20 Human Foods That Are Harmful for Dogs

Avoid feeding your pups these foods to help ensure a lifetime of health and happiness.

July 14, 2021

By: Erin Gifford

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Keeping Pups Happy & Healthy

We all want the very best for our dogs. They are our best friends. We walk them, we groom them, sometimes we even slip them food under the table. It's okay to let pups have table scraps from time to time, but we need to make wise decisions for the health and safety of our dogs. Here's what to never feed dogs in order to keep them happy, healthy and by our sides for years to come.

Avocados

You may love avocado toast and from-scratch guacamole, but keep these faves away from your beloved pup. The leaves, bark and seed of an avocado contain a natural fungicide called persin. It's not toxic to humans, but in large quantities, it can cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Worse, swallowing the large seed can cause an intestinal obstruction.

Candy

Candy can be sweet, sour, sticky and sugary. It can also be disastrous for dogs because of a sweetener called xylitol. A huge range of candies, diet foods, even toothpastes and children's medications, are sweetened up with xylitol. Even in small amounts, xylitol can be toxic to pups. Your dog's blood sugar can plummet, and he may even have seizures or liver failure.

Milk & Dairy Products

Dogs like to drink water. It's clean, it's fat-free, it's hydrating. It's also abundantly available. There's no need to fill your pup's bowl with milk to drink. Dogs, especially adult dogs, have a hard time digesting milk. They lack a hearty supply of the enzyme lactase, so it's difficult to process the lactose in milk. This can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, even pancreatitis if they load up on high-fat dairy products.

Coffee

Many of us like to start the day with morning coffee, but keep your cuppa joe away from your pup. Not just cups of coffee, but coffee grounds and coffee beans, including chocolate-covered espresso beans. It's the caffeine that's dangerous and toxic to dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. They like the smell just like you, so keep your brewed coffee and coffee grounds away from your dog, including what you discard in the trash can.

Gum

Like candy, sugar-free gum is also chock full of the sweetener xylitol. Even one piece of gum can lead to an accidental poisoning. Gum is surprisingly toxic and among the worst people foods that a dog can ingest. In dogs, xylitol can cause a release in insulin that leads to dangerously low blood sugar. An overdose can cause a loss of balance, difficulty walking, even seizures or unconsciousness.

Corn on the Cob

Fresh corn on the cob is delish when paired with burgers or grilled steaks. As humans, we know to eat the kernels, not the cob. Dogs aren't as tuned in to such knowledge. They're also more than capable of eating a whole corn cob. It's okay for pups to eat kernels, but if you drop the cob, pick it up quickly. Corn cobs cannot be digested. If swallowed whole, they'll need to come back out whole or the cob will cause an intestinal blockage.

Raisins & Grapes

Grapes and raisins can be delicious, especially chocolate-covered raisins, but they can easily make your pup sick as a dog (pun intended). There's no consensus on what it is that causes kidney failure in some dogs, but it's best to keep your pets away from grapes and raisins. Even just a few can cause a dog to vomit or become sluggish. Interestingly, grape jellies and juices are not considered toxic to dogs. The American Kennel Club has a helpful list of fruits and vegetables that are okay and not okay for dogs.

Onions & Garlic

Garlic and onions are a staple in many kitchens, but keep these flavor enhancers away from dogs. That goes for all forms, including raw, cooked, minced and dehydrated. Even garlic salt and garlic powder should be avoided. Onion and garlic can destroy red blood cells, which leads to anemia. If your pup eats a lot at once, look past his breath for health concerns, like vomiting and sluggishness.

Rhubarb

There's nothing like a fresh rhubarb pie, but if you plan to make one from scratch, keep an eye on the ingredients. While rhubarb stems are safe for pups, the leaves can be toxic. It's the oxalic acid in these greens that can be poisonous when ingested in large quantities. An overdose can cause drooling and vomiting, even renal failure in some instances. The roots can be toxic too, so keep your pup out of the garden.

Nuts

There are so many reasons to avoid nuts when it comes to dogs. Some are toxic, others are high in fat. Some nuts are salted and seasoned, others are choking hazards. It's impossible to keep a running tally of which nuts are okay and which are not okay, so just keep them all away from your pup. Your dog can get protein, fiber and healthy fats, as well as needed vitamins and minerals, from other food sources, per PetMD.

Alcohol

Never give your dog a beer, a shot or a few sips of wine in their dog bowl. Alcohol has the same effects on the liver and brain of a dog as it does on a human. Even large dogs are smaller than human adults, so it doesn't take much to harm your pup, causing vomiting, nausea, poor balance and coordination. The effects of alcohol poisoning are much the same as in humans.

Coconut

Coconut products are on-trend these days. There's coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil and coconut powder. We're all clamoring for coconut, but practice moderation when it comes to your dog and all forms of this fruit. Coconut is naturally high in medium-chain triglycerides. It's not toxic to pups, but it can cause irritation to dogs with sensitive tummies and may cause uncomfortable bloating and stomach troubles.

Chocolate

Many of us know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but what exactly is it about chocolate that's so detrimental? It's the theobromine, an alkaline in the cacao plant that is used to make chocolate. It's in all kinds of chocolate too, including white, dark and milk. Dark chocolate contains very high levels of theobromine, and is therefore the most toxic to dogs. Chocolate can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, even tremors and seizures, according to Pet Poison Helpline.

Fatty Foods

Dogs can transform fats in foods into energy, but it's wise to seek moderation when it comes to fat in foods. Foods that are high in fat, like bacon, sausage, French fries, potato chips and doughnuts, are not good for dogs, especially when eaten in large quantities. They can lead to tummy aches, vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, pancreatitis may arise, so keep your pup from sneaking unhealthy treats.

Salt

For many of us, salt just makes everything taste that much better. However, just like with humans, moderation is the key, and too much salt can cause troubles for humans and dogs. In pups, salt poisoning can even occur if he takes in too much in a very short period of time. Without access to fresh water, your pup can suffer from thirst, tremors, vomiting, seizures and kidney damage. Take the salt shaker off the kitchen counter and the salt dough out of the kids' playroom.

Apples

Dogs can eat apples. They are high in fiber and are very good sources of vitamins C and A. However, do not give your pup a whole apple. Cut off apple slices for your dog to enjoy. As in, minus the core and seeds, which are toxic to dogs. The seeds contain cyanide. Specifically, a cyanide-based compound called amygdalin. When the seeds are chewed, digestive enzymes kick in to help create cyanide. Eating enough apple seeds – as well as cherry pits and peach pits – can be harmful to dogs.

Bread & Pizza Dough

It's okay to make homemade bread or pizza. However, this becomes an issue with dogs when they eat the dough before it has completely risen. Even inside your pup's stomach, the dough still needs to rise, and it will, according to Rover.com. This can cause distension in your dog and gas issues. Keep the rising dough far from your pup to keep him away from a potentially life-threatening situation.

Cooked Bones

We all associate dogs with bones, but cooked bones are a real no-no when it comes to pups. When bones are cooked, they become brittle. They can splinter when a dog chews them and cause real harm when a pup swallows a cooked bone. Worse, they can block or perforate the intestines, even cause teeth fractures or mouth injuries. Ouch. Simply put, keep the cooked bones away from your dog.

Citrus Fruits

Many of us start our days with a glass of orange juice, but citric acid, which is found in oranges, lemons and limes, is a no-go for dogs. Thankfully, most dogs reject citrus fruits and juices on their own. Given their high acidity and sugar content, it's best to keep citrus fruits out of your pup's daily diet. In the worst-case scenario, your dog may have a bellyache or diarrhea from eating citrus fruits.

Fish

Of course, dogs can eat fish. Fish is an ingredient in many commercially available dog foods as it's a great source of protein. However, it's best to consume fish in food products prepared especially for dogs. It's not wise to serve pups raw fish, fried fish or scaly fish. The fish bones cannot safely travel through your dog's digestive tract. The bones can also pose a choking hazard.