US Veterinary Reference

Foods that are toxic to dogs

The complete list of human foods that can seriously harm your dog — with what each one does, how much is dangerous, and what to do if your dog has already eaten some.

Your dog just ate something?

Call your vet immediately — or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (24/7, fees apply). Alternative: the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Don't wait for symptoms. Treatment is most effective in the first 1–2 hours.

The big six

These six foods account for the vast majority of food-related emergency vet visits in the US. If a dog owner learns nothing else, they should learn these:

Chocolate no

No. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine — both poisonous to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous. Dog size, amount eaten, and chocolate type all matter.

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Grapes no

No. Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Tartaric acid is now identified as the likely culprit, and there is no safe amount.

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Xylitol no

No. Xylitol causes a rapid, life-threatening drop in blood sugar in dogs and, in higher doses, liver failure. Even a few pieces of sugar-free gum can be fatal to a small dog.

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Onions no

No. Onions damage dogs' red blood cells and cause anemia. Raw, cooked, dried, powdered — all forms are toxic, and cooking doesn't destroy the compounds.

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Raisins no

No. Raisins carry the same tartaric acid toxicity as grapes but in more concentrated form. A single raisin has caused kidney failure in small dogs.

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Macadamia nuts no

No. Macadamia nuts cause a distinctive toxic reaction in dogs — weakness (especially in the hind legs), vomiting, tremors, and fever — at doses as low as 2.4 g per kg of body weigh…

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The complete toxic foods list

Every food on this list can cause real harm to dogs. Click any item for the full guide including symptoms, timeline, and what to do if your dog has already eaten some.

Objects

Battery no Bra no Coins (especially pennies) no Cooked bone no Corn cob no Diaper no Dryer sheet / fabric softener no Glue (Gorilla glue and similar) no Hair tie or rubber band no Plastic no Rocks or stones no Sock no String, thread, or ribbon no Tampon no Toy squeaker no Underwear no

Snacks

Gingerbread no Green bean casserole no Pecan pie no Pickles no Pizza no Pumpkin pie no Stuffing (Thanksgiving dressing) no Sweet potato casserole no

Fruit

Cherries no Currants no Golden raisins no Grapes no Lemons no Raisins no

Vegetables

Chives no Garlic no Leeks no Onions no Rhubarb no

Medications

Aleve (naproxen) no Cannabis / marijuana / edibles no Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) no Nicotine / cigarettes / vape juice no Tylenol (acetaminophen) no

Sweets

Chewing gum no Chocolate no Marshmallows no Xylitol no

Spreads

Cranberry sauce no Gravy no Soy sauce no

Nuts

Macadamia nuts no Walnuts no

Drinks

Alcohol no Coffee no

Spices

Nutmeg no Salt no

Dairy

Blue cheese no

Grains

Bread dough (raw) no

Caution foods — safe in small amounts, risky in more

These foods aren't outright toxic but carry real risks. Some are problematic for specific breeds or health conditions; others are fine as a rare treat but dangerous as a regular food.

Almond milk caution Almonds caution Apple pie caution Apricots caution Asparagus caution Aspirin caution Avocado caution Bacon caution Beets caution Benadryl (diphenhydramine) caution Bread caution Breakfast cereal caution Broccoli caution Brussels sprouts caution Cabbage caution Cake caution Cashews caution CBD oil caution Cheese caution Chips caution Cinnamon caution Claritin caution Coconut caution Cookies caution Corn caution Crab caution Crackers caution Cream cheese caution Dates caution Doughnuts caution Figs caution French fries caution Fruit juice caution Grapefruit caution Ham caution Honey caution Hydrogen peroxide caution Ice cream caution Imodium (loperamide) caution Kale caution Ketchup caution Liver caution Mashed potatoes caution Mayonnaise caution Melatonin caution Milk caution Mints caution Mushrooms caution Neosporin caution Oat milk caution Olives caution Pasta caution Peaches caution Peanut butter caution Peanuts caution Pecans caution Pepto-Bismol caution Pistachios caution Plums caution Pomegranate caution Popcorn caution Pork caution Potatoes caution Sausages caution Shrimp caution Silica gel packet caution Spinach caution Stick or wood caution Stickers caution Sugar caution Tea caution Tennis ball caution Tomatoes caution Tuna caution Yogurt caution

Hidden sources to watch for

Many toxic foods sneak into dishes you might not expect. If you're ever sharing human food with your dog, watch out for:

  • Gravy and stock — almost all contain onion, and often garlic
  • Fruitcake, cinnamon raisin bread, raisin granola, bread pudding with raisins — loaded with raisins and golden raisins
  • Sugar-free chewing gum and low-sugar peanut butter — often contain xylitol
  • Chocolate cookies, chocolate cereals, Halloween/Easter candy — theobromine everywhere
  • Coffee grounds and used pods — dogs find these in bins; highly concentrated caffeine
  • Takeout food — Chinese, Indian, Thai all typically contain onion and/or garlic
  • Playdough — homemade playdough is full of salt; store-bought can contain cream of tartar (a grape-family compound)
  • Baby food — many contain onion in the ingredients; always check

Unexpected vet bills can run into thousands

One emergency visit for food poisoning can cost $500–$10,000+. Compare US pet insurance in 60 seconds.

Learn about vet costs & insurance →

What to do if your dog has eaten something toxic

  1. Don't panic. Clear thinking helps you and your dog.
  2. Work out what was eaten, how much, and when. Take the packaging if possible.
  3. Call your vet immediately. Don't wait for symptoms to appear — with most toxins, treatment is most effective in the first 1–2 hours.
  4. If your vet is closed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (24/7, fees apply) or the nearest 24-hour emergency vet.
  5. Don't induce vomiting yourself unless your vet specifically tells you to. It's the wrong choice for many toxins and dangerous for some breeds.
  6. Don't feed milk, salt water, or anything else as a home remedy. None of the folk remedies help, and some make things worse.
Important: This page is a general reference, not veterinary advice. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic, contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not rely on online information alone in an emergency.