What Can't Dogs Eat? Toxic Foods

We all want to feed our dogs the best food available, but most pet parents aren't aware of the many common foods that canines cannot eat. The list is pretty long and some items may even surprise you. So how do you know if the food you are eating is safe for you dog too?

No worries, we’ve put together the ultimate list of toxic food for dogs. With a little bit of know how, it’ll be easier to keep your pup away from dangerous foods. And you can be confident that you aren't giving them toxic food if you happen to give in to their begging puppy eyes.

Why Some Foods Are Poisonous To Dogs

While humans can eat a pretty diverse range of foods, our pets don’t work the same way. In fact, common human foods like onions are very dangerous to your pup’s health. Many common foods are poisonous to dogs and as their owner, you’re responsible for keeping them out of reach for your pooch.

PRO TIP: Many human foods are toxic to dogs, so avoid feeding them home-cooked meals made for people.

Dogs have different enzymes than humans. Their metabolism also works differently, and that’s why some foods are healthy for us but dangerous for them. For example, dogs are more sensitive to certain sweeteners, and they can spike their blood sugar levels and even cause liver failure.

The Ultimate List Of Toxic Food For Dogs

While this list of foods dogs can’t eat isn’t exhaustive, it’s a good starting point to know which foods are bad to dogs.

• Onion & garlic (natural or powdered): These common seasonings have a compound that causes anemia in dogs. If your dog eats a lot at once, it can cause full-blown poisoning.

• Chocolate: The theobromine in chocolate causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and in serious cases, it can lead to heart problems, tremors and even death.

• Coffee or products with caffeine: In dogs, caffeine causes rapid heart beating and even death, especially in small dogs. Just one or two sips are enough for a visit to the ER, so make sure to keep your cups out of your dog’s reach.

• Sweets: On top of many sweets having artificial sweeteners (that can be toxic), sugar on its own can lead to obesity, dental problems and even diabetes. So no Tim Tams for your pup!

• Xylitol: This artificial sweeter makes a dog’s blood sugar drop and causes liver failure. You can find it in toothpaste, gum, lollies and diet foods.

• Salt: Nope, your dog can’t eat Vegemite, Marmite or any of its different presentations. While Vegemite isn’t toxic, it has way too much sodium. If a dog were to eat a whole tub of Vegemite, they might get sodium ion poisoning, which is life-threatening.

PRO TIP: Dogs shouldn’t eat Vegemite because it’s too high in sodium.

• Home-cooked food and table leftovers: Human food has way too many ingredients, salt and spices for dogs. For example, while chicken on its own might be good for dogs, when it’s mixed with tomatoes, onion and cheese, it becomes a big no-no. Home-cooked foods can cause gastrointestinal issues (like vomiting and diarrhoea) and in extreme cases, be the cause for hospitalisation and death.

• Sausages: While the meat in sausages is good, this prepared food is too high in fat and salt. It might also have other seasonings that are downright poisonous to dogs, like onion and garlic. No barbecued snags for your pup!

• Biscuits: Especially Tim Tams - they have sugar AND chocolate, so these scrumptious sweets can’t be on your dog’s diet.

• Fried Food: Too much fat in their diet can cause pancreatitis. Avoid fish n’ chips as well as all other fried treats.

• Grapes: The chemical compounds in grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. One of the earliest symptoms is vomiting, so if you think your dog got into your grape stash and is vomiting, take them to the vet ASAP.

• Alcohol: Dogs are more sensitive to alcohol than humans, and just a little bit can hurt their liver and cause alcohol poisoning. If left unattended, this can cause coma and even death. This is even more dangerous with small dogs and puppies, so don’t leave glasses out of your sight.

• Avocado: The Avocado, a big no no. This health superstar is toxic to dogs in large quantities. The persin in them might cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

What Should I Feed My Dog?

Now you know what foods dog cannot eat. But what should you feed your dog instead?

We recommend that your dog’s diet should be based on a high-quality, premium dog food. Make sure the label states the food complies with the EU standards , which ensures the food follows the latest safety measures.

PRO TIP: When in doubt, talk to your vet or pets nutritionist.They will offer recommendations based on your specific dog and will often let you know the best dog food brand for your pup.

How To Choose The Right Dog Food

While dogs should eat commercial dog food, not all of these are created equally. Choosing the right brand and ingredient mix is key in ensuring your pup’s long-term health.

Here’s what to look for when choosing your dog’s food:

• Make sure the label states it’s a “complete and balanced” dog food, according to the aforementioned certifications.

• Adapted to your dog’s age and activity level. For example, puppies should always eat puppy food, and senior dogs need a diet adapted to their unique needs.

• Consider your dog’s medical conditions. This includes whether or not they’re pregnant/lactating, or have special issues like kidney problems, allergies or gastritis.

• Try different presentations: there’s traditional dry and wet food, but there’s also dehydrated foods, pates, raw and other options. Offer your dog more options and see what they like best, especially if they have dental problems.

How To Add Variety To Your Dog’s Diet

On top of commercial dog food, you can also offer fresh “extras” to keep their diet diverse. Here are some ideas:

• Fresh meat and bones: If you want to give your pup more protein, choose fresh human-grade raw meat and bones. Raw “pet-grade” food has sulphites, which can be detrimental to your dog’s health. Too many sulphites in your dog’s diet can lead to Vitamin B1 deficiency. If this condition isn’t treated, it can lead to sickness and even death.

PRO TIP: Check with your vet first that raw meaty bones are suitable for your particular dog (e.g. some dogs with misshapen jaws or dental disease or older dogs may have difficulty chewing on raw bones

• Fruits & vegetables: Offer your dog raw, cut vegetables to add more nutrients to their diet. You can also offer cooked vegetables like pumpkin and carrots to boost their fibre intake. If your dog likes fruits, they can be a healthy addition to their diet.

• Fish: While most dogs can eat fish, you should consider it an occasional addition to their diet. Be mindful of fish bones and avoid scales. When offering canned fish, stick to fish canned specifically for dogs.

Reference Eloisa Thomas.