47 Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs: The Complete List
Every year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handles over 400,000 calls about potential pet poisonings — and a significant portion involve foods that owners had no idea were dangerous. You might be sharing a snack with your dog right now that is quietly damaging their liver, kidneys, or red blood cells.
This complete, research-backed list covers all 47 foods confirmed toxic to dogs, organized with their toxic compounds, symptoms to watch for, and severity ratings so you know exactly how quickly to act.
Why Some Human Foods Are Deadly for Dogs
Dogs metabolize food very differently from humans. Compounds that our livers process harmlessly — such as theobromine in chocolate or disulfide in onions — build up to toxic levels in dogs because their enzymes lack the capacity to break them down efficiently. Body weight matters enormously: a grape that causes mild discomfort in a large Labrador could cause acute kidney failure in a Chihuahua.
The Complete Table: 47 Toxic Foods for Dogs
Severity key: Mild = GI upset, resolves on its own | Moderate = vet visit recommended | Severe = emergency vet required | Fatal = can kill without immediate treatment
| Food | Toxic Compound | Symptoms | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate (dark) | Theobromine, caffeine | Vomiting, tremors, seizures, cardiac arrhythmia | Fatal |
| Grapes & Raisins | Unknown (possibly tartaric acid) | Vomiting, lethargy, acute kidney failure | Fatal |
| Xylitol (gum, candies, PB) | Xylitol | Sudden hypoglycemia, liver failure, seizures | Fatal |
| Onions (raw, cooked, powdered) | N-propyl disulfide | Hemolytic anemia, weakness, red urine | Severe |
| Garlic | Thiosulfate / organosulfides | Anemia, vomiting, weakness (5× more toxic than onion) | Severe |
| Macadamia Nuts | Unknown toxin | Weakness, hyperthermia, tremors, paralysis | Severe |
| Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) | Ethanol | CNS depression, coma, respiratory failure | Fatal |
| Coffee & Caffeine | Methylxanthines | Rapid breathing, tremors, seizures | Severe |
| Avocado | Persin | Vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, myocardial damage | Moderate–Severe |
| Yeast Dough (raw) | Ethanol + CO₂ expansion | Bloat, alcohol poisoning, GI obstruction | Severe |
| Nutmeg | Myristicin | Hallucinations, rapid heart rate, seizures | Severe |
| Leeks | Organosulfides | Same as onion: hemolytic anemia | Severe |
| Chives | Organosulfides | Anemia, GI upset, pale gums | Moderate |
| Shallots | Organosulfides | Anemia, weakness, vomiting | Moderate |
| Chocolate (milk) | Theobromine, caffeine | Vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, tremors | Moderate–Severe |
| Chocolate (white) | Trace theobromine, high fat | Pancreatitis, vomiting | Mild–Moderate |
| Apple Seeds & Core | Amygdalin (cyanide) | Difficulty breathing, shock | Moderate |
| Cherry Pits | Cyanogenic glycosides | Cyanide poisoning, bright red gums, shock | Severe |
| Peach & Plum Pits | Amygdalin + cyanide | Dilated pupils, rapid breathing, collapse | Severe |
| Apricot Pits | Cyanide | Shock, respiratory distress | Severe |
| Star Fruit | Oxalate nephrotoxins | Kidney failure, vomiting, lethargy | Severe |
| Tomato (green, leaves) | Solanine, tomatine | GI upset, weakness, depression (ripe flesh: safer) | Mild–Moderate |
| Raw Potatoes & Leaves | Solanine | Vomiting, diarrhea, CNS depression | Moderate |
| Rhubarb Leaves | Soluble oxalates | Drooling, vomiting, kidney failure | Severe |
| Walnuts (black) | Juglone + mold mycotoxins | Seizures, tremors, muscle weakness | Severe |
| Pecans | Juglone, aflatoxins (moldy) | GI upset, liver damage, tremors | Moderate |
| Almonds | Pancreatitis risk (fat) | Vomiting, diarrhea, gas, potential obstruction | Mild |
| Salt (large amounts) | Sodium ion toxicosis | Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, brain swelling | Severe |
| Baking Powder / Soda | Sodium bicarbonate | Electrolyte imbalance, muscle spasms, heart failure | Severe |
| Mustard Seeds | Isothiocyanates | GI irritation, vomiting | Mild |
| Hops (beer-making) | Unknown — resins | Hyperthermia, panting, seizures, death | Fatal |
| Cassava / Tapioca (raw) | Cyanogenic glycosides | Paralysis, respiratory failure | Severe |
| Elderberries (unripe) | Cyanogenic glycosides | Cyanide toxicity, vomiting, convulsions | Severe |
| Currants (black/red) | Unknown nephrotoxin (like grapes) | Kidney failure | Fatal |
| Citrus (large amounts) | Psoralen, limonene (oils/peel) | Photosensitivity, CNS depression, vomiting | Mild–Moderate |
| Coconut Flesh (excess) | High fat, MCT | Diarrhea, pancreatitis | Mild |
| Raw Salmon / Trout | Neorickettsia helminthoeca | Salmon poisoning disease: vomiting, high fever, death | Fatal |
| Raw Liver (excess) | Vitamin A toxicity | Bone deformities, muscle weakness, lethargy | Moderate |
| Corn Cobs | Mechanical obstruction | GI blockage, vomiting, pain | Severe |
| Fruit Pits (general) | Amygdalin, physical obstruction | Choking, cyanide poisoning | Severe |
| Cooked Bones (chicken, pork) | Splinter fragments | GI perforation, internal bleeding | Severe |
| Artificial Sweeteners (sorbitol) | Sorbitol (osmotic) | Severe diarrhea, dehydration | Mild |
| Energy Drinks | Caffeine, taurine, sugar | Tremors, heart arrhythmia, seizures | Severe |
| Tea (large amounts) | Theine (caffeine), tannins | Vomiting, heart palpitations | Moderate |
| Gum (xylitol-free, sorbitol) | Sorbitol | Osmotic diarrhea | Mild |
| Spicy Foods (chili, pepper) | Capsaicin | GI pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea | Mild |
| Blue Cheese (Roquefort) | Roquefortine C | Tremors, seizures, high temperature | Severe |
The Most Dangerous: A Deeper Look
Xylitol — The Hidden Killer
Xylitol is the most acutely dangerous food toxin for dogs, gram for gram. Found in sugar-free gum, some peanut butters, protein bars, vitamins, and even toothpaste, xylitol triggers a massive insulin release that crashes blood sugar within 30 minutes. At higher doses, it causes irreversible liver failure. Always check ingredient labels before sharing any human food with your dog.
Grapes, Raisins & Currants — No Safe Dose
Researchers still do not fully understand why grapes are toxic to dogs, but the suspected culprit is tartaric acid. What is known: there is no established safe dose. A single raisin has caused acute kidney failure in small dogs. Some dogs eat grapes with no apparent effect; others die from a small amount. Never risk it.
Chocolate — Dose-Dependent Death
Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain the highest concentrations of theobromine. A 50-pound dog can reach a potentially fatal dose from as little as 4 ounces of baker's chocolate. Use the ASPCA's online chocolate toxicity calculator if exposure occurs.
Hops — Especially Dangerous for Certain Breeds
Homebrew beer ingredients — particularly hops — are severely toxic to dogs. They cause malignant hyperthermia, a rapid and catastrophic rise in body temperature. Greyhounds, Labrador Retrievers, and other breeds with low body fat appear most susceptible, but no dog is safe from hops exposure.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet. With some toxins, vomiting causes more harm.
- Call ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 or your emergency vet immediately.
- Note the time, amount eaten, and your dog's weight — this information is critical for treatment decisions.
- Bring the packaging to the vet if you can.
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Key Takeaways
- Xylitol, grapes/raisins, and chocolate are the three most common causes of fatal dog poisoning from food.
- Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives all damage red blood cells — cooked or raw, powdered or fresh, they are all dangerous.
- There is no known safe dose of grapes, raisins, or currants for dogs.
- Hops (used in homebrewing) can cause fatal hyperthermia even in small amounts.
- Always check peanut butter and sugar-free product labels for xylitol before sharing with your dog.
- Raw salmon and trout can carry a parasite that causes salmon poisoning disease — cook all fish before serving.
- If in doubt, call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 before symptoms appear.
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Scientific References
- Cortinovis C, Caloni F. Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats. Front Vet Sci. 2016;3:26. PubMed: 27200363
- Brutlag AG, Hovda LR. Acute Kidney Injury Following Ingestion of Grapes or Raisins in Dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2011;21(3):288-295. PubMed: 21672099