Dogs have a natural curiosity and are more than willing to consume just about anything. It is always tempting to share your food, but certain everyday human foods are not safe or even deadly to dogs.
Chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, xylitol, and several other foods can cause serious health problems. The ASPCA and FDA both recommend keeping these foods away from pets.
Knowing which foods are unsafe can help you protect your dog and avoid an emergency.
1. Chocolate
Of all the foods that should never be given to your dog, chocolate is the most widely recognized food. This is because of theobromine and caffeine, which dogs digest differently than humans
Depending on the amount and type consumed, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and other serious problems.
Instead of sharing human snacks, choose treats made specifically for dogs. LuluSpot’s Greenies Pill Pockets Chicken Flavor is one option designed for dogs and can be used when giving medication.
2. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins may look like healthy snacks, but they can be dangerous for dogs. Ingestion can lead to kidney damage, and the toxic amount can vary from dog to dog.
For this reason, don’t give your dog grapes, raisins, or foods containing them. Keep them away from countertops, lunch boxes, and other places where your dog may find them.
3. Onions, Garlic, and Chives
Onions, garlic, and chives are part of the Allium species and may lead to stomach irritation and red blood cell destruction in dogs, which may ultimately result in anemia. These foods can be found in various human foods and condiments.
It’s best to avoid feeding your dog table scraps because you may not always know which ingredients have been added.
Instead, stick to properly formulated dog food. LuluSpot’s Dog Food Collection includes dry, wet, puppy, adult, and other dog food options formulated specifically for canine diets.
4. Xylitol
Xylitol is a sweetener found in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste, and other products. It can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar in dogs and may also result in liver damage.
Always check ingredient labels before giving your dog any human food. Keep products containing xylitol in a closed cabinet where your dog cannot reach them.
5. Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeinated Drinks
Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other caffeinated products can be dangerous for dogs. Caffeine can cause restlessness, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and other serious symptoms.
Never leave coffee cups or caffeinated drinks where your dog can knock them over and drink from them.
6. Alcohol
Never give dogs alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, breathing difficulties, tremors, and potentially life-threatening complications.
Keep alcoholic drinks, foods containing alcohol, and open bottles away from pets.
7. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, depression, and increased body temperature in dogs. Signs can develop within hours after ingestion.
It’s safest to keep macadamia nuts and foods containing them completely away from your dog.
8. Raw Dough
Raw yeast dough can expand inside a dog’s stomach and produce gas and alcohol as it ferments. This can cause painful bloating and potentially become a serious emergency.
If you’re baking at home, keep rising dough safely away from curious pets.
9. Raw Meat, Raw Eggs, and Bones
Pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli are found in raw meat and eggs. Uncooked bones can pose choking risks or cause injuries if they break.
Instead of giving your dog random leftovers or bones, choose appropriate commercial dog food and treats designed for pets.
LuluSpot offers high-protein dog food and other options that can provide balanced nutrition without relying on unsafe human foods.
10. Foods High in Salt
Too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and, in serious cases, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and other problems.
Avoid giving your dog salty snacks, heavily seasoned foods, and large amounts of processed human food.
11. Fatty Foods
Very fatty foods can cause digestive upset and may contribute to pancreatitis in some pets. Fatty leftovers, greasy meat, and heavily prepared foods are therefore best avoided.
Your dog doesn’t need table scraps to have a tasty meal. LuluSpot’s Adult Dog Food Collection offers different food options designed specifically for adult dogs.
12. Milk and Some Dairy Products
Many dogs don’t produce enough lactase to digest lactose properly. As a result, milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea or digestive upset.
While some dogs may tolerate small amounts of certain dairy products, it’s generally better not to make dairy a regular part of their diet unless recommended by your veterinarian.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Something Dangerous?
If you think your dog has eaten a potentially toxic food, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Contact your veterinarian or an appropriate animal poison-control service as soon as possible.
Try to determine what the dog may have eaten, the quantity ingested, and the time of ingestion. If there is packaging involved, keep it handy, as it may be useful in evaluating the case.
Don’t attempt to make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian or qualified professional specifically tells you to do so.
How to Prevent Accidental Poisoning
Preventing access is easier than dealing with an emergency. Keep unsafe foods in closed cabinets, don’t leave food unattended on countertops, and make sure everyone in the household knows which foods are dangerous.
Be especially careful during holidays, parties, family gatherings, and cooking because dogs may have more opportunities to find dropped food or unattended plates.
You can also keep appropriate dog food and treats available so your dog has safe alternatives. LuluSpot’s Dog Food Collection includes a range of food options for puppies and adult dogs.
Safe Alternatives for Treat Time
Dogs don’t need human snacks to enjoy a tasty reward. Choose treats made specifically for dogs and give them in appropriate portions.
For example, Greenies Pill Pockets Chicken Flavor can be useful when giving medication, while a complete dog food formula from LuluSpot can provide the everyday nutrition your dog needs.
Do not forget that treats must only be supplements to your pet’s normal nutrition.
Final Thoughts
Many foods that are perfectly normal for people can be unsafe for dogs. Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, caffeine, alcohol, macadamia nuts, raw dough, and other potentially harmful foods away from your pet.
The easiest way to protect your dog is to avoid sharing unknown human foods, check ingredient labels, and keep potentially dangerous foods stored safely.
For everyday meals, choose food made specifically for dogs and suited to their age, size, and nutritional needs. Explore LuluSpot’s dog food and pet essentials for dog food, treats, bowls, toys, and other products to help keep your pet happy and healthy.