Poisonous Food for Dogs: What You Shouldn’t Feed

Is there anything more tempting than giving a little of your delicious food to your doe-eyed pet, who is staring intently at you while you eat?

Dogs have been dining on human scraps for well over 10,000 years now, so this practice of sharing is nothing new. However, not every food item that we can eat is safe for them, too.

Although toxic foods have the potential to cause serious harm to dogs, once you know what to avoid, you should be able to keep your furry friend safe.

What Makes Food Poisonous for Dogs?

Dogs process and react to foods differently from us, although we are both omnivores and have a similar digestive system.

Why Do Dogs React Differently to Human Foods?

Dogs lack certain liver enzymes that humans possess, meaning there are specific ingredients that they cannot break down in the same way we can.

It is also thought that certain foods trigger neurotransmitters differently in dogs than they do in us.

Common UK Ingredients That Can Harm Dogs

There are many ingredients that we eat every day that should never be shared with dogs. From chocolate and alcohol to garlic and sweeteners, let's take a look at some of the most common.

What Are the Common Poisonous Foods for Dogs?

There are many poisonous foods that can be toxic for food ingestion that occur very commonly, especially around holidays, including Easter and Christmas.

Chocolate

Many owners are aware of the dangers that theobromine and caffeine in chocolate pose to dogs.

Dark chocolate is more potent than milk chocolate, while white chocolate poses little to no risk. Cocoa powder contains a huge amount of theobromine, and is even more risky than dark chocolate.

Signs of mild toxicity include stomach upset, excess thirst and restlessness. With higher amounts, we can see heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, seizures, and coma.

Caffeine

While a sip of tea or coffee won’t likely cause any issues, dogs who eat coffee beans or tea leaves could be in trouble. Toxicity starts from about 20mg/kg.

Dogs who consume caffeine will quickly become jittery and restless, and large amounts can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and death.

Grapes, Raisins, and Sultanas

The tartaric acid in grapes (and their dried variants) is toxic to dogs, and there is no established safe dose for them.

Initially, the dog seems fine, but after a day, they can develop an upset stomach. After 2-3 days, signs of renal disease can begin, and these can include excess thirst, lethargy, and nausea.

Beware of products that contain dried grapes, such as some chocolates, mince pies, Christmas cake, and Garibaldi biscuits.

Onions, Garlic, and Leeks

Anything in the allium family can cause toxicity, particularly if fed over a long period of time, whether raw or cooked.

These ingredients can be present in foods including crisps, ready meals, and spice mixes. As the toxic dose starts from 5g/kg for garlic and 30g/kg for onion, dogs need to eat a significant amount before toxicity occurs.

These vegetables cause haemolytic anaemia. While dogs seem fine initially, the breakdown in red blood cells soon causes symptoms. They develop weakness, breathlessness and pale gums within just a few days.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener commonly used in products such as chewing gum, toothpaste, sweets, and even peanut butter. While it poses no harm to humans, it can cause dogs to become very unwell.

With smaller amounts, dogs can experience sudden episodes of low blood sugar. With larger ingestions, it can potentially cause liver failure.

Alcohol and Unbaked Bread Dough

Even small amounts of alcohol are hard for dogs to break down, and they can become very sick if they manage to snaffle some.

5.5g/kg is the published lethal dose of ethanol in dogs. For a 5kg dog, this translates to approximately 27.5g, or the equivalent of 2 bottles of 5% beer.

The yeast inside bread dough ferments inside the dog’s warm stomach and can produce alcohol. Not only this, but as the dough expands, the dog becomes very uncomfortable and may even develop a twisted stomach.

Macadamia Nuts

While dogs can eat peanuts and most tree nuts, they cannot eat macadamia nuts.

The smallest reported toxic dose is about one nut per kilo. Signs of toxicity include weakness, shaking and upset stomach.

What Are the Signs of Toxic Food Ingestion in Dogs?

Signs of toxicity vary depending on the type of food ingested. Each food causes its own specific symptoms.

Mild Symptoms

Oftentimes, when just small amounts of the toxic food is eaten, the dog is just going to experience mild symptoms that do not progress. This can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and a reduced appetite.

Severe Reactions

If a dog eats a larger amount of the food, we worry about more severe signs. These can include muscle tremors, irregular heartbeats, coma, collapse, liver failure, and even death.

When to Call a Vet in the UK

Owners should contact an emergency vet if they suspect their dog has eaten a toxic food. This is the case even if they’re unsure it was a toxic amount, as the vet can help determine this.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Poisonous Food

If you are concerned your dog ate poisonous food, firstly, try not to panic. There are simple steps to follow.

First Steps Before Seeing a Vet

Check what exactly has been eaten and assess your dog to see if they are showing any symptoms. Take photos of any food left over, and of any ingredient lists or packaging.

Contacting Our Emergency Vet Services

Call our triage service for any enquiries throughout the day and night, and our team can guide you as to whether the amount ingested is toxic for your dog. This will depend on their age, weight, and any underlying medical issues.

Contact 24/7 emergency vet services at any time to discuss suspected toxicity, especially if your dog is exhibiting symptoms and you would like them to be seen.

How Vets Treat Food Poisoning

Almost always, treatment consists of quickly inducing vomiting as well as providing activated charcoal and intravenous fluids to minimise the absorption of the toxin.

More specific therapies may be necessary, depending on the type of food ingested. For example, individuals who have consumed xylitol may need to supplement with dextrose to raise their blood sugar levels.

What Are Safe Foods for Dogs?

Although it is easy to get bogged down in all the disallowed toxic foods, dogs can safely eat a wide range of foods.

Healthy, Dog-Friendly Treat Foods

I always think it is best to consider ‘simple’ when it comes to the foods to offer your pet. The more complex the food (such as pâté or paella), the greater the chance of causing an upset stomach.

Your dog will be grateful for some plain chicken or turkey, a boiled egg, or perhaps some raw carrot. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s diet, and proper nutrition is one of the cornerstones of good preventative healthcare.

How to Prevent Food Toxicity in Dogs

Some lucky owners never have to deal with dogs that scavenge and snaffle, while others are constantly keeping Fido’s nose out of things. Labrador and Beagle owners tend to be over-represented when it comes to food toxicity.

Pet-Proofing Your Kitchen and Bins

Keep food locked behind doors whenever possible, and use child safety locks on refrigerators and bins if necessary. Always be mindful of food on tables or countertops, as if your dog can see and smell it, they’re likely to try to get to it.

Educating Family Members About Toxic Foods

It is sensible to have a quick chat with everyone in your home, so they know what foods to steer clear of. For children, the adults will need to take charge.

A toddler with raisins in a high chair is a ticking time bomb; it is best to keep the dog out of the room until after the floor has been cleaned.

Discover More About Poisonous Food for Dogs

Contact us if you’d like to talk more about toxic foods or if you’re concerned your dog may have been exposed.

Poisonous Food for Dogs FAQs

What foods are most poisonous for dogs in the UK?

The more common toxicities seen in UK practice include those associated with chocolate and raisins. These two ingredients are especially prevalent over the festive period.

Are any other foods dangerous?

Even some non-toxic foods can be dangerous for your pet. Peaches, for example, contain a hard stone that can cause a gut obstruction. Bones are another hazard, and can result in tooth fractures, gut lacerations and intestinal blockages.

What should I do if my dog eats something poisonous?

Call Veteris on 0203 808 0100 if you think your dog has eaten a toxic food. If they’ve ingested a concerning amount, you’ll likely be asked to bring them right in.

Are UK snacks and sweets safe for dogs?

Most snacks and sweets designed for humans should not be shared with dogs. They tend to be too sugary and of little to no nutritional value. Not just this, but they can also contain toxic ingredients like raisins, chocolate, or xylitol.