The 9 Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs—And the Ones You Can Safely Swap In
As much as we might love to share with our dogs, certain foods are just not good for them at all, no matter how you slice it. There are some foods that are toxic in small amounts, some that are dangerous only if given in larger amounts and some that we aren't even sure how toxic they are.The following are nine of the most dangerous foods you can give to your dogs, plus some safe and healthy alternatives.No toxic dose has even been determined. We do know there's a toxic compound, which is, as of yet, unidentified and possibly not present in all grapes, but some compound in the fruit can cause kidney failure in dogs.Dogs suffer from vomiting and diarrhea when they eat grapes, and no specific cure is available, so they just need to be avoided. Raisins can also be just as toxic, and it's safer to avoid all members of that fruit family (currants, for example).
This artificial sweetener, also known as xylitol, is toxic. One problem is that it's present in some foods and medications for humans and isn't even listed in the ingredients. Many products like ice cream and other human treats contain xylitol.A second problem is that it can appear as something different on the label since the traditional name, xylitol, sounds so artificial.
The problem with onions is that they have a cumulative effect, so even if only a small dose is given every day, the red blood cells that are affected will eventually cause anemia and can kill your dog. A higher dose will cause vomiting and diarrhea, and the red blood cell damage can cause organ failure and death.
The main problem is the fat levels in these nuts. Dogs may develop pancreatitis from them, just like they do after eating a lot of chicken skin, fat trimmings or a bowl of drippings from the Thanksgiving turkey.The toxic dose for macadamia nuts is quite small, but like all toxins, it's related to the dog's body weight. A tiny dog like a Maltese or Chihuahua could develop pancreatitis after eating only a few nuts. Larger dogs would take a lot more to develop symptoms, but these and other fatty nuts should never be given to any dogs.
The chemicals found in cocoa (theobromine and some others) are toxic to dogs. Cocoa beans are bitter, and not many dogs would even eat them if given the chance, but the problem is that if dogs see us eating a treat, like raisins covered in dark chocolate, they will sit and beg.If they eat them and only vomit or have diarrhea, they'll probably be fine, but theobromine can also cause seizures, fast heart rates and even death.
When bones are cooked, they become hard and brittle. There's an immediate choking hazard, and if the bone is swallowed, it can perforate the esophagus, stomach or intestine. Cooked bones are also more likely to cause constipation, so if your dog is straining, this can be a cause.
The effects of alcohol are more visible in dogs because of their metabolism and smaller body weight, and if you leave a drink down, they're likely to investigate and drink it, especially a mixed drink that has sweeteners.Smaller amounts will cause vomiting and diarrhea, but larger amounts will cause tremors, lethargy and seizures, so if your dog is exposed, they should be examined. Be sure to take the mixer you used to the vet so that any artificial sweeteners that might have been added can be evaluated.
If your dog has coffee, the toxin is caffeine. In some cases, it can be fatal, and since dogs are a lot more sensitive than we are, one cup of coffee could be all it takes. It can cause hyperexcitement, tremors and even seizures, and if your coffee had milk and sugar added, vomiting and diarrhea are even more likely.
Despite their toxicity, edibles aren't listed on most sites as being toxic to dogs. They should be. Dogs aren't likely to eat much hash or raw pot, as it tastes bad, but edibles are a different category. As marijuana becomes decriminalized in more states, these are more common than they used to be and are more likely to be left out where dogs can find them.Dogs have more cannabinoid receptors than humans, and edibles may also contain xylitol, chocolate or caffeine. THC, the psychoactive compound that's concentrated in the edibles, causes severe health problems in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and coma. It can be lethal at high doses.
Dogs like to find things you leave lying around and like to chew anything, whether edible or not. If you like to snack, there's certainly nothing wrong with giving your dog something at the same time, as long as you consider the additional calories.Some of the alternative snacks you can give your dog include:
Vegetables: Many dogs like pumpkin, so you can use canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix, as it contains spices) and cut it up into smaller chunks. I find that many dogs like them lightly salted. You can also use carrot slices, green beans (chopped up into quarter-inch pieces) or small pieces of sliced sweet potato.
Fruit: Good options include apple slices (a good source of fiber and many vitamins), blueberries (an excellent source of antioxidants), raspberries, strawberries, banana slices or even watermelon, although I do find it kind of sloppy if feeding by hand.
Meat: This can be kind of messy as an alternative treat, but there are several companies that sell chicken hearts and chicken liver as freeze-dried treats. An inexpensive option is beef liver, which can be sliced into small chunks and then cooked in an air fryer for a few minutes until it's dry and easy to handle.
Eggs: I usually include eggs in the regular meal plan, but boiled and sliced eggs are also a great treat. My main problem with this is that my dogs love them, and they usually eat them even faster than the other treats.
Please keep in mind that all of these treats contain calories and, if given in excess, will eventually make your dog overweight or obese. Whole-food treats can be a great addition to the diet if you want to get away from ultra-processed dry dog foods, but like all things, they need to be given in moderation.Up Next:Fitzgerald KT, Bronstein AC, Newquist KL. Marijuana poisoning. Top Companion Anim Med. 2013 Feb;28(1):8-12. doi: 10.1053/j.tcam.2013.03.004. PMID: 23796481. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23796481/
The 9 Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs—And the Ones You Can Safely Swap In first appeared on Parade Pets on Jul 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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