The Scoop archive · Life with dogs
10 Human-Food Hazards to Keep Away From Dogs
It is tempting to share a bite when your dog is watching the dinner table. Some everyday foods can be dangerous, though, and the risk depends on what was eaten and how much. This is a keep-out-of-reach list, not a ranking or a guide to safe doses.
Ten Food Hazards to Watch
- Chocolate. Keep chocolate and cocoa products away from dogs, including baking supplies.
- Grapes and raisins. Do not offer them as treats; remember that raisins can be hidden in baked goods.
- Onions and garlic. Keep these ingredients and foods containing them out of your dog’s meal.
- Xylitol. Check ingredient labels on sugar-free products. This sweetener can cause dangerous low blood sugar and liver injury.
- Alcohol. Put drinks and alcohol-containing foods where your dog cannot reach them.
- Caffeine. Keep coffee, tea, caffeinated drinks, and related products away from pets.
- Macadamia nuts. Keep the nuts and foods containing them out of reach.
- Avocado pits. The pit presents a blockage risk; do not leave it where a dog can swallow it.
- Bones, cooked or raw. Neither is a risk-free treat. Bones can cause injury or obstruct the digestive tract. See WSAVA’s treat-safety guidance.
- Fatty table scraps. Do not make rich leftovers a dog treat.
These hazards are covered in the FDA’s pet household-hazard guidance and ASPCA Poison Control’s food guidance. Raw bones are not a safer default, and the absence of an immediate symptom is not a reason to guess that an exposure was harmless.
If Your Dog Eats Something Concerning
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service right away. Keep the packaging or ingredient list, estimate the amount and time eaten, and be ready to give your dog’s weight. Do not wait for a symptom list to match or try a home remedy. The FDA advises prompt professional contact for a possible dangerous ingestion.
Plan the Treats Before the Meal
Set aside your dog’s usual suitable treat rather than sharing from plates. Ask guests not to feed the dog and put leftovers and trash away promptly. If you want to introduce another food, ask your veterinarian what fits your dog’s diet and health needs.
Sources & further reading
These references support the topics noted below, not every statement in this article.
- U.S. FDA: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet — Listed food hazards, avocado-pit/bone obstruction risk, variable toxicity, and contacting a veterinarian or poison-control service promptly. (checked 2026-10-29)
- ASPCA Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — Xylitol low-blood-sugar/liver risk, alcohol/chocolate/caffeine hazards, and raw bones as potential injury/obstruction hazards; no safe amounts or home treatment. (checked 2026-10-29)
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association: Feeding Treats to Your Dog — Both cooked/raw bones can be dangerous; veterinary healthcare team should advise suitable treat type and amount; no calorie targets reproduced. (checked 2026-10-29)