What foods are dangerous for my dog?

Most pet-parents know that keeping tails wagging starts with a bowl full of the good stuff – a nutritionally complete and balanced diet that keeps their dog happy and healthy.

However, we’ve all probably given in to the temptation of treating our canine bestie to a few yummy ‘human food’ snacks on the side! But did you know that some common human foods can be harmful or even toxic to dogs?

So, before giving in to those soulful puppy dog eyes, read on to learn more about which human foods are safe and which ones you should never feed to your furry friend.

Why a balanced, nutritious diet matters

Just like us, every pet is different! Their ideal diet depends on where they’re at in life (puppy zoomies, adult adventures, or golden years), how active they are, any health quirks they might have (like chronic kidney disease), and sometimes even their breed (we’re looking at you, Dalmatians and your low-purine needs!)

Veterinary-recommended commercial dog foods are formulated to be complete and balanced for a variety of life stages and medical conditions. This means that they meet nutritional standards for containing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in the right quantities and balances required to keep your pup healthy in the long-term.

Unless prepared under the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, home-cooked diets are frequently deficient in key nutrients, which can sadly lead to health problems down the track for your pet.

That’s why it’s always best to check in with your vet – they’ll help you pick the perfect diet to keep your four-legged friend feeling their best.

Common foods to avoid: Fruits, vegetables and more

Before sharing any human food with your pet, it’s important to be aware of the common human foods that can be toxic to dogs and therefore should never be fed to them. While those puppy-dog eyes can be hard to resist, a little treat from your plate could do more harm than good.

Here are some common foods to avoid feeding to your dog:

• Onion and garlic: These can cause tummy upset and damage to red blood cells, leading to symptoms of anaemia including weakness, breathlessness and pale gums. Beware of hidden sources of onion or garlic, such as sauces and meat stuffing.
• Grapes, raisins and sultanas: Any foods containing these ingredients (such as fruit cake or Christmas pudding) can cause tummy upset and potentially fatal kidney damage in some dogs.
• Chocolate: Depending on the quantity eaten, chocolate can cause tummy upset, heart rhythm disturbances, muscle tremors, seizures or even death in dogs. Dark chocolate is especially toxic due to its higher levels of theobromine.
• Coffee, coffee beans or energy drinks: In dogs, caffeine can cause rapid breathing, muscle tremors or even seizures.
• Xylitol: This sweetener is often used in ‘sugar-free’ lollies, gums and other products, and can cause potentially fatal liver damage and low blood sugar levels leading to weakness or seizures.
• Alcohol: Significant quantities of alcohol can cause tummy upset, wobbliness, disorientation, coma or even death due to respiratory failure.
• Macadamia nuts: These can cause symptoms of tummy upset, fever, wobbliness, stiffness and muscle tremors in dogs.
• Cherries: While cherry as a fruit is fine to feed your pooch, cherry stones/pits and leaves contain cyanide, which if chewed, can lead to symptoms such as red gums, difficulties breathing and cardiovascular shock. It’s important to keep these away from your pet!

Surprising non-food dangers

While not technically toxic, the foods below are known to cause tummy troubles in dogs, so it’s best to keep them off the menu. Keep these ones far away from your fur-baby!

• Fatty foods: Common culprits include fatty and processed meats, avocadoes, cheese, and nuts. These fattier foods can trigger pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas), which causes pain, tummy upset and dehydration, and in severe cases, death.
• Potential foreign bodies: Foods such as corn cobs and fruits with stones/pits (such as avocadoes, mangoes and peaches) can cause choking or lead to gut obstruction if swallowed by your furry friend. This leads to symptoms of vomiting, tummy pain and dehydration, or even life-threatening intestinal perforation.
• Raw, yeasted dough: Did you know that dough can ferment in your pup's stomach, releasing ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide, which can cause symptoms of alcohol poisoning as well as dangerous bloating within your dog’s gut.
• Cooked bones: When cooked, bones become more brittle, and therefore more likely to splinter into sharp shards when chewed. These can damage your dog’s teeth, mouth and gut, as well as causing significant constipation.

Safe foods and healthy alternatives

If you want to spoil your pup with a little something from your plate (and they don’t have any known food sensitivities), it’s totally fine to treat them now and then with small amounts of dog-safe goodies like:

• Plainly cooked, lean cuts of meat such as chicken, turkey, pork, kangaroo or beef with any fat, skin or bones removed.
• Dog-friendly fruits and cooked vegetables, including carrots, peas, beans, blueberries, or small pieces of apple.

Keep in mind, sudden menu changes can upset your dog’s tummy, so it’s best to introduce any new foods slowly and in small portions to keep things running smoothly.

Storage and precautions: Keeping foods out of reach

In many cases, dogs access unsafe human foods by stealing them! Reduce the risk of your dog cheekily helping themselves to dangerous foods by:

• Storing potentially toxic foods safely up out of your pet’s reach, in secure containers or cupboards.
• Ensuring that bins are lidded, and heavy enough for your pet not to tip over (or placed in an inaccessible location).
• Putting full rubbish bags into the bin straight away.
• Ensuring compost heaps are well fenced-off from your fur-bestie.

Having pet insurance will also help to alleviate the costs of veterinary care for your fur-baby in the case of any potential toxin-related unwellness episodes.

Signs of toxicity and when to contact a vet

We get it, accidents happen! Whether your dog unexpectedly snatched some snacks from your toddler’s plate or raided a bin, if you suspect that they may have eaten a potentially harmful or toxic food, it’s best to contact your vet or the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline immediately for further advice.

Time is of the essence with potential problem food ingestions. In some cases, dogs can be medically induced to vomit up toxins or foreign bodies before significant harm is done. Otherwise, vet treatment (such as the administration of appropriate antidotes or supportive care) can be started early to help minimise your pet’s chance of becoming significantly unwell.

A safer plate for your pup

When it comes to healthy food for your canine companion, aim to provide the majority of their nutrition through either a high-quality commercial dog food or a home-cooked diet fed under the instruction of a certified vet nutritionist. If you decide to jazz up your pup’s meal with a little ‘human food’, just make sure it’s safe for their belly – no sneaky toxic treats allowed!