent it from happening?

With tidiness more than with watchfulness. Most incidents happen when food is left within reach: a bag on the floor, a coffee table, an open handbag with gum inside. A dog cannot tell what will harm it; it is up to the household to make it difficult.

• Keep chocolate, raisins, gum and medications up high and in closed containers.
• Use a trash can with a lid: that is where bones, onion and used coffee end up.
• At parties and barbecues, tell guests not to give the dog anything.
• Teach children what is not shared with the dog; reading together about children and dogs living together safely helps.
• Check the label of anything “sugar-free” before leaving it within the dog’s reach.

What a dog can eat, and how much, is the subject of another article: feeding a puppy by age and size.