20 Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs and Cats (Save This List)

Every year, thousands of pets end up in emergency veterinary care because they ate something normal-looking from the kitchen. Most of these incidents are preventable with awareness.

Bookmark this list. Share it with anyone who watches your pet.

Emergency Contacts (Save These Now)

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435 (consultation fee ~$95)
• Pet Poison Helpline: 1-855-764-7661 (fee ~$85)
• Your nearest 24-hour emergency vet

Both hotlines have veterinary toxicologists available 24/7.

The 20 Most Common Toxic Foods

🚨 Severe / Often Fatal

1. Chocolate (especially dark and baker's)

• Toxic compound: Theobromine + caffeine
• Dogs more than cats
• Dangerous dose: As little as 20mg theobromine per pound of dog
• Symptoms: Vomiting, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, heart arrhythmia
• Time to act: Within 1–2 hours

2. Xylitol (sugar substitute — in gum, peanut butter, baked goods, some toothpastes)

• Extremely toxic to dogs, even tiny amounts
• Dangerous dose: 50mg/kg causes hypoglycemia; 500mg/kg causes liver failure
• Symptoms: Weakness, collapse, seizures within 30 minutes
• Time to act: Immediate emergency vet visit

3. Grapes and Raisins

• Toxic to dogs (cats less studied but avoid)
• Dangerous dose: Unknown — can be a handful or a single grape
• Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure within 24–72 hours
• Even small amounts can be fatal

4. Onions, Garlic, Chives, Leeks (all Allium species)

• Both dogs and cats — cats more sensitive
• Dangerous dose: 15–30g/kg in dogs; less in cats
• Symptoms: Delayed — red blood cell destruction over 1–5 days, pale gums, weakness
• Toxic in all forms: raw, cooked, powdered (watch for garlic powder)

5. Macadamia Nuts

• Toxic to dogs
• Dangerous dose: As little as 2g/kg
• Symptoms: Weakness, tremors, hyperthermia, vomiting within 12 hours

6. Alcohol and Yeast Dough

• Both dogs and cats
• Even small amounts are toxic
• Symptoms: Drunk behavior, vomiting, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia
• Raw yeast dough continues to rise in the stomach, causing life-threatening bloat

⚠️ Moderate / Dangerous

7. Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)

• Similar to chocolate — hyperactivity, tremors, heart arrhythmia
• Pets are far more sensitive than humans

8. Salt (in large quantities — including homemade play dough)

• Dangerous dose: 4g/kg
• Symptoms: Vomiting, tremors, seizures, coma

9. Raw Bread Dough

• Expands in stomach, can cause gastric dilation
• Yeast fermentation produces alcohol as it rises

10. Cooked Bones (chicken, turkey, pork)

• Splinter into sharp fragments
• Cause choking, intestinal perforation
• Raw meaty bones less risky, but still require supervision

11. Avocado

• Cats and dogs: persin (toxin) in skin, pit, and leaves
• Pit is also a choking/obstruction hazard
• Flesh is less toxic but often causes GI upset
• Birds especially sensitive

12. Fatty Foods (bacon, ham, fried foods)

• Trigger pancreatitis — especially in Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, Yorkies
• Symptoms: vomiting, hunched posture, abdominal pain

13. Raw Fish (especially salmon)

• Can contain "salmon poisoning disease" parasites
• Thiaminase in raw fish depletes B vitamins over time
• Cooked fish without bones is safer

14. Milk and Dairy

• Most adult pets are lactose intolerant
• Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Small amounts of plain yogurt usually tolerated

15. Nutmeg

• Contains myristicin — causes tremors, seizures, disorientation
• Problem in baking season (pumpkin pie, cookies)

📉 Less Severe But Avoid

16. Raw Eggs

• Salmonella/E. coli risk
• Avidin in raw whites depletes biotin (B7)
• Cooked eggs are safe

17. Mushrooms (wild — store-bought safe)

• Many wild varieties are toxic
• Symptoms depend on species; some cause liver failure

18. Citrus (large amounts)

• Oils and psoralens can cause vomiting and depression
• Small amounts usually fine

19. Coconut / Coconut Water

• Large amounts cause diarrhea and upset stomach
• Coconut oil in small quantities is generally safe

20. Almonds and Other Nuts (non-macadamia)

• Not acutely toxic, but choking/obstruction risk
• Salted nuts add sodium toxicity
• High fat can trigger pancreatitis

Cat-Specific Concerns

Cats are generally less interested in people food than dogs, but watch especially for:

• Onions and garlic — cats are even more sensitive than dogs; never feed baby food with garlic/onion
• Lilies (flowers) — extremely toxic, kidney failure within 24–48 hours
• Tuna in large amounts — mercury, thiamine deficiency, steatitis
• Dog food — not toxic, but lacks taurine cats need long-term

What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

Step 1: Stay calm, act fast Note what was eaten, how much, and when.

Step 2: Call a professional Your vet, ASPCA poison control, or Pet Poison Helpline.

Step 3: Follow their specific instructions Do NOT induce vomiting without guidance. Some toxins (caustic substances, petroleum products) cause more damage when vomited.

Step 4: Bring the packaging if possible Helps the vet identify toxic compound and quantity.

Step 5: Go to the ER if symptoms appear

• Repeated vomiting
• Seizures or tremors
• Collapse or weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale or yellow gums

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait to see if symptoms develop. Early intervention (within 1 hour) is dramatically more effective.
• Don't feed milk, hydrogen peroxide, or home remedies unless specifically instructed by a vet or poison control.
• Don't assume "they ate a little, they'll be fine." Xylitol, grapes, and chocolate don't follow intuitive dose-response rules.

Prevention Checklist

• Keep trash cans lidded and inaccessible
• Store chocolate, gum, and medications in closed cabinets
• Don't leave plates unattended when pets are around
• Educate houseguests and kids — well-meaning feeders are a common cause
• Check ingredient labels for xylitol (appears in surprising places: peanut butter, ice cream, toothpaste)
• Keep houseplants and garden plants checked against toxic plant lists

The Bottom Line

Most pet poisonings happen because owners didn't know. Now you know. Save this list, share it with family, and keep poison control numbers on your fridge.

For more pet safety topics, read our common illness signs guide or explore the full blog.