Quick answer
Never give dogs chocolate, xylitol, grapes or raisins, onions/garlic, alcohol, macadamia nuts, or caffeine. If your dog ate something on this list, call a vet or poison helpline immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
Dangerous foods for dogs
Some human foods cause classic poisoning; others cause surgical emergencies (bones) or pancreatitis (greasy leftovers). Treat every item below as off-limits. Deep dives: chocolate poisoning · grape poisoning · xylitol poisoning .
| Food | Main risk | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate (esp. dark / baking) | Theobromine toxicity | Call poison line immediately |
| Xylitol (birch sugar) | Hypoglycaemia, liver failure | In gum, candy, some peanut butters |
| Grapes & raisins | Kidney failure risk | Any amount can be risky — do not wait |
| Onions, garlic, chives | Red blood cell damage | Powdered forms still count |
| Alcohol | CNS and metabolic toxicity | Never share drinks or dough |
| Macadamia nuts | Weakness, tremors | Toxic even in small handfuls |
| Caffeine / coffee grounds | Stimulant toxicity | Similar family to theobromine |
| Raw yeast dough | Bloat + alcohol from fermentation | Emergency if expanding |
| High-fat scraps | Pancreatitis risk | Not classic toxin but high-harm |
| Cooked bones | Obstruction / perforation | Splinter risk — avoid entirely |
If your dog ate something toxic
- Remove access. Take away remaining food or packaging so the dog cannot keep eating it.
- Note details. Write down what was eaten, approximately how much, when, and the dog’s weight.
- Call for advice. Phone your vet, an emergency clinic, or a pet poison helpline before attempting home remedies.
- Follow clinical instructions. Only induce vomiting if directed. Bring packaging to the clinic when possible.
Safer snack rules
Plain cooked lean meat without onion seasoning, carrot sticks, and green beans are common vet-acceptable treats in moderation. “People food” should stay under roughly 10% of daily calories to avoid unbalancing a complete diet. When unsure, skip it — many emergencies start as “just a bite.”
Sources
FAQs
What foods can dogs not eat?
The highest-priority toxics are chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins, onions/garlic, alcohol, macadamia nuts, and caffeine. Cooked bones and greasy leftovers also cause serious emergencies even when not listed as classic poisons.
What should I do if my dog ate something toxic?
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately with the food type, amount, and your dog’s weight. Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Plain peanut butter without xylitol is usually fine in small amounts. Always read the label — xylitol (“birch sugar”) in sugar-free products can be life-threatening.
Are grapes really dangerous?
Yes. Grapes and raisins have been linked to acute kidney injury in dogs, and a safe dose is not established. Treat any ingestion as urgent.