10 Foods You Should Never Eat Around Your Pets

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Pet owners, we’ve all had that moment—the moment you’re sitting on the couch with a snack when you see big, pleading eyes staring up at you. Our pets look so happy that they’re so excited around that morsel, it’s tempting to share a bite. However, what we might consider harmless might actually be dangerous, or even life threatening to our furry friends.

There are some foods that are perfectly fine for humans to eat, but can be horrible for a pets digestive system or worse, cause toxic reactions. Aside from being a good parent, knowing what to avoid is about keeping them safe and healthy. Okay, so let’s get right into a list of foods that you should never eat around your pets, and why they’re best kept far away from those adorable paws.

Chocolate

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While humans love chocolate, it’s one of the most dangerous foods for pets, especially dogs. The theobromine and caffeine in chocolate can cause symptoms from vomiting and diarrhea to heart failure or seizures. It’s particularly potent in dark chocolate and baking chocolate.

Grapes and Raisins

Another surprising danger for pets, dogs in particular, are grapes and raisins. Small amounts can cause kidney failure. What’s scary is that the exact toxin has not been identified — why some pets are more affected than others is a mystery. According to the ASPCA, they strongly advise pet owners from leaving these around, even if they look “healthy.”

Onions and Garlic

While onions and garlic may give our dishes a flavor, they’re a recipe for disaster for pets. Some of these vegetables can destroy red blood cells causing anemia. Symptom usually appear a few days after consumption and include lethargy, weakness, and pale gums. Even powdered forms of these seasonings are dangerous, so be careful what you’re cooking around your pets.

Avocado

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Humans are all obsessed with avocado as a superfood, but it’s bad news for pets. Avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in birds and small animals, and heart congestion in all animals. Dogs tend to have a slightly higher tolerance, but eating the flesh, pit, or the leaves of an avocado can still cause stomach upset, and ultimately be fatal.

Alcohol

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Although it might seem like common sense, some pet owners don’t realize how toxic alcohol can be. Just a little bit of beer, wine or spirits can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems and even coma. It’s not just about drinks though; foods cooked in alcohol or yeast dough can also ferment in a pet’s stomach and produce toxic levels.

Xylitol

This artificial sweetener used in sugar free gum and candies and even some peanut butter brands is highly toxic to pets. Dogs get a rapid insulin release from xylitol which results in low blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure. It is known that as little as 0.1 grams of xylitol per kilogram of body weight can be life threatening for dogs. It is less likely that cats will encounter it, but they can be affected also.

Cooked Bones

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Raw bones are usually OK, but cooked are a no no. They are prone to splintering and can be a choking hazard or tear up your pet’s digestive tract. While many pet owners mistakenly believe all bones are safe, cooked bones can be a real emergency that lands you at the vet’s office.

Macadamia Nuts

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While macadamia nuts may sound like an odd culprit, they are very toxic to dogs. Even a few can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia. While experts aren’t entirely sure why macadamia nuts are so bad for pets, the consensus is clear: stay away from letting your pets snacking on macadamia nuts.

Caffeine

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Caffeine is no friend to pets, but we love our coffee, tea, and energy drinks. It can stimulate their nervous system, making them restless, breath rapidly and even cause cardiac problems. Pets are more sensitive to caffeine than humans, the Pet Poison Helpline says, and even a few sips of coffee can cause trouble.

Fatty Foods

Bacon, fried chicken, or greasy leftovers are high fat foods that might cause your pets to beg the hardest but they are a time bomb for pancreatitis. Inflammation in the pancreas, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy, is caused by this condition. No matter how irresistible puppy eyes are, it’s always better to avoid feeding your pets fatty scraps.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.