What Not to Feed Your Dog: Dangerous Foods to Avoid

Posted by Ryan Tanner on November 24, 2025

DOG SAFETY & NUTRITION

List of Foods That Are Bad for Dogs

Some human foods are harmless to us but dangerous for dogs. Learn which foods to avoid, what warning signs to take seriously, and what safe treat alternatives make more sense.

Toxic Foods Emergency Signs Safe Treat Swaps

Dogs’ bodies are different from human bodies, and certain foods simply are not compatible with your dog. Some can cause stomach upset, while others can be toxic or even life-threatening.

As a concerned dog owner, it is important to remember that not everything humans eat should be shared with your pup. Foods that seem healthy or harmless to you — like grapes, onions, avocado, or sugar-free candy — may be dangerous for dogs.

Keep these foods in mind, be careful with what falls on the floor, and choose dog-safe treats instead of random table scraps. For more feeding guidance, read our guide to the 6 basic nutritional requirements your dog needs.

Emergency note: if your dog eats a potentially toxic food, do not wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or pet poison control right away and tell them what your dog ate, how much, and when.

List of Foods That Are Bad for Dogs

Some foods are dangerous because they are toxic. Others are risky because they can cause choking, intestinal blockage, digestive upset, pancreatitis, or excess calories. When in doubt, do not feed it.

Food	Why It’s Dangerous	What to Do
Xylitol	A sugar substitute found in some gum, candy, toothpaste, baked goods, and diet foods. It can cause a dangerous blood sugar drop and liver injury in dogs.	Call a vet or poison control immediately.
Onions, garlic, chives	These allium foods can irritate the stomach and damage red blood cells.	Avoid cooked, raw, powdered, or mixed into food.
Chocolate	Contains theobromine and caffeine-like compounds that dogs cannot process well. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially risky.	Call a vet with the type and amount eaten.
Grapes and raisins	Can cause serious kidney injury in some dogs, and sensitivity varies.	Treat ingestion as urgent.
Macadamia nuts	Can affect the nervous system and muscles, causing weakness, vomiting, tremors, or other signs.	Keep all nut mixes away from dogs.
Alcohol and caffeine	Dogs are much more sensitive to alcohol and caffeine than humans. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, alcohol, and coffee grounds can be dangerous.	Do not allow access at all.

Important: toxic food risk depends on the food, amount, your dog’s size, and your dog’s health. But with xylitol, grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, alcohol, and caffeine, it is safest to call a professional right away.

Other Foods and Items to Avoid

Not every risky food is poisonous in the same way. Some are dangerous because they can cause blockages, choking, broken teeth, digestive upset, or too much fat or salt.

Corn on the cob: corn itself may be digestible for some dogs, but the cob can cause choking or intestinal blockage.

Avocado: avocado can cause digestive upset in dogs, and the pit is also a serious choking or blockage risk.

Cooked bones: cooked poultry bones and other cooked bones can splinter, injure the mouth or gut, or cause blockages.

Fruit pits: peach, plum, apricot, and similar pits can cause choking or intestinal blockage.

Too much salt or salty snacks: dogs get sodium from their regular food. Extra salty snacks can cause thirst, digestive upset, or more serious issues in large amounts.

Safe habit: keep trash cans closed, clear plates quickly, and teach a strong “leave it” cue so your dog is less likely to grab dropped food.

What Should You Feed Instead?

The safest routine is simple: stick to your dog’s normal complete and balanced food, then use dog-appropriate treats in moderation. Lean meats, plain cooked vegetables like sweet potato or pumpkin, and some dog-safe fruits may be okay for many dogs in small amounts, but they should not replace your dog’s main diet.

Avoid giving your dog random table scraps, especially meals that may contain hidden onions, garlic, butter, salt, sauces, spices, chocolate, or xylitol. If you want to reward your dog, choose treats made for dogs and introduce new items gradually.

Safe Treat Swap

Sweet Potato Slices

A simple, dog-friendly treat option when you want something more appropriate than table scraps or human snacks.

Simple plant-based snack
Great for gentle treating
Easy everyday reward

Shop Sweet Potato Slices

Human Sweets Are Not Dog Treats

Human sweets are one of the easiest ways for dogs to get into trouble. Candy, gum, baked goods, chocolate, diet desserts, and sugar-free snacks may contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. Xylitol is especially dangerous and can act quickly.

Instead of sharing sweets, keep dog treats on hand for rewarding good behavior. This gives your dog something enjoyable without the risk of hidden toxic ingredients.

Reward Without Human Candy

Peanut Butter & Honey Training Treats

Small training treats are useful when you want to reward your dog without sharing candy, cookies, or unsafe human snacks.

Great for quick rewards
Easy to portion
Helpful for training routines

Shop Training Treats

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Unsafe

If your dog eats something on this list, do not try to guess whether the amount was “enough” to be dangerous. Some toxins act quickly, and some symptoms may appear later. Fast professional guidance is safest.

Remove access. Take away the food and keep your dog from eating more.

Save the package. Keep wrappers, ingredient labels, or photos so the vet can identify the risk.

Call a professional. Contact your veterinarian, emergency animal hospital, or pet poison control.

Do not induce vomiting unless told to. Some situations require specific instructions from a veterinarian.

Call urgently if you see: vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizures, tremors, pale gums, severe diarrhea, trouble breathing, extreme restlessness, or sudden behavior changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat foods are most dangerous for dogs?

Xylitol, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, caffeine, macadamia nuts, and cooked bones are some of the most important foods or items to keep away from dogs.

QCan dogs eat chocolate?

No. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous, but any chocolate ingestion should be taken seriously.

QAre grapes and raisins really bad for dogs?

Yes. Grapes and raisins can cause serious kidney injury in some dogs. Because sensitivity varies, it is safest to call a veterinarian or poison control if your dog eats them.

QCan dogs eat sweet potatoes?

Plain sweet potato is generally considered a dog-friendly food for many dogs when served appropriately and in moderation. Avoid seasonings, butter, sugar, or marshmallows.

QWhat should I do if my dog ate something toxic?

Remove access to the food, save the package or ingredient label, and call your veterinarian, emergency animal hospital, or pet poison control immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.

Final Takeaway

Not every human food is safe for dogs. Xylitol, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine, cooked bones, corn cobs, and fruit pits are all foods or items dog owners should take seriously.

The safest approach is to feed your dog their regular complete and balanced food, avoid table scraps, keep toxic foods out of reach, and use dog-appropriate treats when you want to reward them.

Choose Safer Treats for Your Dog

Skip risky table scraps and reward your dog with treats made for dogs.

Shop Dog Treats & Chews

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Important Notice

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary, medical, toxicology, emergency, or nutritional advice. If your dog has eaten a potentially toxic food or object, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or pet poison control immediately. Do not wait for symptoms and do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinary professional. Brutus & Barnaby products and educational content are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always supervise your dog with any chew or treat, choose the right size for your dog, introduce new items gradually, and provide fresh water.