Poison Dog Food: Full List of Toxic Foods and Substances

As a dog owner, you want to make sure your furry friend is eating the best food possible. However, with so many options available, it's easy to unknowingly feed your dog something toxic.

Some common toxic substances found in dog food include onions and garlic, which can cause anemia and damage to your dog's red blood cells.

Choking hazards like grapes and raisins are also a concern, as they can cause kidney failure in dogs. Be sure to check the ingredient list carefully.

Xylitol, a sugar substitute commonly found in sugar-free gum and candy, is highly toxic to dogs and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar.

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Dogs shouldn't eat grapes, garlic, or onions. These common foods can be toxic to your furry friend.

Some human foods are perfectly safe for dogs to eat in moderation, but others are off-limits. Fruits like apples, cherries, and apricots can cause problems if your dog eats the seeds or pits, which can get stuck in their digestive system.

Consider reading: Foods for Dogs with Diabetes

Here are some foods that are toxic to dogs:

Grapes and raisins are particularly problematic, as even small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. So, it's best to keep them out of reach of your furry friend.

Grapes and raisins are a serious threat to dogs, and even small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure. This can be signaled by your dog ceasing to urinate.

Grapes and raisins can cause a range of symptoms, including foul breath, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some dogs are extremely susceptible to grape and raisin poisoning.

No one knows what ingredient or compound in grapes and raisins makes them so poisonous to dogs, but they're among the most serious food threats.

If this caught your attention, see: Dogs Eating Grapes Symptoms

Some foods can make your dog very sick, so it's essential to know what to avoid.

Don't feed your dog spoiled food, especially if it has mold. If you're unsure whether a food has gone bad, it's better to err on the side of caution and discard it.

Keep trash cans and compost bins out of your dog's reach to prevent them from getting into spoiled food.

Fried or fatty foods, like fried chicken, can be life-threatening for dogs if they eat enough, causing inflammation of the pancreas and severe damage to their intestines.

Foods that are overly fatty are very toxic for dogs. If they eat enough, these foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas.

High-fat foods, including raw fats, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even pancreatitis or blood infections in dogs.

The fat you've trimmed off meat is not a harmless treat for your pup.

Household Items and Chemicals can be a real hazard for your furry friend. Keep an eye out for pennies, which contain high concentrations of zinc, and mothballs, which can be toxic even in small amounts.

Some common household items to steer clear of include potpourri oils, fabric softener sheets, and automatic dish detergents, which can cause corrosive lesions. Batteries, homemade play dough, and winter heat source agents like hand or foot warmers are also on the no-go list.

Make sure to keep cleaning agents out of reach, as they can cause severe burns or even be fatal if ingested. And if you're using fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, keep your dog away from the treated area until the product is completely dry.

Check this out: What Food Gives Dogs Diarrhea

Black Walnuts are a type of nut that can be toxic to dogs. They are used in desserts and baked goods, but can cause poisoning if ingested.

The black walnut is one of the five most poisonous trees to large animals. This is why it's essential to keep them out of reach of pets and children.

If your dog ingests a black walnut, it can cause serious health issues. It's crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately if you suspect poisoning.

Black walnuts are less common than regular walnuts, but their toxicity is no less severe. This is why it's vital to be aware of their presence in your home and surroundings.

Raw meat can be a source of harm to both you and your pets, harboring potentially deadly bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.

These bacteria can wreak havoc on the digestive system, and while dogs may be less prone to infections than humans, they can still get sick.

In fact, a dog suffered recurring diarrhea for nine months after eating a raw duck and chicken vegetable meal, and testing later confirmed the presence of salmonella.

Remember that raw pet food, whether prepared at home or purchased from a store, can be a source of harmful bacteria to you too.

It's essential to be aware of the risks associated with feeding your pets raw meat, and to take necessary precautions to keep both you and your pets safe.

Cooked bones can splinter when chewed and tear the lining of your dog's throat, intestine, and stomach. This is a serious risk that's not worth taking.

Cooked bone marrow can be hard for dogs to digest, making it a potential source of stomach upset. It's best to keep cooked bones out of reach of your furry friends altogether.

Dogs should never be fed cooked chicken, beef, or pork bones. The risk of splintering and digestive issues is just too high.

Check this out: Dogs Eating Pork Rib Bones

Cleaning agents can cause a range of problems for your dog, from mild stomach upset to severe burns of the tongue, mouth, and stomach, or even be fatal.

Many cleaning products are bad for your dog, so keep them behind a closed door and fit child locks if you have a particularly curious dog.

Some cleaning agents may cause a mild stomach upset, while others could cause severe burns or even be fatal.

Cleaning agents are just one of the many household items that can pose a risk to your dog's health.

If you're using cleaning products around your home, be sure to keep your dog away from the area until the product is completely dry.

Prolonged exposure to cleaning agents can be particularly hazardous for your dog.

Wild mushrooms can be toxic to dogs if ingested.

Make sure to pull up any mushrooms growing in your yard regularly.

If you catch your dog trying to eat wild mushrooms in the wilderness, stop them immediately.

Alcohol can be toxic to dogs, even in small doses, causing sickness and diarrhea.

Dogs are particularly sensitive to the components of alcohol, which can also lead to central nervous system damage.

Even cooking with red wine can make a piece of steak toxic to your dog, so be sure to keep it out of reach.

Suggestion: Toxic Dog Food Brands

Never give your dog any medications unless they've been prescribed or recommended by your vet, as human medication can be extremely hazardous to dogs, even in small doses.

Human pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, herbal remedies, and diet pills are all off-limits to your furry friend.

Keep all drugs out of your dog's reach, preferably in a closed cabinet.

Iron supplements, particularly prenatal vitamins, can be toxic to dogs due to their inability to excrete excess iron, leading to buildups in the body.

Cases of iron toxicity can also arise from dogs eating oxygen absorbers, like silica packets found in beef jerky.

Xylitol is a sugar alternative commonly found in human foods like candy, chewing gum, and baked sweets. It's extremely toxic to dogs.

Dogs can go into a coma within 15 to 20 minutes if they ingest xylitol. Veterinarians may advise feeding your dog syrup or honey on the way to the emergency clinic to boost their blood sugar.

Even a little bit of xylitol can cause a rapid spike in a dog's insulin levels, leading to low blood sugar. Symptoms can include vomiting, fainting, seizures, staggering, and weakness.

Small dogs are especially vulnerable to xylitol poisoning because the effects are dose-dependent. If you think your pet has been poisoned, take the food away immediately.

Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) for advice. The ASPCA might charge a consultation fee.

Never give your dog any medications unless they have been prescribed or recommended by your vet. Human medication can be extremely dangerous to dogs, even in small doses.

Keep all drugs out of your dog’s reach, preferably in a closed cabinet. This is a simple yet crucial step in keeping your furry friend safe.

If you suspect your dog has ingested toxic foods or anything else that's potentially harmful, speak with your vet as soon as possible to obtain advice and guidance.

Iron supplements can be toxic for dogs, particularly prenatal supplements, which tend to have higher amounts than standard vitamins.

Dogs don't have a way of excreting excess iron, causing buildups in the body.

Vitamins containing iron can be a serious threat, especially if your dog ingests them.

Cases of iron toxicity can also come from dogs eating oxygen absorbers, those small silica packets found in things like beef jerky.