Toxic Foods, Plants & Household Items for Dogs

Can cause sudden kidney failure even in small amounts. The toxic compound is unknown, making any dose dangerous.

Found in sugar-free gum, peanut butter, candy, and baked goods. Causes rapid insulin release, hypoglycemia, and liver failure.

Contains theobromine and caffeine. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Causes vomiting, seizures, and cardiac issues.

All forms (raw, cooked, powdered) damage red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia. Garlic is 5x more toxic than onions by weight.

Causes weakness, hyperthermia, vomiting, and tremors within 12 hours. Mechanism unknown.

Dogs metabolize alcohol far less efficiently than humans. Even small amounts cause vomiting, disorientation, coma, and death.

Stimulates the nervous system and heart. Causes restlessness, rapid breathing, tremors, and seizures.

Expands in the stomach, causing bloat and obstruction. Fermentation produces alcohol, leading to alcohol toxicity.

Many wild mushroom species are highly toxic. Amanita phalloides (death cap) causes liver failure. Never let dogs eat wild mushrooms.

Persin in the flesh, skin, and pit causes vomiting and diarrhea. The pit is also a choking and obstruction hazard.

Splinter into sharp fragments that can puncture the digestive tract. Raw bones are generally safer but still carry risk.

Contains myristicin, which causes hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, and seizures in large amounts.

Excessive salt causes sodium ion poisoning — vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and death in severe cases.

The pit, stem, and leaves contain cyanide. The flesh is not toxic but the pit is a choking hazard.

Can contain Neorickettsia helminthoeca, a parasite that causes 'salmon poisoning disease' — fatal if untreated.

Seeds and pits contain cyanide compounds. The pits are also choking and obstruction hazards.

Essential oils and psoralens in the skin and seeds cause GI upset. Large amounts can cause CNS depression.

Small amounts are generally safe but can cause loose stools and GI upset. Coconut water has high potassium — avoid.

Most dogs are lactose intolerant. Can cause diarrhea and digestive upset. Not acutely toxic but best avoided.

Solanine in green tomatoes and tomato plants causes GI upset. Ripe red tomatoes in small amounts are generally safe.

All parts are toxic, especially the seeds. Causes liver failure and death. One or two seeds can kill a dog.

All parts contain cardiac glycosides. Causes severe vomiting, abnormal heart rate, and death.

Grayanotoxins cause vomiting, drooling, weakness, and cardiovascular collapse.

Contains cardiac glycosides that cause heart arrhythmias, vomiting, and death.

Cardiac glycosides cause heart failure. Not as severe as true lilies for dogs, but still dangerous.

Taxine alkaloids in the berries and leaves cause sudden cardiac arrest. Extremely fast-acting.

Colchicine causes severe GI bleeding, multi-organ failure, and respiratory failure.

Ricin is one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances. Even small amounts cause multi-organ failure.

Liver toxicity, GI upset, and weakness. All parts are toxic, especially the berries.

Bulbs contain the highest concentration of toxins. Causes intense GI irritation, drooling, and cardiac abnormalities.

Lycorine and other alkaloids cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Saponins and anthraquinones cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and tremors.

Calcium oxalate crystals cause intense oral burning, swelling, and difficulty swallowing.

Calcium oxalate crystals cause oral irritation, drooling, and GI upset.

Insoluble calcium oxalates cause oral pain, drooling, and vomiting.

Calcium oxalate crystals cause oral burning and GI upset. Less severe than true lilies.

Triterpenoid saponins cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and abdominal pain.

Seeds and pods contain wisterin glycoside, causing severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Pyrethrins cause GI upset, drooling, and skin irritation. Rarely life-threatening.

Cyanogenic glycosides cause vomiting and diarrhea. Rarely severe.

Anticoagulant rodenticides prevent blood clotting and cause internal bleeding. Symptoms may not appear for 3–5 days.

Organophosphates and carbamates cause neurological symptoms, seizures, and death. Never use yard pesticides without checking pet safety.

Tastes sweet to dogs. Even a teaspoon can cause fatal kidney failure. Immediate treatment is critical.

Ibuprofen, naproxen, and Tylenol are highly toxic. Cause GI ulcers, kidney failure, and liver failure.

Alkaline material causes chemical burns to mouth, throat, and stomach if chewed.

Corrosive chemicals cause chemical burns to mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Tea tree oil is particularly dangerous — causes liver damage, neurological symptoms, and paralysis even in small amounts.

Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene cause liver damage, seizures, and hemolytic anemia.

Nicotine causes rapid heart rate, vomiting, seizures, and death. Nicotine patches and gum are especially concentrated.

Many fertilizers contain iron, nitrogen, and pesticides. Cause GI upset and, in large amounts, organ damage.

Cationic detergents cause corrosive injury to the mouth and GI tract.

Contain zinc, which causes hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and jaundice.

THC causes disorientation, vomiting, tremors, and in high doses, coma. Edibles are particularly dangerous due to concentrated doses.

Not toxic but can cause GI obstruction if large amounts are swallowed.