Q. Which foods could be dangerous for my dog?
A. Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because
of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and
even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of
course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat.
Items to avoid Reasons to avoid
Alcoholic beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Baby food: Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also
result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Cat food: Generally too high in protein and fats.
Chocolate, coffee, tea,
and other caffeine: Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and
nervous systems.
Grapes and raisins: Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems
associated with grape seed extract.
Hops: Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures,
and death.
Human vitamin
supplements containing
iron: Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the
liver and kidneys.
Large amounts of liver: Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia nuts: Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Marijuana: Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
Moldy or spoiled food,
garbage: Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
Mushrooms: Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in
death.
Persimmons: Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Pits from fruits: Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
Salt: If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
String: Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."
Sugary foods: Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Tobacco: Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart
beat, collapse, coma, and death.
Yeast dough: Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the
stomach or intestines.
Xylitol
(artificial sweetener): Can cause liver failure.
"Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog", Pet Education.com. <http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030>
A. Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because
of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and
even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of
course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat.
Items to avoid Reasons to avoid
Alcoholic beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Baby food: Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also
result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Cat food: Generally too high in protein and fats.
Chocolate, coffee, tea,
and other caffeine: Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and
nervous systems.
Grapes and raisins: Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems
associated with grape seed extract.
Hops: Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures,
and death.
Human vitamin
supplements containing
iron: Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the
liver and kidneys.
Large amounts of liver: Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia nuts: Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Marijuana: Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
Moldy or spoiled food,
garbage: Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
Mushrooms: Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in
death.
Persimmons: Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Pits from fruits: Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
Salt: If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
String: Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."
Sugary foods: Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Tobacco: Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart
beat, collapse, coma, and death.
Yeast dough: Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the
stomach or intestines.
Xylitol
(artificial sweetener): Can cause liver failure.
"Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog", Pet Education.com. <http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030>
