a curious cat is sitting next to a variety of foods that are harmful to pets.

30 Harmful Foods for Dogs & Cats: They Shouldn't Eat or Less

Sometimes when we sit down to relax, we might crave a snack to unwind. Imagine your cat or dog staring at you with their big, pleading eyes 👀 as if to say, "Hey, how can you enjoy the good stuff all by yourself?" It's hard not to share the food by your side with them.

Hold up! Before you do, think about whether the snack you're eating is safe for them. Some human foods can be harmful or even toxic to pets, potentially causing serious health issues or even death.

Many human foods are taboo for cats and dogs. We're going to share with you 30 harmful foods to keep in mind, be vigilant against accidental consumption, and protect your furry friends.

20 Toxic Foods and 10 Unrecommended Foods

Absolutely No 🚫 Absolutely No 🚫 Not Recommended ❗
Chocolate Apricot Stems/Leaves/Pits Bones
Coffee & Tea Cherry Stems/Leaves/Pits Seafood
Onions & Scallions Peach Stems/Leaves/Pits Milk
Grapes & Raisins Plum Stems/Leaves/Pits Sugary Foods
Alcohol Nuts Spicy Foods
Avocado Mushrooms Salty Foods
Garlic/Leeks Certain Plants Oily Foods
Xylitol Mustard Raw Eggs
Yeast-containing Foods Moldy Foods Raw Fish/Meat
Tobacco Rhubarb Table Scraps

🚫 20 Toxic Foods  🚫

🍫 Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to pets. They cannot metabolize these substances effectively. Any kind of chocolate—white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or liqueur-filled—is harmful.

The toxicity depends on the type of chocolate, with dark chocolate being more dangerous than milk chocolate due to higher caffeine content. If your pet consumes chocolate, use a Chocolate Toxicity Calculator for Dogs or Cats and contact your vet immediately.

Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning: Diarrhea, Excessive Thirst, Frequent Urination, Panting, Restlessness, Rapid Heart Rate, Muscle Tremors, Seizures.

 

☕ Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea are packed with caffeine, which is a big no-no for pets. Just 3-4 mg of caffeine per pound of body weight can poison a cat, and about 9 mg per pound can poison a dog.

Beware: many common foods like candy and chocolate may also contain caffeine.

Symptoms of Caffeine Poisoning: Vomiting, Diarrhea, Excessive Thirst, Frequent Urination, Panting, Hyperactivity, Abnormal Heart Rhythm, Muscle Tremors, Seizures, Death.

 

🧅 Onions and Scallions

These everyday seasonings contain thiosulfate, which is toxic to cats and dogs. They can damage your pet's red blood cells, leading to anemia.

All types of onions—red, white, yellow—are dangerous, whether raw, cooked, dehydrated, or in sauces and powders. Also, avoid scallions, chives, and leeks.

Symptoms of Onion Poisoning: Loss of Appetite, Vomiting, Weakness, Lethargy, Reddish urine, Panting, Elevated Heart Rate, Fainting.

 

🍇 Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid, which can damage pets' kidneys, leading to renal failure. Be cautious of baked goods (bread, cookies) and snacks (trail mix) containing these fruits. Also avoid grape juice and grape products.

Symptoms of Grape Poisoning: Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weakness, lethargy, excessive thirst, dehydration, muscle tremors.

 

🍷 Alcohol

You might want to get drunk when you're unhappy, experiencing headaches, thirst, lethargy, and vomiting... But always remember that alcohol is highly toxic to all pets, causing dehydration, hypoglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, and liver/kidney problems.

Although you wouldn't directly give pets alcohol to drink, many desserts (rum cakes, tiramisu, some chocolates, etc.) contain alcohol, and some fermented fruits (fermented apples) may also contain alcohol, so be extra careful.

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning: Vomiting, Difficulty Breathing, Diarrhea, Dehydration, Electrolyte Abnormalities, Blood Acidity Abnormalities, Loss of Coordination, Central Nervous System Depression, Liver & Kidney Problems, Hypoglycemia, Coma, Death

 

🥑 Avocado

Avocado contains a bactericidal toxin called Persin, which is present in the skin, flesh, pit, seeds, and leaves, potentially causing digestive problems and serious health issues or even death. (A small amount of avocado is not very dangerous for dogs and cats, but there is still a certain risk, so it's best to avoid pets eating it)

Symptoms of Persin Poisoning: Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Diarrhea, Stomach Discomfort, Difficulty Breathing, Pleural Effusion

 

🧄 Garlic and Leeks

Similar to onions and green onions, garlic, which flavors human food, contains sulfides that are highly toxic to cats and dogs, destroying their red blood cells and causing anemia.

Symptoms of Garlic Poisoning: Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea, Weakness, Panting, Salivation, Lethargy

 

🧿 Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that sweetens sugar-free gum and candies and is also found in some baked goods, mints, toothpaste, peanut butter, and nut butter.

Xylitol is toxic to dogs, easily absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a large release of insulin, leading to a sharp drop in blood sugar, and can be fatal. Additionally, it can cause liver failure in dogs.

Xylitol is not toxic to cats, but it is still advised not to feed it.

Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning: Vomiting, Lethargy, Loss of Coordination, Collapse, Seizures

 

🍞 Yeast-containing Foods

If pets accidentally eat fermenting dough, it will continue to ferment and expand in their stomachs, which is a dangerous situation, potentially leading to bloating and twisting of the stomach (GDV), causing indigestion, severe discomfort, or even death. Yeast also produces alcohol, which can be absorbed by the digestive system, leading to secondary poisoning (refer to the overview of alcohol). Avoid eating yeast dough, fermenting bread, and beer.

Symptoms of Yeast Poisoning: Indigestion, Bloating, Stomach Pain, Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

 

🚬 Tobacco

Smoking is harmful to health, applicable to both humans and animals. Long-term intake of nicotine can pose health risks to humans, but for cats and dogs, nicotine is fatal, their nervous system struggles with nicotine, ultimately causing poisoning.

Symptoms of Nicotine Poisoning: VomitingSalivationDiarrheaWeaknessDifficulty BreathingMuscle TremorsConvulsionsHigh Heart Rate

 

🫒 Apricot Stems/Leaves/Pits

Occasionally feeding cats and dogs apricot flesh will not pose a poisoning risk, but avoid eating apricot stems, leaves, and pits, as they contain cyanide, which is extremely dangerous to pets. Cats and dogs are likely to chew on apricot pits as toys, so avoid contact.

Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning: Red Gums, Rapid or Difficult BreathingSalivationConvulsionsParalysis

 

🍒 Cherry Stems/Leaves/Pits

Similar to apricots, the flesh itself will not cause poisoning, but other parts such as stems, leaves, and pits contain cyanide, so avoid pets from coming into contact with parts other than the flesh.

Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning: Red Gums, Rapid or Difficult Breathing, Salivation, Convulsions, Paralysis

 

🍑 Peach Stems/Leaves/Pits

Peach is like apricot and cherry, the flesh itself will not cause poisoning, but other parts such as stems, leaves, and pits contain cyanide, so avoid pets from coming into contact with parts other than the flesh. In addition, due to the larger size of peach pits, there may be a risk of choking, and peach flesh may cause gastrointestinal problems in cats, so try to avoid feeding.

Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning: Red GumsRapid or Difficult BreathingSalivationConvulsionsParalysis

 

🔴 Plum Stems/Leaves/Pits

Plums follow the same rule as the stone fruits mentioned above—small amounts of the flesh are fine, but they're high in sugar, so not the best snack choice. And watch out for those pits; they could be a choking risk. The stems, leaves, and pits are also toxic to cats and dogs, containing cyanide.

Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning: Red gumsRapid or Difficult Breathing DroolingConvulsionsParalysis

 

🌰 Nuts

Many nuts contain some chemical ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats, so please avoid feeding them.

Walnuts/pecans: contain pecan quinone, which is toxic to dogs; Almonds: contain bitter amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when ingested, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. They are also difficult to digest, causing gastrointestinal distress and pancreatitis; macadamia nuts are toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause serious health problems.

Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning: Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Weakness, Drowsiness,  Overheating, Shortness of Breath, Difficulty Breathing, Abnormal Heart Rate

 

🍄 Mushrooms

Most store-bought mushrooms are safe, but wild ones can be deadly. Mushroom poisoning can lead to severe illness or even death. Some mushrooms show their toxicity right away, while others might take up to 12 hours to cause symptoms.

When taking your dog out, keep them away from foraging for fungi.

Symptoms of Mushroom Poisoning: VomitingDiarrheaStomach PainLethargy Excessive SalivationLoss of BalanceLoss of Motor ControlSeizuresCollapse

 

🪴 Some Houseplants

Many of us enjoy having greenery around the house, but be aware that some common houseplants can be harmful or even highly toxic to pets. Here are a few to watch out for:

  • Araceae family plants (like Pothos, Monstera, Philodendron, Dracaena, and Peace Lily)
  • Rhododendron family plants (like Azaleas, Pieris, and Blueberries)
  • Amaryllidaceae family plants (like Narcissus, Clivia, and Amaryllis)
  • Euphorbiaceae family plants (like Euphorbia, Poinsettia, and Crown of Thorns)
  • Cactaceae family succulents
  • Scented plants like Geraniums, Mint, and Lavender
  • Lilies (especially dangerous for cats)
  • Daffodils

Please note that this list isn't exhaustive; many other plants can also be harmful. It's a good idea to check with the ASPCA for more information.

Symptoms of Houseplant Poisoning: VomitingDiarrheaBradycardiaShock Difficulty BreathingOrgan FailureHallucinationsAgitationLoss of Motor Control Death

 

🍣 Mustard

Be careful with mustard; it contains certain ingredients, especially mustard seeds, that can be toxic to pets (especially dogs). It might cause digestive problems and could lead to gastroenteritis. If you're enjoying sushi or sashimi, make sure your pet doesn't get a taste.

Symptoms of Houseplant Poisoning: VomitingDiarrheaDepressionDecreased AppetiteLethargyExcessive Thirst or UrinationLoss of CoordinationFever

 

🦠 Moldy Food

Moldy food contains mycotoxins like aflatoxins, which can lead to liver damage in pets and is extremely harmful, especially to dogs. It can cause severe health issues or even death. Bread and baked goods, meat, nuts, milk, fruits, and vegetables are all susceptible to mold, so make sure your pet avoids expired food.

Symptoms of Mold Poisoning: VomitingDiarrheaDifficulty BreathingSeizuresFeverLiver FailureDeath

 

🥬 Rhubarb

Rhubarb contains a high amount of oxalic acid, which can irritate the digestive system. When a sufficient amount of rhubarb is consumed, oxalic acid reacts with calcium in the bloodstream to form calcium oxalate crystals, burdening the kidneys of pets.

Symptoms of Oxalic Acid Poisoning: VomitingDiarrheaLethargyWeaknessHematuriaKidney Problems

 

❌ 10 Unrecommended Foods❗️

Many foods aren't toxic to pets and can even be nutritious, but they may still pose certain risks. Here are some that you should either avoid or feed sparingly. If you're looking to supplement certain nutrients, consider safer alternatives like pet health supplements.

🦴 Bones

Bones might seem harmless, but they can be quite dangerous, especially cooked bones which can splinter and become sharp, potentially cutting your pet's mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines, and causing constipation or diarrhea. Also, pets can easily choke on bones while playing or chewing.

If you decide to give your pet bones, make sure they're the right size to avoid these issues. It's usually best to opt for processed bone products specifically designed for pets, which are safer and reduce these risks. However, the safest choice is to avoid giving your pet any bones, particularly poultry bones, as they can break easily and form sharp edges.

Symptoms of Bone Ingestion Issues: Vomiting, Diarrhea, ConstipationLethargyWeaknessLoss of AppetiteBloatingDehydrationRestlessnessChoking

 

🦞 Seafood & Aquatic Products

If you're a seafood lover, be cautious when considering seafood for your pets. Ensure it's safe, fresh, and all fish bones or hard shells that could cause injury are removed. Also, control the portion size to avoid overconsumption. Raw seafood could lead to parasitic infections or food poisoning.

Just like humans, cats and dogs can also be allergic to seafood. Moreover, the high salt content in seafood can negatively affect the kidneys; high cholesterol and fat could lead to obesity and pancreatitis; and parasites could cause infections.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: Vomiting, DiarrheaConstipationItchy Skin and RashDifficulty BreathingLoss of AppetiteBehavioral ChangesIncreased or Decreased Urination

 

🥛 Milk

Lactose is a sugar naturally found in milk that requires an enzyme called lactase to break down and digest. Many adult cats and dogs produce significantly less lactase after weaning, making it difficult for them to digest lactose in milk, leading to various adverse reactions and symptoms. They may also be allergic to the proteins in milk. Consider substituting with羊奶 (Note: The original text seems to have a missing word or translation error here. It should probably be "Consider substituting with goat milk").

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: VomitingDiarrheaSoft StoolsBloatingIndigestionAllergies

 

🍰 High-Sugar Foods

Sugar can have many adverse effects on the health of both us and our pets, especially the digestive system and overall health. Long-term and excessive consumption can lead to serious issues like obesity and diabetes. Be cautious with desserts, cakes, sugary drinks, etc., but it's okay to occasionally treat them.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms (from long-term/excessive consumption): ObesityDiabetesDental ProblemsVomitingDiarrheaHyperactivityFatigueNutritional Imbalance

 

🌶️ Spicy Foods

You might love the heat, but for pets, spicy foods are a no-go (and most pets won't be tempted by spicy ingredients). But if you're chowing down on a pepperoni pizza or spicy pasta... it could be a huge temptation for them.

Spicy foods can adversely affect a pet's digestive system, mouth, and throat, potentially causing indigestion, excessive irritation, and allergies, so it's best not to feed pets spicy foods.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: VomitingDiarrheaStomach PainBurning Mouth DiscomfortAllergiesPancreatitisDehydration

 

🧂 High-Salt Foods

While pets do have a physiological need for salt, their regular dry food already contains enough. Therefore, it's not recommended to feed them extra high-salt foods. Their bodies have limited ability to process salt, which can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, increased kidney burden, high blood pressure, and even severe sodium ion poisoning. Keeping a low-salt diet is an important measure to ensure their health.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: Frequent Drinking & UrinationDehydrationElectrolyte ImbalanceKidney DiseaseHigh Blood PressureHeart Disease RiskSalt Poisoning: VomitingDiarrheaTremorsSeizures

 

🍟 High-Fat Foods

Our world is filled with oily, high-fat foods, but these can cause a variety of health problems for pets. High-fat foods are high in calories, which can easily lead to obesity and digestive problems, causing stomach discomfort. Additionally, they can cause skin problems.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: VomitingDiarrheaIndigestionObesityPancreatitisSkin Problems, Fur Issues

 

🥚 Raw Eggs

Many people know that feeding cooked egg yolks can help with a pet's coat. But feeding raw eggs is not a good idea. It could lead to bacterial infections, biotin deficiency, and digestive problems.

The raw egg white contains avidin, which affects the absorption of vitamins (such as A, D, E, B7, H), leading to nutritional imbalances.

So, always cook eggs before feeding them to your pets.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: VomitingDiarrheaStomach PainFeverIndigestionSkin Problems, Fur Issues

 

🥩 Raw Fish & Meat

Raw fish and meat could harbor parasites and bacteria. Common parasites include fishborne parasites, tapeworms, and roundworms, which can reproduce inside pets. Common bacteria include Salmonella and E. coli, which can easily cause food poisoning.

Avoid giving pets raw fish and meat; cooked food or food specially designed for pets is a better choice, as it is safer and easier for pets to absorb nutrients.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: VomitingDiarrheaDigestive ProblemsNutritional ImbalancePancreatitisVitamin Deficiency

 

🍱 Leftovers

Human leftovers often contain the high sugar, salt, oil, and spicy, heavily seasoned characteristics mentioned earlier, which are too irritating for their digestive system. They may even include many of the absolutely forbidden ingredients mentioned above (such as onions, garlic, chocolate, etc.), and bones in the dishes are also unfriendly to them.

Pets have different nutritional needs than humans, and long-term consumption can cause nutritional imbalances. For their health, be sure to provide special pet food to meet their nutritional and health needs.

Adverse Reactions & Symptoms: Vomiting, DiarrheaObesityHigh Blood PressureDiabetesNutritional ImbalanceFood PoisoningDigestive ProblemsHeart Disease

 

I'm sure you've learned a lot about foods that pets should avoid and some that are not recommended. So, what foods can pets safely eat? (Of course, portion control is important). Here are our recommendations:

  • Cooked Eggs
  • Cooked Fish (boneless)
  • Cooked Chicken (preferably boneless)
  • Oats (cooked)
  • Pumpkin
  • Sweet Potatoes (cooked)
  • Carrots
  • Apples (just the flesh, without seeds)
  • Watermelon
  • Bananas
  • Oranges
  • Strawberries
  • Honeydew Melon

These foods can be a healthy and safe addition to your pet's diet when fed in appropriate amounts. However, always consult with your vet to ensure that these foods are suitable for your pet's specific dietary needs and restrictions.

 

What to Do If Your Pet Ingests Forbidden Foods

If your pet accidentally eats something it shouldn't, here's what you need to do:

  1. Identify the Food: Try to recall exactly what your pet ate. Was there anything potentially toxic?
  2. Remove the Remaining Food: Take away any leftover food to prevent further ingestion.
  3. Contact Your Vet: Call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Provide them with detailed information, including the type of food, the amount ingested, and any symptoms your pet is showing. This will help the vet quickly determine the best course of action.

Symptoms to Watch For and Immediate Actions

Monitor your pet closely if they exhibit any of the following symptoms, and take action promptly:

  1. Loss of Appetite: A sudden decrease or loss of appetite can be an early sign of poisoning.
  2. Vomiting/Diarrhea: These are common ways the body tries to expel harmful substances. If your pet suddenly starts vomiting or has diarrhea, consider the possibility of poisoning.
  3. Weakness/Lethargy: If your pet appears unusually tired, lacks energy, or has difficulty moving, these could be signs of poisoning.
  4. Mucous Membrane Changes: Pale or yellowish gums, mouth, lips, or eyelids indicate a problem.
  5. Increased Thirst/Urinating: Sudden changes in drinking or urinating habits can signal kidney issues due to poisoning.
  6. Abnormal Behavior: Unusual behavior such as restlessness, hyperactivity, or confusion could be signs of poisoning.
  7. Breathing Difficulties: Toxic substances can cause coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Treat this as an emergency.
  8. Rapid Heart Rate: If your pet's heart is racing or beating irregularly without physical activity, observe closely and seek veterinary care.
  9. Tremors/Seizures: Muscle tremors or seizures typically indicate severe poisoning affecting the nervous system. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial.

Emergency Steps and Contacts

Time is critical when dealing with pet poisoning. Try to get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible since certain toxins can rapidly lead to serious illness or death. Before you reach the vet, you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for guidance:

📞: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

The faster you act, the better the chances for your pet's recovery.

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