The toxic foods list
Based on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's list of people foods to avoid and the Merck Veterinary Manual. "Danger" means even small amounts can cause serious harm; "Avoid" means problems are likely in larger amounts or for sensitive dogs.
| Food | Level | Main risk | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste, some peanut butters) | Danger | Sudden drop in blood sugar, liver damage | Calculator |
| Grapes, raisins, currants | Danger | Kidney failure; no known safe amount | Guide |
| Chocolate, cocoa | Danger | Vomiting, racing heart, tremors, seizures; darker means more dangerous | Calculator |
| Onions, garlic, chives, leeks | Danger | Damage to red blood cells, anemia | Calculator |
| Macadamia nuts | Danger | Weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors, high temperature, usually within 12 hours | See below |
| Alcohol | Danger | Vomiting, diarrhea, poor coordination; absorbed quickly | See below |
| Raw yeast dough | Danger | Dough rises in the stomach and produces alcohol | See below |
| Coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeine pills | Danger | Same stimulants as chocolate: vomiting, panting, hyperactivity | See below |
| Salt in large amounts (salty snacks, play dough, rock salt) | Avoid | Thirst, vomiting; in severe cases tremors and seizures | See below |
| Avocado | Avoid | Pit can block the gut; guacamole contains onion and garlic | Guide |
| Other nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts) | Avoid | High fat: vomiting, diarrhea, possibly pancreatitis | See below |
| Cooked bones | Avoid | Injury or blockage of the digestive tract | See below |
| Raw meat and raw eggs | Avoid | Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli | See below |
| Milk and dairy | Avoid | Diarrhea and stomach upset (dogs digest lactose poorly) | See below |
| Citrus stems, leaves, peel and seeds | Avoid | Irritation; the fruit itself usually only causes a mild upset | See below |
More about the foods without their own page
Macadamia nuts
According to the ASPCA, macadamia nuts can cause weakness, poor coordination, depression, vomiting, tremors and a high body temperature in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours. Watch for them in cookies, trail mix and chocolate-covered nuts, where chocolate adds a second risk.
Alcohol and raw yeast dough
Drinks and foods that contain alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea and loss of coordination, and alcohol is absorbed quickly. Raw bread or pizza dough is a double problem: it keeps rising in the warm stomach, causing painful gas, and the yeast produces alcohol as it ferments. Call your vet if your dog ate either.
Coffee, tea and caffeine
Caffeine belongs to the same group of stimulants (methylxanthines) as the theobromine in chocolate. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, strong thirst, more urination and hyperactivity. Coffee grounds, beans, tea bags, energy drinks and caffeine pills hold the most.
Salt
A little salt in food is not a problem, but large amounts are. The ASPCA warns that too much salt causes thirst and urination and can upset the blood's electrolytes, leading to vomiting, tremors, seizures and in severe cases death. Homemade play dough, rock salt and very salty snacks are the usual sources.
Other nuts
Almonds, pecans and walnuts are rich in oils and fats. These can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in some dogs pancreatitis. Salted or flavored nuts add salt, garlic or onion powder.
Bones, raw meat and raw eggs
Bones can splinter or get stuck and injure or block the digestive tract, sometimes needing surgery. Raw meat and raw eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli, which can make both dogs and people sick, and raw eggs contain an enzyme that can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins, which can lead to skin and coat problems.
Milk and dairy
Dogs have little lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so milk and dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset. A lick of plain yogurt rarely matters; a bowl of milk often does.
Citrus
The stems, leaves, peel, fruit and seeds of citrus plants contain citric acid and essential oils that can irritate and, in large amounts, depress the nervous system. Eating a piece of the fruit itself usually causes only a mild upset stomach.
What to do if your dog ate something toxic
- Take away anything left and keep the packaging or the recipe.
- Work out what and how much, and roughly when. Our calculators help for chocolate, xylitol and onions or garlic.
- Call your vet, an emergency vet or a poison hotline right away, even if your dog seems fine.
- Do not induce vomiting at home unless a vet tells you to.
- If the vet asks you to come in, go right away and bring the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What foods are toxic to dogs?
The most dangerous are chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free gum, candy and some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, onions, garlic and chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol and raw yeast dough. Coffee and caffeine, very salty foods and avocado pits are also risky.
What is the most toxic food for dogs?
Xylitol and grapes are among the most dangerous because small amounts can cause severe harm: xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage, and grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are dangerous in much smaller amounts than milk chocolate.
What should I do if my dog ate something toxic?
Remove any food that is left, note what and how much your dog ate, and call your vet, an emergency vet or a pet poison hotline right away: ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can dogs drink milk?
Milk is not toxic, but dogs have little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar, so milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (all foods in the list).
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate Toxicosis; Xylitol Toxicosis; Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind Toxicosis; Allium Toxicosis; Avocado Toxicosis (see the linked pages for details).
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline (contact numbers, checked October 2026).
This page is for general information only and does not replace a veterinarian. Dogs react differently, and a food not on this list is not automatically safe. If your dog ate something that may be toxic, contact a vet or a pet poison hotline. Last updated: October 2026.