What foods are toxic to dogs?

The most important: grapes and raisins (acute kidney failure), chocolate (theobromine — neurological and cardiac), xylitol (severe hypoglycaemia, liver failure), garlic and onions (haemolytic anaemia), macadamia nuts (tremors, weakness), avocado, alcohol and caffeine.

How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?

It depends on the type and the dog's weight. Dark chocolate and baking cocoa are the most dangerous. A toxic theobromine dose starts at ~20 mg/kg (GI symptoms); the lethal dose can be 100-500 mg/kg. A 10-kg dog can have severe symptoms from 100 g of dark chocolate.

What should I do if my dog ate something toxic?

Call your vet immediately. Do NOT induce vomiting yourself unless instructed by the vet. Time is critical — the sooner you act, the better the prognosis.

Are grapes always toxic to dogs?

Yes — grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs regardless of the amount. Even small quantities have caused acute kidney failure. The exact causative agent is still being investigated. There is no safe dose.

Toxic Foods for Dogs: Complete List and Emergency Action

The 10 Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs

1. Grapes and Raisins

Cause acute kidney failure — even small amounts. The exact mechanism is unknown. Symptoms: vomiting and diarrhoea within hours, lethargy, anorexia, reduced urination. No safe dose exists. Immediate veterinary emergency.

2. Chocolate

Contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolise very slowly. Dark chocolate and baking cocoa are the most dangerous. Symptoms (2-12 hours after ingestion): vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, death at high doses.

3. Xylitol

A sweetener found in chewing gum, sugar-free sweets, "light" peanut butter, toothpaste and many "sugar-free" products. In dogs: severe hypoglycaemia within 30-60 minutes (massive insulin release) and delayed liver failure (12-24 hours). Extremely dangerous — always check labels.

4. Garlic, Onion, Leeks and Chives

Contain organosulfur compounds that damage red blood cells causing haemolytic anaemia. Garlic is 5× more toxic than onion by weight. Powdered and dehydrated forms are more concentrated. Symptoms may appear 1-5 days after ingestion.

5. Macadamia Nuts

Cause hind limb weakness, tremors, hyperthermia and vomiting within 12 hours. Rarely fatal but causes significant distress. Mechanism unknown.

6. Avocado

Persin (in leaves, skin, pit and flesh) causes vomiting, diarrhoea and at high doses cardiac damage. Breeds predisposed to cardiomyopathy are more vulnerable.

7. Alcohol

Dogs are extremely sensitive to ethanol. Causes CNS depression, hypoglycaemia, hypothermia and can be lethal in small amounts.

8. Caffeine

Coffee, tea, cola drinks, energy drinks. Similar to chocolate — causes tachycardia, tremors, agitation and seizures.

9. Walnuts (especially mouldy ones)

Walnuts — especially black walnuts — can contain juglone, which is neurologically toxic. Mouldy nuts produce tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause seizures.

10. Cooked Bones and Fish Bones

Not poisons, but cooked bones splinter and can perforate the digestive tract. Raw meaty bones (RMB) are generally safer but require supervision.

What to Do if Your Dog Ingested Something Toxic

Stay calm and gather information: what they ate, how much, when.
Call your vet immediately — or a veterinary toxicology emergency service.
Do NOT induce vomiting on your own: some substances cause more damage coming back up; hydrogen peroxide used without supervision can cause aspiration pneumonia.
If the vet instructs you to bring a sample of the ingested food, take the packaging too.