When your dog comes up to you while you’re eating and gives you that face — you know the one I mean — it can be hard to say no. But there are lots of times when you absolutely must. We’re going to go over some lists of human foods that are toxic and okay for your dog. Everyone wants a safe and healthy and happy dog and these are some of the basics to ensuring that.
Keep in mind, too, that plants — either indoors or outdoors — can also be toxic if eaten. For a catalog of each, check here and here.
If you think your dog has gotten into any of these items, get in touch with your vet ASAP. If you have an emergency vet, go to them.
Accidents happen. No matter how careful we are, sometimes things get set aside and forgotten, only to be found later by our dogs.
To start, human food that is toxic.
- Avocados
- Cherries, every part
- Grapes, including in raisin form
- Beware of fruit seeds in general
- Broccoli (in large amounts but best to avoid)
- Tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, and garlic: otherwise, no Italian food for pup!
- Wild berries of any kind. Another reason to have your dog on a leash or to at least know the entire landscape wherever you are walking, running, and playing.
- Rhubarb so watch out for people’s vegetable gardens.
- Sugar free candy and gum. Then again, just don’t give your dog ANY candy or gum.
- Anything that contains xylitol or “birch sugar,” which could include some peanut butters and flavored waters.
- Ice cream, chocolate, and pudding snacks.
- Caffeine/coffee/tea, and energy and sports drinks
- Soda/pop
- Baked goods
- Alcohol
- Macadamia nuts, almonds, and pistachios
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Uncooked dough
- Bones (yes, even well cooked bones are seen as bad by many vets for a variety of reasons)
- Turkey and ham skin and fatty cuts of meats
- Mushrooms (some might be okay but why chance it?)
- Salt and spicy foods
- Moldy food
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
If you want to give human food as a treat, try something of this following list. But remember: treats are treats. Only a small part of their diet should include them (just like humans. Ha).
Good human food treats:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cooked Pumpkin but not your pumpkin pie that probably has cinnamon and nutmeg
- Cauliflower
- Green beans
- Fully cooked eggs
- Shrimp (remove the shell) and Fish (watch for tiny bones)
- Popcorn
- Apples
- Blueberries and blackberries
- Bananas
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
- Xylitol-free peanut butter
- Cheese
- Bread
- Cashews and peanuts
Again, all these treats should only be given in small amounts. If you want to treat your dog, stick to the best training treats for dogs that we’ve written about before.
How to tell when your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have
If your dog does get something they shouldn’t, here are some signs you’ll notice:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Pale gums
- Lethargy, tremors, weakness
- Difficulty breathing and/or heavy panting
- Drooling
- Nosebleeds
These aren’t the only signs that are possible, and of course, there are other reasons for many of these symptoms. As always, if you’re engaging with your dog every day, you’ll notice when things are off or different.
If you do think something is wrong and if there is anything that you can collect a sample of for your vet, grab that and get moving.
These lists aren’t meant to scare anyone, but it’s important to know what’s healthy for your dog and what poses a possible threat to their health. We’ll write more about other household items that are potentially toxic to your dog in the near future.