Which Foods Poison Dogs and Cats?
If your pet ate anything in the left column, make the call before reading on.
| Never feed these | Usually fine in small amounts |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | Plain cooked chicken (no bones, no seasoning) |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters, baking) | Carrots |
| Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas | Plain cooked rice |
| Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, cooked, raw or powdered | Plain canned pumpkin, no spices |
| Alcohol, and raw yeast dough | Blueberries |
| Macadamia nuts | Peanut butter, only if xylitol-free |
| Lilies, for cats (whole plant, pollen and vase water) | Cat grass grown for cats |
Why Any Amount Is Worth a Call
Each of these foods harms the body in its own way, so there is no single sign to watch for. How much causes trouble depends on the food, the amount and the individual animal: dark and baking chocolate are riskier than milk chocolate, and a small dog is at greater risk from the same amount than a large one. That is why a quick call beats a guess.
Xylitol Hides in More Than Gum
Xylitol, a sweetener that is dangerous to dogs, now turns up in some peanut butters, sugar-free baking, some toothpastes and many low-sugar snacks. The FDA notes it may also be called birch sugar or wood sugar. Check the label of anything sugar-free before using it as a pill wrapper or a treat. A dropped piece of gum or a lick off a spoon is how most exposures happen.
Lilies and Cats
True lilies (such as Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental and stargazer lilies) and daylilies are very dangerous to cats. The US Food and Drug Administration warns that every part is toxic, including pollen groomed off fur and the water in the vase, and that they can cause kidney failure within days. Keep them out of any home with a cat, and call your vet at once if your cat may have touched one. Dogs that eat lilies may get an upset stomach but are not affected in the same way.
What to Do Straight Away
- Move your pet away from the food and keep the wrapper or packet.
- Phone your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison line. Say what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet's weight.
- Follow their instructions. Don't wait for signs; some effects take hours or days to show.
Never make a pet vomit or give any remedy at home unless a vet tells you to: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. The wrong home treatment can make things worse.
Some countries have animal poison lines, for example the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline in the US and Animal PoisonLine in the UK. Some charge a fee. Save your vet's and your local emergency clinic's numbers in your phone today.
Kitchen Storage That Prevents Emergencies
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The best protection is boring: a bin with a pet-proof lid keeps wrappers and scraps out of reach, airtight containers cover anything on a low shelf, and a gate across the kitchen keeps pets out during cooking and parties, when tempting food sits on counters.
Safer Habits
Most poisonings are accidents: a counter within reach, a dropped grape, a guest sharing cake. Prevention is mostly storage and habits. Keep the foods above shut away, tell guests and children what not to share, and take extra care at holidays when chocolate and rich food are everywhere. A closed pantry and a lidded bin stop more emergencies than training a dog not to counter-surf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What owners ask once they see how long the list is.
Is a small taste of chocolate an emergency?
It depends on the type, the amount and your pet's size, and there is no safe way to judge that at home. Phone your vet or an animal poison line and let them work out the risk.
My dog ate a grape and seems fine. Do I still need to call?
Yes. Problems from grapes and raisins can appear well after a dog seems normal, so call now while there is time to act.
Are onion and garlic powder as risky as fresh?
Yes, and often more concentrated. Gravies, stocks and spice mixes made with onion or garlic powder carry the same risk, so read ingredient lists.
Is xylitol dangerous for cats too?
The danger is best documented in dogs; the FDA says it does not seem to be as dangerous for cats. Keep it away from all pets anyway, and note that ferrets can be badly affected.
Is avocado toxic?
The stone and skin are a bigger concern for dogs than the flesh, and the stone can cause a blockage. For pet birds it is dangerous: the RSPCA warns avocado is highly poisonous to parrots. It isn't worth offering to any pet.
Can I make my pet vomit at home?
No, not unless a vet tells you to. Depending on what was eaten and when, it can cause more harm. Phone for advice first.
Are all nuts dangerous, or just macadamias?
Macadamias are the nut with a well-known toxic effect in dogs. Other nuts are often fatty and salty and can upset the stomach, so keep them as rare extras at most.
Related Reading
- Winter hazards: holiday food, antifreeze and festive plants.
- Spring hazards: bulbs, lilies and Easter chocolate.
- Pet first aid basics: what to keep at home.
If your dog or cat has eaten anything on this page, or you aren't sure what it ate, call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison line straight away rather than waiting for signs.