Important: What are Dogs Not Allowed to Eat?

Sometimes the list of things dogs are not allowed to eat seems longer than the allowed foods.

Many foods that we humans regularly enjoy pose a danger to our four-legged friends. They usually contain individual active ingredients that are toxic to dogs and can cause serious damage to the organism. Some foods can even cause death.

What is particularly toxic to dogs?

A few substances are fatal even in very small amounts and are therefore particularly toxic for dogs:

What dogs are not allowed to eat as a list

We have compiled a list of all the foods that dogs cannot tolerate here for you. Under each heading, you will find a brief explanation of the substances contained and why dogs can also have a toxic effect on harmless foods.

Please make sure that your dog never gets to eat these things. Also, think about the danger during a walk.

However, should your dog eat something that is forbidden, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Alcohol

Alcohol must be taboo for dogs. Because this is pure poison. That should also apply to malt beer, which has a low alcohol content.

Depending on the amount ingested and the alcohol content, it leads to vomiting and coordination disorders. Alcohol poisoning can result, resulting in shortness of breath, coma, and ultimately death. Alcohol hurts liver function.

Aubergines, raw

Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. These contain the poison solanine. Aubergines should never be fed raw.

Avocado

There are different types of avocados. Some of them contain the toxic active ingredient persin. This substance can cause heart muscle damage and even death. Even if it is a non-toxic variety, the avocado is very high in fat and causes severe diarrhea.

Since the individual varieties are very difficult for laypersons to distinguish, avocados should generally not end up in the dog’s bowl.

Wild garlic and chives

Wild garlic and chives belong to the leek species and contain allium. This causes changes in the red blood cells, which can ultimately lead to anemia and death.

Eggs, raw

Occasionally you can feed raw egg yolk. However, keep an eye on the risk of salmonella. You can feed hard-boiled eggs from time to time without worry.

Raw egg white inhibits the absorption of biotin. However, the dog needs biotin for a regulated carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.

Here is the in-depth article on whether dogs can eat eggs.

Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, cola, and energy drinks

A dog’s metabolism is not designed to process caffeine. It can lead to restlessness, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.

Caffeine raises blood pressure and increases heart rate. In addition, it narrows the blood vessels. Any cardiac arrhythmias that may occur can be life-threatening.

Poultry bones

Of course, poultry bones are not poisonous. However, they splinter and can cause serious injuries to the dog’s digestive tract.

Grain

There’s nothing wrong with a few oatmeals here or there. However, in many industrially produced types of dog food, grain is used as a filling material.

Therefore, pay attention to dog food without grain and feed better varieties with millet, corn, and rice.

Cocoa

Cocoa contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Theobromine can cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and convulsions.

Even small amounts of theobromine can have a fatal effect on sensitive and especially small dogs. Cardiovascular failure and death occur if large amounts are ingested.

Theobromine is broken down very slowly by the dog’s body. Constant cocoa consumption can therefore be dangerous, even in small amounts.

Here is an in-depth article on cocoa and theobromine.

Potatoes, raw

Potatoes belong to the nightshade family and contain toxic solanine, like aubergines and peppers.

The green parts of potatoes contain particularly high concentrations of solanine. Note that solanine is not neutralized by cooking.

Nevertheless, boiled potatoes are an optimal source of carbohydrates for dogs and are mainly popular in hypoallergenic diets.

Garlic

Garlic is often recommended as a natural remedy against parasites. 

Dogs can probably tolerate it in very small amounts. In larger amounts, however, the allium it contains changes the red blood cells. This leads to anemia and can lead to death. Therefore, feed garlic with extreme caution.

Macadamia nuts

Why the macadamia nut is poisonous to dogs is not known. If the dog eats these nuts, it can lead to general weakness, vomiting, fever, impaired gait, and even lameness.

Almonds

In the botanical sense, almonds are not nuts, but stone fruits.

Some of the sweet almonds also contain bitter almonds. They contain the substance amygdalin. During the digestion process, the toxic hydrocyanic acid is split off. If the dog eats these bitter almonds, this can be very dangerous, especially for small dogs.

Milk

In general, lactose, i.e. milk sugar can only be digested by puppies. After that, dogs should stop drinking milk.

However, dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and cottage cheese are often fed as bland foods.

Fruit stones

Like the bitter almond, the pits of plums, apricots, or cherries also contain hydrocyanic acid.

Hydrocyanic acid can cause severe poisoning. Symptoms include shortness of breath, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, salivation, and convulsions. It is therefore essential to remove the fruit stones before feeding these types of fruit.

Tomatoes, raw

Like aubergines and potatoes, tomatoes belong to the nightshade family. They may be fed in small amounts. Be sure to remove any green spots because they contain toxic solanine.

Raisins and grapes

Raisins and grapes can even lead to short-term death in dogs.

The exact quantities that lead to the death of the dogs have not yet been exactly proven. An estimated amount of about 11.6 grams of grapes per kilogram of body weight of the dog. For raisins, it is assumed that about 3 grams per kilogram of body weight.

In the beginning,  the dog throws up and does not eat anymore. Stomach pain and diarrhea follow. Kidney failure and hypercalcemia can occur just 24 hours after ingesting the fruit.

Salt

A small pinch of salt will not harm the dog. Larger amounts are already dangerous from 0.5 grams of table salt per kilogram of body weight and can lead to death in the dog.

Salt increases fluid retention in the body. The dog needs to drink more water. If the dog has heart problems, the fluid cannot be excreted because of the reduced cardiac output. Too much salt leads to high blood pressure and kidney damage.

The amount of salt in nibbles is almost impossible to control. Therefore, salty pastries should be taboo for dogs.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains cocoa, and this, in turn, contains theobromine. In sensitive dogs, as little as 90 milligrams per kilogram of body weight can be fatal.

The proportion of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate. Dark chocolate contains the most theobromine.

Chocolate is particularly dangerous for small dog breeds, puppies, and young dogs.

Symptoms include restlessness, nausea, cramps, and fever. Even regular feeding in small amounts is dangerous because theobromine is broken down very slowly in the dog’s body.

Pork, raw

Raw pork can contain the Aujeszky virus. This virus is harmless to humans. However, in dogs, it causes symptoms similar to those of rabies. If the disease breaks out, there is no cure. It ends in death.

Cooking kills the virus. You can also feed dried pig ears or noses without hesitation.

In dog nutrition, however, pork plays a subordinate role and is hardly ever processed in ready-made food.

Tea

Green and black tea contain theine. This active substance corresponds to caffeine. Dogs should therefore avoid teas such as green and black tea.

Herbal teas are of course allowed and offer themselves as natural remedies.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is also commercially available under the name birch sugar. This sweetener is very dangerous for the dog.

The sweetener triggers an excessive release of insulin, which can lead to the death of the animal. Even small amounts can be deadly. Irreversible brain and liver damage can occur. Symptoms are exhaustion and weakness, which can lead to circulatory collapse.

Please note that xylitol is found in many sweets, chewing gums, and other low-sugar foods. Xylitol is harmless to humans.

Onion

The onion is harmful to the dog both raw, dried, and cooked. Onion contains sulfur compounds that destroy red blood cells.

The effect can be compared to that of garlic and other types of leeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you feed a dog?

A small number of boiled potatoes, rice, and pasta can end up in the dog’s bowl without hesitation. Carrots, cucumbers, apples, and berries are also popular dog treats. Cooked meat without fat and sauce is also well-tolerated and very rich in protein. Many dogs are also happy about a piece of boiled egg or cheese.

What fruits can dogs not eat?

Furthermore, the following types of fruit and vegetables are questionable for dogs:

• avocados.
• elderberries.
• garlic.
• quinces.
• raw legumes raisins.
• star fruit.
• grapes.
• onions.

What fruit can a dog eat?

In principle, dogs are allowed to eat most types of fruit, such as apples, pears, bananas, and melons. The only thing you should never feed is grapes. And with stone fruit such as cherries, plums, and nectarines, you should remove the pit because it contains toxic hydrocyanic acid.

What does a dog like best?

Dogs love recognition and rewards when they do something well. If your four-legged friend reacts well to an exercise and, for example, comes to you quickly when you call back, you should always praise him and reward him with pats, nice words, and now and then a dog treat.

What can I cook for my dog?

As with humans, a typical home-cooked meal for dogs consists of meat, vegetables, and a “filling side”, albeit in a slightly different distribution. Poultry, beef, pork, sheep, horse and almost all other types of meat are suitable as meat.

What do dogs find disgusting?

Citrus fruits. Yes, holding half a lemon in front of a dog is almost animal cruelty. Grapefruit and oranges also give off an unpleasant smell to your dog. Only tangerines smell bearable for our four-legged friends and may even be on the menu in moderation as a healthy snack.

Can dogs distinguish tastes?

Dogs use their sense of smell rather than taste to eat. It doesn’t taste as differentiated as we humans do. It is assumed that the dog can distinguish between salty and sweet, but he certainly classifies tastes as pleasant or unpleasant.

Can I give bananas to my dog?

Dogs like bananas too, at least most of them do. The crooked fruits are sweet, and tasty, and used to be called paradise figs. They are a fruit rich in energy and sugar and can be given to dogs as a small snack between meals.