What foods are toxic to dogs?

Some of the most dangerous foods for dogs are items found in every home. Knowing this list — and acting quickly if your dog ingests something on it — can save their life.

Highly toxic — always dangerous

- Grapes and raisins — can cause acute kidney failure even in small amounts. The toxic compound is not yet identified, meaning there is no "safe" quantity. Currants are equally dangerous.
- Xylitol — an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free chewing gum, some peanut butters, toothpaste, and many "low-sugar" baked goods. Causes rapid hypoglycaemia (blood sugar crash) and liver failure. Extremely dangerous even in tiny amounts.
- Chocolate — contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolise slowly. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are far more dangerous than milk chocolate. A 10 kg dog can have a life-threatening reaction from 50 g of dark chocolate.
- Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives — contain thiosulphates that damage red blood cells, causing haemolytic anaemia. Dangerous in all forms: raw, cooked, and powdered (garlic powder is extremely concentrated).
- Macadamia nuts — cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia. Mechanism unknown. Recovery is usually complete but requires vet care.
- Alcohol — dogs metabolise alcohol extremely poorly. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, incoordination, and in severe cases, coma.
- Caffeine — coffee, tea, energy drinks, and caffeine pills. Causes hyperactivity, rapid heart rate, seizures.
- Raw yeast dough — expands in the stomach and ferments, producing alcohol as a by-product. Can cause bloat (GDV) and alcohol toxicity.

Moderate risk or large quantities

- Avocado — persin in the flesh is mildly toxic; the larger risk is the large pit (obstruction)
- Nutmeg — in large amounts causes tremors and seizures
- Salt (excessive) — causes sodium ion toxicosis
- Cooked bones — not a food toxin, but cooked bones splinter and can perforate the digestive tract

If your dog eats something toxic

1. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet or poison control
2. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (US: 888-426-4435) or your nearest emergency vet
3. Bring the product packaging if possible

Flovvi tip

Log the incident in Flovvi with the time, substance, and estimated amount ingested. This helps your vet assess severity and monitor recovery.