🐾 Foods Dangerous for Dogs & Cats

An informative guide by Peiyu Han

Many common human foods can be harmful—even deadly—to our beloved pets. Here’s a carefully curated list (backed by veterinary sources) to help keep your furry family members safe and healthy.

🐶 Dangerous Foods for Dogs

Chocolate
Contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs can’t metabolize efficiently. This can lead to rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, death

Grapes & Raisins
Even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure

Onions, Garlic, Chives (Allium family)
These can damage red blood cells and result in life-threatening anemia

Xylitol
An artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candies, and baked goods. It triggers a dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and can cause liver failure

Macadamia Nuts
Can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, and overheating

Avocado
Contains persin in leaves, skin, pit, and flesh—can cause gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis

Cooked Bones
These can splinter and pose risks of choking, intestinal puncture, or blockages

Caffeinated Beverages & Products
Coffee, tea, and other sources of caffeine may cause restlessness, tremors, rapid heartbeat, and seizures .

Alcohol & Yeast Dough
Alcohol can depress the central nervous system; raw dough can expand in the stomach and ferment into alcohol.

Fruit Pits & Seeds (apple, cherry, peach)
Contain cyanogenic glycosides that break down into cyanide; pits can also cause intestinal blockage

High‑Fat Foods & Salty Snacks
Can lead to pancreatitis or serious dehydration .

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🐱 Dangerous Foods for Cats

Onions, Garlic, Chives
Highly toxic—can quickly cause anemia by destroying red blood cells .

Raw Eggs, Meat, & Bones
Risk of Salmonella or E. coli; raw bones can also choke or puncture

Chocolate & Caffeine
Contains methylxanthines—cats can experience vomiting, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and more

Alcohol & Raw Dough
Even small amounts can lead to vomiting, tremors, respiratory failure, and coma

Milk and Dairy
Most cats are lactose intolerant—milk can cause diarrhea and stomach upset .

Grapes & Raisins
Though less documented in cats, they can still lead to kidney failure or gastrointestinal upset .

Avocado
Contains persin and may irritate or harm cats similarly to dogs

Citrus Fruits
Lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit contain citric acid and essential oils that can upset a cat’s stomach

Xylitol
While no known cases in cats, better to err on the side of caution .