It can be tempting to scoop your leftovers into your dog’s bowl, but make sure you know what foods can be dangerous to your dog’s health before you do.
There are several foods that are fine for humans but can be toxic to our pups. Look them over, and then print the FREE REMINDER LIST to remind your whole family.

QUICK LIST

10. Avocado
11. Cooked Bones
12. Lemons and Limes
13. Sugar
14. Raw Yeast
15. Nutmeg
16. Medication made for Humans
​17. Milk and Dairy (some dogs can tolerate) 

1. SALT

This includes all salty snacks, salted nuts, cheese with salt, and cold cuts that are full of sodium. If you feed your dog beans, or peanuts make sure there is no salt added. 

Can Cause:

• Sodium-Ion Poisoning
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Depression
• Tremors and seizures
• Elevated Body temperature
• Death

2. XYLITOL

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in a lot of sugar-free products, gum, candy, and some nut butters including some peanut butters.

Can Cause:

• Insulin release leading to liver failure
• Seizures
• Brain Damage

3. CHOCOLATE 

All of these contain Methylxanthines which are toxic to dogs. It is more concentrated in darker chocolates, so bakers chocolate is more dangerous for dogs than milk or white chocolate. 

Can Cause:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Panting
• Excessive thrust and urination
• Hyper activity
• Tremors and seizures
• Death

4. ONIONS CHIVES AND GARLIC

Avoid giving your dog all kinds of onions, chives, and garlic including powdered, dry and fresh, cooked, and raw. 

Can Cause:

• Red Blood cell damage

5. COFFEE AND CAFFEINE

Coffee beans, grounds, and brewed coffee contain caffeine which is very dangerous and toxic to dogs. Ingestion can be life-threatening.

Can Cause:

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Tremors or seizures
• Loss of muscle control
• Raises blood pressure cardiac arrhythmias
• Death

6. GRAPES AND RAISINS

Experts have not discovered what about grapes and raisins make dogs sick, but they do know that they can damage the kidneys, so should definitely be avoided. 

Can Cause:

• Kidney Failure

7. NUTS

Avoid giving your dog all nuts including walnuts, and almonds because they can cause stomach upset.  Pay extra attention to macadamia nuts since they are extremely dangerous for dogs and can cause much more serious problems for the pancreas. 

Can Cause:

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Pancreatitis

8. ALCOHOL

Dogs should never have alcohol and even in very small amounts, it can be very dangerous.

Can Cause:

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Central nervous system depression
• Difficulty breathing
• Coma
• Death

9. APPLE SEEDS

Apple seeds release cyanide when they are digested. It is only a real problem if your dog has a large amount, but it is best to avoid allowing them to chew on an apple core. 

10. AVOCADO 

Avocados contain Persin which is toxic for dogs. It is most concentrated in the pit, so definitely don’t let your dog chew on the pit. It can also be a choking hazard. If your dog accidentally has a small piece of avocado it isn’t something you have to worry about.

Can Cause:

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Heart congestion

11. COOKED BONES

In general raw bones are ok for dogs to chew on as long as they are knucklebones or other kinds that don’t splinter. Bones that are cooked are much more likely to splinter, and those small pieces of bones can get stuck in their stomach or intestines and cause damage. 

12. LEMONS AND LIMES

Lemons and limes contain Psoralen which is an organic compound that can make your dog sick to their stomach. 

Can Cause:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea

13. SUGAR

This includes all food containing sugar, and corn syrup. Most processed foods have corn syrup these days, so be sure to check the label before you give anything to your dog. 

Can Cause:

• Dental Issues
• Obesity
• Diabetes

14. RAW YEAST

Make sure your dog doesn’t get their paws on raw dough that has yeast in it. Since yeast is used to make dough expand, the same thing will happen in your pup’s stomach. Foods that are cooked with yeast in them are fine.

Can Cause:

• Gas and discomfort
• Rupture Stomach or intestines

15. NUTMEG

Nutmeg contains Myristicin which is a compound that is toxic to dogs. Make sure they don’t get into any recipes made with nutmeg. 

Can Cause:

• Disorientation
• Increases heart rate
• High blood Pressure
• Dry Mouth
• Stomach Pain
• Seizures

16. MEDICATION FOR HUMANS

Never give your dog medications that were made for humans. Even over the counter drugs, like ibuprofen, can be very dangerous, and possibly deadly. Also, make sure that all your medications, vitamins, etc. are kept somewhere that is out of reach to your curious dog. 

17. MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS

Small amounts are not a problem, but larger amounts can cause your dog stomach upset. You should test with your dog, and notice if their poop changes after they eat dairy.

Can Cause:

• Diarrhea
• Digestive Problems
• Trigger Food Allergies

I don’t know any dog owner who hasn’t had their dog accidentally eat something they shouldn’t at some point. Make sure you keep the numbers of your vet, and after-hours emergency clinic handy (and somewhere the rest of the family can find them easily) in case you need it. If you’re in doubt, call them and ask. Better to ask right away than to wait to see if your dog gets symptoms. 

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