Banned, Toxic and Bad Foods for Dogs: A Complete List

As dog owners, sometimes we are tempted to give our canine companion food that is not made for them. This is not necessarily bad, but it is very important to know what are the forbidden, toxic and bad foods for dogs, since eating them could make them seriously ill or even worse.

So, in order for you to care for and feed your dogs with peace of mind, we are going to give you a comprehensive list of the most common forbidden foods for dogs and explain why they are toxic or bad for them.

List of prohibited foods for dogs:

0.1 1. Xylitol sweetener
0.2 2. Chocolate and coffee
0.3 3. Onions, garlic and chives
0.4 4. Raw or undercooked meat, eggs and bones
0.5 5. Salt and salty snacks
0.6 6. Nuts
0.7 7. Alcohol
0.8 8. Human medications and vitamins
0.9 9. Apple seeds
0.10 10. Avocado
0.11 11. Cat food
0.12 12. Cooked bones
0.13 13. Corn on the cob
0.14 14. Fat trimmings
0.15 15. Grapes and raisins
0.16 16. Liver
0.17 17. Milk and dairy products

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1. Xylitol sweetener

Xylitol is a type of artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free products such as chewing gum and candy and is toxic for dogs as it can cause insulin release, which can lead to liver failure, seizures and brain damage in your pet.

2. Chocolate and coffee

Although this is known to all, it is necessary to remember that chocolate (because of its high sugar content) and coffee (because of the caffeine) are bad foods for dogs and their health. But the real reason why these are forbidden foods is because of the presence of methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, convulsions and even death.

3. Onions, garlic and chives

Regardless of their form (dried, raw, cooked, powdered, in other foods), onions are one of the most common toxic dog foods in every household. This is because of the disulfides and sulfoxides in these foods, which can cause anemia and damage red blood cells.

4. Raw or undercooked meat, eggs and bones

Raw meat and eggs often contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can be harmful to both pets and humans. So remember to cook these foods a little if you want to give them to your dog. In addition, raw bones can also be very dangerous for pets, as they can choke on them, and if the bone splinters, it could get stuck or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.

5. Salt and salty snacks

Salt, as well as foods high in salt are bad for dogs as they are for humans. Food such as potato chips and crackers can cause excessive thirst, urination or even sodium ion poisoning in dogs.

6. Nuts

Any kind of nuts, such as almonds, pecans and walnuts are forbidden foods for dogs, because of their high amounts of oil and fat, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea or even pancreatitis in pets.

7. Alcohol

This may go without saying, but under no circumstances should you give alcohol (be it beer, wine or high alcoholic beverages) to your dog. This is one of the most toxic foods for dogs, as it has the same effect on your dog’s liver and brain as it does on a human’s, but it only takes a little bit to do a lot of damage.

8. Human medications and vitamins

Dogs and humans are different breeds of animals and under no circumstances should you give any kind of medication to your dog. This is because medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can cause serious damage to the health of your canine friend.

9. Apple seeds

If you are planning to give an apple to your dog be careful, as apple seeds are one of the most toxic dog foods to watch out for. This is because it contains a chemical that releases cyanide when digested.

10. Avocado

We may like avocados a lot, but it is one of the most unhealthy foods for dogs that, due to ignorance of the owners, are most often offered to them. The reason is because this fruit contains persin, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and heart congestion. We should also not forget that the most dangerous part of an avocado is the pit, since it supposes a risk of asphyxia for the animal and this part contains the most persine.

11. Cat food

If you have dogs and cats at home be careful with their bowls, because cat food contains proteins and fats that fit the diet of a cat, but not the diet of a dog, so it can become a bad food for them. The reason for this is that the protein and fat levels in cat food are too high for your dog and are therefore unhealthy.

12. Cooked bones

Yes, bones are forbidden foods for dogs, not because they can be toxic, but because bones can easily splinter when chewed on by a dog. So if you are thinking of giving your dog a piece of cooked meat or chicken, keep in mind that you will have to remove all the bones first.

13. Corn on the cob

Although it is safe for a dog to ingest small amounts of corn, if given in excess it can become one of the bad foods for dogs. Especially if we offer him a whole cob of corn, which could cause choking and can lead to intestinal obstruction.

14. Fat trimmings

Fat is neither good for humans nor for dogs, so there is no need to give it to them. The main reason for this is that foods high in calories could end up causing your dog to develop obesity and they become overweight.

15. Grapes and raisins

Grapes and raisins are bad foods for dogs, as they can cause kidney failure, even if it is a small amount. Among the symptoms they can cause are vomiting and lack of energy, so if you consume this type of food regularly, keep them far away from your furry friend.

16. Liver

Liver can be a suitable food in very small amounts, but in excess it can be very dangerous. Liver is potentially a toxic dog food because it contains a high dose of vitamin A, which can negatively affect the muscles and bones of dogs, especially when they are puppies.