Foods Toxic to Dogs and Cats: What to Avoid and What to Do in an Emergency

Many everyday foods that are safe, even healthy, for people can make dogs and cats seriously ill. Pets do not know what is dangerous, and a dog that raids the counter or a cat that licks a plate can swallow something harmful in seconds. Knowing the main culprits helps you keep them out of reach and act quickly if something goes wrong.

This guide covers the most common toxic foods for dogs and cats, what they do, and what to do in an emergency. It is not complete, because lists change as veterinary toxicology learns more. For any specific food, check with your vet or a poison control service such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline.

If your pet has eaten something dangerous

Act first, read later. If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian, an emergency vet clinic, or a pet poison service straight away. Have the following ready: your pet's weight and species, what they ate, roughly how much, and when. Take the packaging with you if you can.

• Do not wait for symptoms. With some toxins, such as grapes, xylitol or lily, signs can be delayed while damage is already happening.
• Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison service tells you to. It can be unsafe for some substances and for some animals, and it is not advised for cats at home.
• Both the ASPCA and the Pet Poison Helpline provide 24-hour phone advice for a consultation fee. Check their websites for the current numbers. In the UK, contact your vet or an out-of-hours emergency clinic.

Quick reference table

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs and cats process slowly. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains: baking chocolate and cocoa powder are far more dangerous than milk chocolate, and the risk also depends on your pet's size and how much they ate. Signs include vomiting, restlessness, a racing heart, tremors and in serious cases seizures. Call your vet even if the amount seems small.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum and mints, some peanut butters, toothpaste, baked goods, and certain medications and supplements. In dogs it can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to dangerously low blood sugar, and in larger doses liver failure. Always read the ingredients on peanut butter before sharing it, and treat any suspected xylitol ingestion as an emergency. Cats seem less sensitive, but there is less data, so keep it away from them too.

Grapes, raisins and currants

Grapes and dried grapes (raisins, sultanas and currants) can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Some dogs eat a handful with no problem and others become gravely ill from a small amount, and we cannot predict which, so any ingestion should be treated as an emergency. Hot cross buns, fruit cake and trail mix are common hidden sources.

Onions, garlic, chives and leeks

These belong to the allium family, and they damage red blood cells. Raw, cooked, dried and powdered forms all count, so garlic powder in a seasoned sauce or onion in baby food can be a risk. Cats are generally more sensitive than dogs, and symptoms such as weakness, pale gums and lethargy can appear a few days after eating.

Macadamia nuts

Macadamias can cause weakness (especially in the back legs), vomiting, tremors and a raised temperature in dogs. The exact toxin is not known. Nuts in cookies, often paired with chocolate, are a common route.

Alcohol and raw dough

Pets are much smaller than people, and even a small amount of alcohol can cause serious intoxication. Raw bread dough is a double threat: it expands in the warm stomach, and the yeast ferments the sugars into alcohol. Keep dough, drinks and alcohol-containing foods out of reach.

Caffeine

Coffee grounds, tea bags, energy drinks and some medications contain caffeine, which stimulates the heart and nervous system in the same way as theobromine. Treat any ingestion seriously.

Bones, fat and salt

Cooked bones can splinter and cause mouth injuries, blockages or tears in the gut. Fatty trimmings and rich leftovers can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea and pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious condition. Large amounts of salt, whether from salty snacks, salt dough or seawater, can cause salt poisoning, so keep pets away from play dough made with salt.

Foods that are not toxic but are not ideal

• Milk and dairy: not poisonous, but many adult dogs and cats are lactose intolerant and may get diarrhoea.
• Avocado: the ASPCA notes it can upset the stomach in dogs and cats, and the large pit is a choking and blockage hazard.
• Raw meat and eggs: can carry bacteria such as Salmonella that affect pets and the people who handle their food.
• Fruit pits and seeds: some contain compounds that release cyanide when chewed in large amounts, and all are a blockage risk.
• Mouldy food and compost: can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures.

Safer treat ideas

Plenty of foods are generally considered safe for dogs in small amounts, such as plain cooked chicken, carrot sticks, cucumber, blueberries and plain cooked pumpkin. Cats are obligate carnivores, so small pieces of plain cooked meat are better than fruit and vegetables. Whatever you choose, introduce it gradually, avoid seasoning, and count it towards your pet's daily calories. Treats should usually stay under about 10 percent of daily calories. Use the feeding calculator to see what your pet's daily total looks like.

Prevention tips

• Keep food out of reach on counters and in bags, and use bins with lids.
• Tell visitors and children not to share human food, especially at holidays and parties.
• Store medications, supplements and gum in closed cupboards.
• Be careful with plants: lilies are particularly dangerous for cats, and even the pollen or vase water can cause harm.
• Check labels for xylitol before sharing anything sugar-free.
• Save your vet's number and an emergency clinic's number in your phone.

Homemade diets and safety

If you prepare your pet's meals at home, toxic ingredients are only one risk. Homemade diets are also commonly unbalanced, and recipes found online often leave out key nutrients. Read our guide to homemade dog food basics before you start, and work with a veterinary nutritionist.

For more reading, VCA Animal Hospitals publishes plain-language articles on many individual toxins. This article is a general overview and does not replace advice from your veterinarian or a poison control service.

Keeping the household on the same page

Most poisoning accidents happen when routines slip: a guest feeds a snack, a child shares lunch, or no one is sure what the dog has already eaten. PetKira lets everyone in your household log meals and treats, so you always know what your pet has had. You can download PetKira for Android and try it free with no credit card. iPhone is coming soon.