Information from the ASPCA
For a more complete guide to pet nutrition, visit the ASPCA web site.
Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous
for our animal companions. The ASPCA nutrition experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to
avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the
amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao
seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in
some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea,
panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors,
seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk
chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate
contains the highest.
Canned Tuna
An occasional tuna treat given to your cat or dog is probably relatively harmless. It’s true that mercury is often present
in tuna, and at low levels, this may not be a problem. But if tuna is fed nearly exclusively, it could potentially pose
significant problems.Since tuna is not formulated to meet all of the nutritional needs of a cat, companion felines could
also develop other nutrient deficiencies. Most de-boned fish are deficient in calcium, sodium, iron, copper and several
vitamins. However, these issues are not likely to be a concern with cats who are getting tuna only as a small,
occasional treat.
Steak Fat and Grease
While dogs do need certain types of fats in their diet, the consumption of significant
amounts, such as the trimmings from a steak, either in one sitting or as a chronic habit,
could potentially cause vomiting and diarrhea, or even a life-threatening inflammatory
condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Because of this, we recommend that
you avoid feeding fat trimmings to your dog.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination,
central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.
Avocado
The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds
and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid
accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause
problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting,
tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last
approximately 12 to 48 hours.
Grapes & Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney
failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.
Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause
the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully
risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to
10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that
can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that
decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat
problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option
that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for
a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone
splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
Xylitol Sweetener
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause
insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered
sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to
recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.
Onions, Garlic, Chives
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although
cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed
through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what
might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your
pets large quantities of these foods.
Milk
Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down
lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive
upset.
Salt
Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion
poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting,
diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other
words, keep those salty chips to yourself!
Related Article: Dr. Bowling: Obesity a Serious Disease in Pets, Part 1
For a more complete guide to pet nutrition, visit the ASPCA web site.
Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous
for our animal companions. The ASPCA nutrition experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to
avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the
amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao
seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in
some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea,
panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors,
seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk
chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate
contains the highest.
Canned Tuna
An occasional tuna treat given to your cat or dog is probably relatively harmless. It’s true that mercury is often present
in tuna, and at low levels, this may not be a problem. But if tuna is fed nearly exclusively, it could potentially pose
significant problems.Since tuna is not formulated to meet all of the nutritional needs of a cat, companion felines could
also develop other nutrient deficiencies. Most de-boned fish are deficient in calcium, sodium, iron, copper and several
vitamins. However, these issues are not likely to be a concern with cats who are getting tuna only as a small,
occasional treat.
Steak Fat and Grease
While dogs do need certain types of fats in their diet, the consumption of significant
amounts, such as the trimmings from a steak, either in one sitting or as a chronic habit,
could potentially cause vomiting and diarrhea, or even a life-threatening inflammatory
condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Because of this, we recommend that
you avoid feeding fat trimmings to your dog.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination,
central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.
Avocado
The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds
and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid
accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause
problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting,
tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last
approximately 12 to 48 hours.
Grapes & Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney
failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.
Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause
the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully
risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to
10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that
can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that
decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat
problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option
that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for
a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone
splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
Xylitol Sweetener
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause
insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered
sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to
recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.
Onions, Garlic, Chives
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although
cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed
through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what
might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your
pets large quantities of these foods.
Milk
Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down
lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive
upset.
Salt
Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion
poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting,
diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other
words, keep those salty chips to yourself!
Related Article: Dr. Bowling: Obesity a Serious Disease in Pets, Part 1
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Be aware of human foods that can poison pets