When pups beg for food at the dinner table, it can be tempting to toss them a bite. However, you may be surprised at the foods that could harm your dog. Here are some foods and other substances that are dangerous for dogs to eat, so you can avoid giving them to your pup or know to secure them in your home. 

Toxic Fruits To Avoid

According to the Humane Society, some fruits pose risks due to pits and seeds, such as apple seeds and peach, apricot, or cherry pits containing small amounts of toxic cyanide. Along with the chemicals released when stems, leaves, and pits are broken, fruit pits can also get lodged inside your dog’s digestive tract. This could leave your pup in a lot of pain, so steer clear of these fruits and grapes/raisins that contain poisonous tartaric acid. 

Harmful Ingredients & Discarded Produce Waste

Many recipe ingredients and leftover stems and leaves from produce can be harmful to dogs, so here are some additional foods and food by-products to keep out of reach:

• Onions/onion flakes/onion powder
• Tomato leaves or stems
• Potato leaves or stems
• Rhubarb leaves
• Mushroom plants
• Garlic
• Avocados

What nuts are bad for dogs?

Many varieties of nuts contain fats that can cause canine pancreatitis, including macadamia nuts, raw cashews, pistachios, and brazil nuts. Other nuts such as pecans and walnuts can be prone to mold, which is also dangerous for dogs to ingest. Because of the risk of mold, toxic chemicals, or high-fat content often found in nuts, research any nuts or nut products you give to your dog. 

Harmful Human Foods And Drugs

Although you may never offer your dog things like coffee grounds, caffeinated tea, or alcohol, it is possible your dog could get into these which is why you should take great care in securing them in your home. Coffee, tea, and baker’s chocolate pose high risks for your dog, as they often contain high levels of caffeine that can increase your dog’s blood pressure and cause heart arrhythmias. 

Make sure drugs containing acetaminophen, ADHD or depression medications, heart medications, human thyroid meds, and ibuprofen are secured and kept up high where your dog can’t access them, as these can cause numerous life-threatening problems for your pet. 

Additional Toxic Substances

Some other foods and poisonous recipe ingredients that can harm your dog include:

• Moldy foods
• Hops, commonly used in home-brewing
• Xylitol, a sweetener commonly found in gum, toothpaste, and over-the-counter medicines
• Yeast dough 
• Cocoa powder

Signs Your Dog Ingested Something Toxic

It’s important to know what signs may indicate that your dog ate something poisonous, so you can seek immediate emergency veterinary care if needed. According to PetMD, some signs of pet poisoning include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite 
• Excessive salivation
• Lack of coordination 
• Bloody urine 

If you suspect your dog ate something harmful, make note of any wrappers, scraps, or traces left over to determine what your pup got into so you have an idea of the severity of the poisoning. From there, take your dog to an emergency vet immediately to have them treated. 

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