Foods Toxic to Dogs: The Vet-Reviewed List

These 31 foods are toxic to dogs, according to the guides our veterinarian reviewed. If she ate any of them, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 now, even if she seems fine.

Quick answers

Which foods are toxic to dogs?

These 31 foods are toxic to dogs: Alcohol, Baking soda and baking powder, Black walnuts, Cannabis edibles, Chives, Chocolate, Coffee and caffeine, Energy drinks and soda, Fruit pits and seeds, Garlic, Grapes and raisins, Green onions (scallions), Gum and breath mints, Hops, Hot cocoa, Lavender, Leeks, Macadamia nuts, Moldy food and compost, Nutmeg, Onions, Raw bread dough, Raw salmon and trout, Rhubarb, Salt and salty foods, Shallots, Star fruit, Stuffing, S’mores, Wild mushrooms and Xylitol.

What should I do if my dog ate a toxic food?

If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away, even if she seems fine. Both answer 24/7. Don’t try to make her vomit unless a vet tells you to. Have her weight, what she ate, how much and when ready, and bring the packaging.

Which foods are toxic to dogs?

FoodCan she eat it?The short answer
AlcoholToxicNo, dogs should not have alcohol, which can cause vomiting, loss of coordination, trouble breathing and tremors, and in severe cases a coma.
Baking soda and baking powderToxicNo, your dog should not eat baking soda or baking powder; Pet Poison Helpline lists baking soda as a cause of salt poisoning in pets.
Black walnutsToxicNo. Black walnuts are toxic to dogs, and moldy walnuts or hulls can cause tremors and seizures; even regular store-bought walnuts aren't a good choice for her.
Cannabis ediblesToxicNo, cannabis edibles are toxic to dogs; THC hits dogs harder than people, and edibles often also contain chocolate or xylitol, which are toxic too.
ChivesToxicNo, dogs shouldn't eat chives; they're in the same Allium family as onions and garlic and count as toxic in any form.
ChocolateToxicNo, chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the darker it is, the greater the risk: dark chocolate and cocoa powder carry far more methylxanthines than milk chocolate.
Coffee and caffeineToxicNo, caffeine is poisonous to dogs, and grounds, beans, tea bags, pills and energy drinks can cause serious poisoning.
Energy drinks and sodaToxicNo, dogs should not have soda or energy drinks; they hold caffeine and sugar, and energy drinks and shots can pack enough caffeine to seriously poison a dog.
Fruit pits and seedsToxicNo, pits from peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and cherries can release cyanide and cause choking or gut blockages, so keep them away from your dog.
GarlicToxicNo, dogs can't eat garlic; it's toxic to them in every form, fresh, cooked, dried or powdered, and the only safe amount is none.
Grapes and raisinsToxicNo, grapes, raisins and currants can damage a dog's kidneys, and because the toxic amount is unknown any amount should be taken seriously.
Green onions (scallions)ToxicNo, dogs shouldn't eat green onions; they're in the Allium family with onions and garlic, so they count as toxic too.
Gum and breath mintsToxicNo, keep gum and breath mints away from your dog; many sugar-free kinds contain xylitol, and even one piece can poison a small dog.
HopsToxicNo, hops are toxic to dogs and can trigger a dangerously high, fast-rising body temperature.
Hot cocoaToxicNo, hot cocoa is risky for dogs because cocoa powder is the most concentrated chocolate, and sugar-free mixes may contain xylitol.
LavenderToxicNo. The ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to dogs: linalool and linalyl acetate can cause nausea and vomiting, and concentrated lavender oil is riskier still.
LeeksToxicNo, dogs shouldn't eat leeks; they're an Allium like onions and garlic and count as toxic in any form.
Macadamia nutsToxicNo, macadamia nuts are dangerous for dogs and can bring weakness, tremors, vomiting and overheating (hyperthermia).
Moldy food and compostToxicNo, moldy food, garbage and compost can contain mold toxins that cause tremors and seizures in dogs, even in small amounts.
NutmegToxicNo, dogs shouldn't have nutmeg; its toxin, myristicin, can cause poisoning at as little as a teaspoon of the ground spice.
OnionsToxicNo, dogs can't eat onions; they're toxic in every form, raw or cooked, and onion powder counts too.
Raw bread doughToxicNo, raw yeast dough is dangerous for dogs because it keeps rising in the stomach and the yeast produces alcohol that is absorbed into the blood.
Raw salmon and troutToxicNo, raw or undercooked salmon and trout can give her salmon poisoning disease, which is often fatal without treatment, but plain cooked, boneless salmon is fine.
RhubarbToxicNo, rhubarb is listed as toxic to dogs. The leaves are the dangerous part, so keep her out of the rhubarb patch.
Salt and salty foodsToxicA chip or two won't hurt her, but a big dose of salt, like salt dough, play dough, rock salt or table salt, can cause dangerous salt poisoning.
ShallotsToxicNo, dogs shouldn't eat shallots; they're an Allium like onions and garlic and count as toxic in any form.
Star fruitToxicNo. Star fruit, especially the sour kind, contains soluble oxalates that can drop her blood calcium and injure her kidneys.
StuffingToxicNo, dogs shouldn't eat stuffing, because it often contains onion and garlic and sometimes raisins or grapes.
S’moresToxicNo, s'mores are risky for dogs because of the chocolate, not the marshmallow or graham cracker.
Wild mushroomsToxicNo, treat any wild mushroom your dog eats as an emergency; some can kill a dog with a single mushroom, and they're very hard to tell apart.
XylitolToxicNo, xylitol is dangerous for dogs: it triggers a big insulin release that crashes blood sugar, sometimes within 30 minutes, and can damage the liver at higher amounts.

See every food we’ve reviewed