A dog sitting watching their human eat

Dedicated pet parents love to share everything with their pets, from car rides to cuddles on the couch, walks through the park, and even yummy treats. There are some human foods that should not be shared with your pets, however, no matter how much they beg. 

Some food that can be healthy for humans, can actually be very dangerous to your pets. To keep your beloved dogs safe, the team at Animal Medical Hospital & Urgent Care has put together this list of the top toxic human foods for dogs: 

What May Be Safe For You, Is Not Always Safe For Your Dog 

The simple reason why you shouldn’t feed your dog human food is because even though something may seem safe, it could have substances that could be toxic to your dog. While all pets could react differently to different substances depending on their age, size, and how much they consume, feeding dogs human food could result in everything from an upset stomach, to vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. 

Keep your furry companion safe by avoiding these human foods: 

  • Alcohol of any kind
  • Avocados
  • Candy and Chocolate (chocolate is extremely toxic, and so is any candy containing the sweetener ​​xylitol) 
  • Cherry pits 
  • Coffee or any caffeinated beverage
  • Dairy (avoid feeding in large amounts, since pets have trouble digesting lactose) 
  • Garlic
  • Grapes 
  • Gum (often contains xylitol) 
  • Mushrooms 
  • Mustard and mustard seeds 
  • Nuts (including almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts and more)
  • Onions (including chives, onion powder, or seasoning) 
  • Peach pits 
  • Raisins 
  • Rhubarb leaves 
  • Raw bones (potential choking hazard, or a splinter of the bone could cause serious internal damage)
  • Salt and salty snack foods (too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination, and lead to other serious problems) 
  • Yeast dough 

Keep Your Pets Safe

While it may seem fun to share your favorite treat or a scrap from the dinner table with your dog, do you both a favor and only feed them dog food. It will help keep your dog healthier and feeling better in the long run, and will help you avoid potential medical dangers and pet poisonings. If you think your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian right away. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

The team at Animal Medical Hospital & Urgent Care is here to help keep your pets safe! Call us at (704) 334-4685 with any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s diet.