The most dangerous foods for dogs
These cause the most calls to pet poison hotlines. Keep them out of reach, and call your vet right away if your dog eats any of them:
- Chocolate and cocoa, especially dark and baking chocolate
- Grapes, raisins and currants, which can cause kidney failure
- Xylitol (birch sugar) in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters and baked goods
- Onions, garlic, chives and leeks, in any form, including powders
- Macadamia nuts
- Alcohol, caffeine and raw yeast dough
- Human pain medicine like ibuprofen and naproxen
Foods and plants that are dangerous for cats
Cats are pickier eaters, but they are more sensitive to some toxins than dogs. The big ones:
- Lilies (true lilies and daylilies). Even pollen licked off fur or water from the vase can cause deadly kidney failure. Many vets say: no lilies in a home with cats.
- Onions, garlic and chives. Cats are even more sensitive than dogs.
- Acetaminophen. A single tablet can be deadly for a cat.
- Essential oils, including tea tree oil and liquid potpourri
- Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, grapes and raisins
What to do if your pet ate something toxic
- Stay calm and move your pet away from whatever they ate.
- Work out what, how much and when. Keep the package or a photo of the label.
- Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even if your pet seems fine. Some poisons (like grapes, xylitol and lilies) take hours to show signs.
- Don't make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. It can make some poisonings worse.
- If told to come in, bring the packaging with you.
Sharing safe foods the smart way
"Safe" means safe plain and in small amounts. Seasonings, butter, sauces and bones turn many safe foods into risky ones. Keep all treats, including people food, under about 10% of your pet's daily calories, and introduce new foods slowly. Our pet food calculator shows your pet's daily calories.
How we built this list
Every entry is based on widely published veterinary guidance, including animal poison control lists and veterinary school resources. When the evidence for a species is thin, we choose the more cautious answer and say so. This checker is for general education only. It is not veterinary advice and can't account for your pet's health, size or medical history. When in doubt, don't share it, and ask your vet.
Questions people ask
Can dogs eat grapes?
No. Grapes, raisins and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. If your dog eats any, call your vet right away, even if they seem fine.
Can cats eat tuna?
A little plain tuna packed in water is fine as an occasional treat, but it shouldn't be a regular food. Too much tuna can lead to nutrient imbalances, and some cats get hooked on it.
What human foods are toxic to dogs?
The most common are chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol (in sugar-free products), onions, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine and raw yeast dough.
Are lilies toxic to cats?
Yes. True lilies and daylilies are extremely dangerous to cats. Even a little pollen or vase water can cause kidney failure. If your cat has any contact with lilies, see a vet immediately.
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Yes, if it does not contain xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar). Choose plain, unsalted peanut butter and keep portions small because it is high in calories.
What should I do if my dog ate chocolate?
Note what kind of chocolate, how much and when, then call your vet or a pet poison hotline. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Don't wait for symptoms.
The Paw Plan shares general information, not veterinary advice. For your pet's health, diet or an emergency, call your vet or a pet poison hotline.
