Dangerous Foods for your Dog

As puppy parents, one of the easiest ways we can help keep our Haas Pawz babies safe is by knowing which foods should never make it into their bowl—or their curious little mouths!

While some human foods are perfectly safe for dogs in moderation, others can be extremely dangerous or even life-threatening. Keep the following foods safely out of reach, and when in doubt, contact your veterinarian.

Alcohol & Raw Bread Dough: Dangerous for Dogs

Alcohol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause serious problems because dogs are much more sensitive to alcohol than people. Depending on the amount consumed, alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, coma, and potentially death.

Raw yeast bread dough is also dangerous. The dough can continue to expand inside your dog’s stomach, potentially causing painful bloating or a dangerous stomach obstruction. As the yeast ferments, it can also produce alcohol, creating an additional risk.

If your pup consumes alcohol or raw yeast dough, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic right away.

Apricots: Dangerous for Dogs

While the flesh of a ripe, properly prepared apricot is not generally considered highly toxic to dogs, the pit, stems, and leaves can be dangerous. The pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide when chewed or digested. The pit can also create a choking or intestinal blockage hazard.

For these reasons, it’s safest to keep apricots away from your Haas Pawz baby—especially the pit, stem, and leaves.

Avocado: Use Caution

Avocados contain a compound called persin, which can cause digestive upset in dogs, although dogs are generally more tolerant of persin than some other animals. The larger concern for dogs is often the large pit, which can cause choking or an intestinal blockage if swallowed.

Because avocados are also high in fat, eating a significant amount can cause stomach upset and may contribute to pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

Our recommendation? Skip the avocado and choose a dog-safe treat instead. 🥑🐾

Candy: Dangerous for Dogs

Candy is best kept completely away from your pup. Besides the risk of choking or intestinal blockage from wrappers, many candies contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs.

The biggest concern is sugar-free candy, which may contain xylitol. Xylitol can cause a rapid and potentially life-threatening drop in blood sugar and can also cause severe liver injury.

If you believe your dog has eaten candy containing xylitol, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service immediately.

Cherries: Dangerous for Dogs

Cherries are not a good treat for your pup. The pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and cherry pits can also become a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed.

Although the flesh itself is not considered highly toxic when the pit and plant material are removed, there are plenty of safer fruits your pup can enjoy, so we recommend skipping cherries altogether.

Chocolate & Caffeine: Dangerous for Dogs

Chocolate and caffeine should always be kept away from your dog. Chocolate contains compounds called theobromine and caffeine, which can be toxic to dogs.

Depending on the amount and type consumed, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and potentially life-threatening heart problems.

The darker and more concentrated the chocolate, the greater the potential risk. If your dog eats chocolate or consumes caffeine, don't wait for symptoms to appear—contact your veterinarian for guidance as soon as possible.

Dairy Products: Use Caution

Many dogs have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar naturally found in milk and many dairy products. Foods such as milk, ice cream, and some cheeses can cause gas, diarrhea, vomiting, or general stomach upset.

Some dogs can tolerate small amounts of certain dairy products, but every pup is different. For your Haas Pawz baby, we recommend sticking with treats and foods made specifically for dogs.

Grapes & Raisins: Dangerous for Dogs

Grapes and raisins should never be given to dogs. They can cause sudden and potentially severe kidney injury, and unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which dogs will become seriously ill or how much will cause a problem.

Because even a small amount may be dangerous for some dogs, any suspected ingestion should be taken seriously. Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service promptly rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

Gum: Dangerous for Dogs

Sugar-free gum can be extremely dangerous for dogs because it may contain xylitol.

Xylitol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and, in some cases, severe liver injury. Gum can also create a choking or intestinal blockage risk.

If your pup gets into gum—especially sugar-free gum—contact your veterinarian immediately and check the package for xylitol.

Macadamia Nuts: Dangerous for Dogs

Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and can cause symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, tremors, loss of coordination, and fever.

Symptoms can develop within hours of ingestion. If you suspect your pup has eaten macadamia nuts, contact your veterinarian right away.

Onions, Garlic & Chives: Dangerous for Dogs

Onions, garlic, chives, and other members of the allium family can be toxic to dogs. They can irritate the digestive system and damage red blood cells, potentially leading to anemia.

Symptoms may not appear immediately and can include weakness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and pale gums.

These ingredients can be found in many foods, seasonings, sauces, and powders, so be sure to check ingredient labels before sharing human food with your pup.

Raw Eggs: Use Caution

While plain, fully cooked eggs can be a nutritious occasional treat for many dogs, raw eggs carry potential risks.

Raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. Raw egg whites also contain avidin, a protein that can interfere with biotin absorption when consumed in large amounts over time.

For a safer option, offer your pup a small amount of plain, fully cooked egg without butter, oil, salt, or seasonings.

Xylitol: Extremely Dangerous for Dogs

Xylitol is one of the ingredients we want every Haas Pawz family to know about. It is a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste, medications, and other products.

Even relatively small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, and larger exposures can result in severe liver injury or failure.

Possible symptoms include vomiting, weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, tremors, seizures, and collapse.

If you think your dog has consumed anything containing xylitol, treat it as an emergency. Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.

When in Doubt, Reach Out!

Our Haas Pawz babies are naturally curious, and we know that sometimes those little noses find things they shouldn't! 🐾 If your puppy gets into something questionable, don't panic and don't wait to see what happens. Contact your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic, or an animal poison control service for guidance.

It can be helpful to keep the product packaging nearby so you can provide the exact ingredients and approximate amount your pup may have eaten.

A little prevention goes a long way toward keeping your Haas Pawz baby happy, healthy, and safe!