A beagle seen from above eating dry food from a metal bowl on a concrete floor

October 4, 2026 Jessica Northrup

13 Bad Things For Dogs: Foods And Household Items To Keep Away

Thirteen things on this page are toxic or risky for dogs: chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, onion, garlic, and chives, raw bread dough, alcohol, salt, human pain medicine, coins, dryer sheets, avocado, and antifreeze. Some are foods and some are products from around the house.

If your dog has already eaten one of them, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away. The ASPCA says, “A consultation fee may apply.”

What To Do If Your Dog Ate One Of These

The ASPCA says, “If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435.” On its list of people foods to avoid, it adds that you should “please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or poison control at (888) 426-4435.” Pet Poison Helpline's number is (855) 764-7661, and its pages say an incident fee applies. Pet Poison Helpline also says, “If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment.”

Our guide to when a pet needs immediate veterinary care covers general warning signs that a pet needs urgent care.

1. Chocolate

The ASPCA says chocolate, coffee, and caffeine have toxicity concerns that “stem from their methylxanthine concentrations.” Its list of signs is “vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.” It also says, “The darker (higher cacao percentage) the chocolate, or the higher the caffeine content, the greater the risk for toxicity,” and that “White chocolate has the lowest methylxanthine content while baking chocolate and cocoa powder have the highest concentrations.”

Pet Poison Helpline adds that “the severity of the poisoning depends upon the amount and type of chocolate ingested and the size and health status of the patient.” It also warns that “chocolate candy and baked goods may also contain other poisonous foods including macadamia nuts, raisins, or xylitol (a sugar substitute).”

2. Sugar-Free Gum And Xylitol

The FDA says, “Sugarless gum may contain xylitol, a class of sweetener known as sugar alcohol.” The ASPCA says xylitol “is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste.” The FDA's longer list adds mouthwash, breath mints, cough syrup, chewable vitamins, and “some peanut and nut butters.”

For signs, the FDA lists “vomiting, followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of your dog's blood sugar, such as decreased activity, weakness, staggering, incoordination, collapse and seizures.” The FDA says, “If you think your dog may have eaten a product containing xylitol, call your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control center right away.” An FDA veterinarian, Martine Hartogensis, says, “Check the label for xylitol in the ingredients of products, especially ones that advertise as sugar-free or low sugar. If a product does contain xylitol, make sure your pet can't get to it.”

A golden retriever lying on a wood floor sniffing a flat white pack that spilled from a tan leather handbag, next to three coins and a key

3. Grapes And Raisins

The ASPCA says, “Tartaric acid is speculated to be the toxic component in grapes and raisins. Since dogs are not able to process tartaric acid, exposure to grapes/raisins can lead to kidney damage.” Pet Poison Helpline says, “Clinical signs of poisoning begin with gastrointestinal upset followed closely by kidney injury.”

4. Macadamia Nuts

The ASPCA says macadamia nuts “can cause weakness, incoordination, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.” Pet Poison Helpline says, “Some dogs may also develop pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) due to the high oil content of these nuts.”

5. Onion, Garlic, And Chives

Onion, garlic, and chives belong to the Allium family. The ASPCA says Allium species “can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage, which can lead to anemia (low red blood cells). Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk depending on the amount ingested.” Pet Poison Helpline says that “Certain animal species and breeds are more sensitive to Alliums including cats and Japanese breeds of dogs (e.g., Akita, Shiba Inu).”

6. Raw Bread Dough

Let the dough rise somewhere safe from curious dogs if you're making bread or other foods with raw yeast dough, such as handmade soft pretzels. Raw yeast or raw bread dough can expand in your dog's stomach, causing unpleasant gas and bloating.

The ASPCA says, “Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet's digestive system. This can be painful and cause the stomach to bloat, and potentially twist, becoming a life-threatening emergency.” Pet Poison Helpline lists the signs of bloat or GDV as “vomiting, non-productive retching, a distended stomach, an elevated heart rate, weakness, collapse, and death.” It also says the yeast produce alcohol as the dough ferments, and that this alcohol “is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and results in alcohol poisoning.”

A beagle sitting on a kitchen floor looking up at a bowl of dough covered with a white towel on the top shelf of a wooden shelf unit

7. Alcohol

The ASPCA says, “Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, changes in blood pH, coma and even death. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed after ingestion, so it's important to take prompt action in seeking veterinary attention if your pet has had exposure.” Pet Poison Helpline says exposure happens when pets “take licks of mixed drinks, beer, or wine” and can also happen with “candies with liquor centers or raw bread dough made with yeast.”

8. Salt

The ASPCA says, “Excessive salt intake can produce increased thirst and urination, and sometimes abnormal electrolytes in the blood depending on the amount ingested. Signs of salt toxicity can include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, seizures and even death.” Pet Poison Helpline names the common ways pets get too much: “handmade salt-dough ornaments or homemade salt-play dough, eating snow with salt de-icer, drinking excessive ocean water or salt water.”

9. Human Pain Medicine

Pet Poison Helpline says ibuprofen, which it also lists as Advil, “is a human-specific, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); this medication should not be administered to companion animals.” It names “gastrointestinal ulceration” among the severe signs. For acetaminophen, which it also lists as Tylenol, it says, “While this drug is safe for human use, it has a narrower margin of safety in dogs and is especially dangerous for cats. Clinical signs can include gastrointestinal distress, blood abnormalities, and liver failure.”

10. Coins

Pet Poison Helpline says, “While some coins can be safely ingested and passed out in the stool a few days later, some types of coins contain large amounts of zinc, resulting in zinc poisoning.” It lists the signs as “weakness, pale gums (anemia), vomiting, increased breathing, increased heart rate, discolored urine, jaundiced gums, lack of appetite, and collapse.” It also says, “If you suspect your dog, cat, or bird ingested a metal piece or coin, an x-ray should be done immediately. Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline® immediately for life-saving treatment advice.”

11. Dryer Sheets And Fabric Softener

The ASPCA says, “Most laundry dryer sheets, especially those that are unused, contain cationic detergents. These detergents can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers to the pet's mouth, esophagus and stomach. Additionally, the sheets can pose a risk of a foreign body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and can be a medical emergency.” It also says, “Most fabric softeners also contain cationic detergents which can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers to the pet's mouth, esophagus and stomach.”

12. Avocado

The ASPCA says avocado “is primarily a problem for birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses and ruminants including sheep and goats.” The Merck Veterinary Manual says, “Although a single case report exists of 2 dogs developing myocardial damage after avocado ingestion, dogs seem relatively resistant compared with other species. In addition, dogs ingesting the intact pit of the avocado fruit can develop foreign body obstruction of the GI tract.”

For cat parents: Cats shouldn't eat avocado.

13. Antifreeze

Pet Poison Helpline says dogs are exposed through “leaking vehicles, containers in garages and storage sheds, winterized RV plumbing including toilets, and improperly disposed vehicular waste fluids.” It says, “While many antifreeze products contain ethylene glycol, not all products do, making it important to determine which type of antifreeze a pet may have ingested.” It also says, “small volumes of the antifreeze ethylene glycol can lead to death if treatment is delayed after exposure. Contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately if you suspect your pet ingested antifreeze.”

Our post on antifreeze poisoning covers it in more detail. Our post on snail bait covers another poison dogs meet in yards.

Toxic Things For Dogs FAQ

Can puppies eat nuts?

The ASPCA lists macadamia nuts as a problem for dogs and says, “Nuts, including almonds, pecans and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats. These fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some pets.”

Are aquarium chemicals dangerous to dogs?

Our post on aquarium chemicals that are dangerous to dogs covers the products used for tank maintenance and for treating sick fish. The ASPCA says, “If you suspect your pet has been exposed to any toxic substance, contact your veterinarian or call poison control immediately at (888) 426-4435.”

If you want a homemade treat for your dog, these grain-free treat recipes are one place to start. Gift idea: my dog is my best friend shirt, from our dog tees collection.

Sources

Previous article Do Dogs Fart? Causes of Canine Flatulence

Next article Safe Dog Eye Wash: What to Use and What to Avoid