6 things you should never feed your dog (but many owners still do)

You love your dog and want the best for them. We all do.

Yet, when those pleading eyes stare up at you during dinner, many of us reach down with a piece of whatever we're eating without giving it a second thought. Here's the thing though: some foods that seem harmless to us can seriously harm our furry companions.

Every year, poison control centers across the country receive hundreds of thousands of calls about dogs who've eaten something toxic. In 2023, poison control teams helped more than 400,000 animals from across all 50 states with toxicology cases.

Let's be real, that's a staggering number. Many of these situations could've been prevented if owners knew which common foods were dangerous.

Chocolate: The Classic Killer Nobody Takes Seriously Enough

Chocolate continues to rise on the list making up 13% of the exposures seen in 2023. One of the most common toxicities in dogs is caused by chocolate ingestion.

Most people have heard that chocolate is bad for dogs, yet it remains one of the top causes of pet poisoning. Why?

Dogs should never eat chocolate because it contains toxic substances called methylxanthines, which are stimulants that stop a dog's metabolic process. Even just a little bit of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Here's what makes this particularly scary: the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it becomes. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg per ounce of theobromine, semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce.

That baking chocolate sitting in your pantry? In general, mild clinical signs (vomiting, diarrhea, polydipsia) may occur in dogs ingesting 20 mg/kg; cardiotoxic effects occur after ingesting 40–50 mg/kg, and seizures occur after ingesting doses ≥ 60 mg/kg.

It's roughly nine times more dangerous than the milk chocolate bar in your purse.

Xylitol: The Hidden Danger Lurking in Sugar-Free Products

When dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, and may result in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. This rapid release of insulin may result in a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of eating the xylitol.

Untreated, this hypoglycemia can quickly be life-threatening.

The most common source of xylitol poisoning that Pet Poison Helpline gets calls about comes from sugar-free gum, although xylitol poisoning from other sources, such as supplements and baked goods, are on the rise.

Doses of xylitol greater than approximately 100 mg/kg (45 mg/lb) have been associated with hypoglycemia in dogs. Even more concerning, higher doses can trigger liver failure.

Of the 192 cases, 122 dogs (+63%) were hospitalized for supportive care and 30 dogs (+15%) became hypoglycemic at some point during evaluation at a veterinary teaching hospital.

Grapes and Raisins: The Mystery Toxin That Destroys Kidneys

The ingestion of grapes or raisins has been reported to cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs, with a clinical picture dominated by early gastrointestinal signs and rapidly developing uremia. What makes grapes and raisins so frightening is that scientists still don't fully understand why they're toxic.

There's no predictable dose response relationship here. While some dogs remain asymptomatic after consuming a kilo of raisins, others die from the ingestion of a few grapes.

It is estimated that around 50% of dogs die from kidney failure after eating them. Fifty-three percent of the 43 dogs survived, with 15 of these 23 having a complete resolution of clinical signs and azotemia.

It's hard to say for sure why some dogs are more sensitive, but why would you risk it?

Onions and Garlic: Everyday Kitchen Staples That Spell Trouble

Garlic is 3–5 times more toxic than onion. Dogs can be affected by eating products from the Allium group including garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and related plants, as sulfur-containing compounds in these plants can affect red blood cells, resulting in Heinz body anemia.

This isn't some immediate dramatic reaction, which makes it even more insidious. The problem is accumulation.

In dogs, ingestion of 15–30 g/kg of raw onion has resulted in clinical signs. Hemolysis typically occurs 3–5 days after exposure.

2% of calls to poison control in 2023. The scary part is that cooked onions and garlic are just as toxic as raw ones.

Macadamia Nuts: The Mysterious Muscle Toxin

Macadamia nuts contain a toxin that can affect your dog's muscles and nervous system resulting in weakness, swollen limbs and panting. While they're not typically fatal, the symptoms are distressing to watch.

The symptoms can appear relatively quickly after ingestion. Dogs might seem drunk or unable to stand properly.

Fortunately, most dogs recover with supportive care, but why risk it in the first place? What's particularly frustrating about macadamia nut toxicity is that the exact mechanism of poisoning remains unknown.

We know they cause problems, yet scientists haven't pinpointed the specific compound responsible.

Alcohol: Even Small Amounts Can Be Catastrophic

Dogs metabolize alcohol very differently than humans do. Dogs metabolize theobromine and caffeine differently than people, making them more sensitive to the chemicals' effects.

This principle applies to alcohol as well. Even a small amount of beer, wine, or liquor can cause serious intoxication in dogs.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, disorientation, high body temperature, restlessness, excessive panting, muscle tremors, and seizures. In severe cases, alcohol ingestion can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Some owners think it's funny to let their dog lick up beer spills or taste their cocktail, yet this is genuinely dangerous behavior. The same goes for foods containing alcohol, like rum cake or dishes prepared with wine.

Keeping Your Best Friend Safe

The pattern here is clear. Foods that seem perfectly fine for humans can wreak absolute havoc on our canine companions.

Their bodies just aren't built to handle the same things ours are. Checking ingredient labels, keeping dangerous foods out of reach, and resisting those pleading eyes at the dinner table can literally save your dog's life.

If you even suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Call your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately.

Prevention is always easier than treatment. Store foods in sealed containers, keep trash cans secure, and educate everyone in your household about what dogs can't eat.

Train your dog not to beg at the table, and never leave food unattended where they can reach it. If you want to share something special with your pup, there are plenty of dog safe treats available.

What would you do if your dog got into something dangerous?

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