Toxic Food Checker

Quicklist of foods and drinks that can be harmful to your pet. Choose a pet type, filter, or search by name.

Note: item availability and toxicity can vary by species, breed, age, and health status. Always check with your veterinarian.

Showing 32 items in 4 categories.

Foods

16
  • Grapes & Raisins
    Deadly

    Associated with acute kidney failure in some dogs; avoid completely.

  • Raw Salmon (Pacific NW)
    High

    Risk of Salmon Poisoning Disease (Neorickettsia) carried by parasites; cook thoroughly.

  • Blue Cheese & Mold-Ripened Cheeses
    High

    May contain roquefortine C and other molds that can cause tremors and seizures.

  • Green Potatoes & Tomato Leaves
    High

    Solanine in green/sprouted potatoes and tomato leaves/stems is toxic; avoid.

  • Raw Kidney Beans (Uncooked)
    High

    Contain lectins (PHA) that can cause severe GI signs; must be thoroughly cooked.

  • Mushrooms (Wild/Unknown)
    High

    Some wild mushrooms are highly toxic; never allow foraging of unknown mushrooms.

  • Hops (Brewing)
    High

    Can trigger malignant hyperthermia; very dangerous.

  • Onions, Garlic, Chives, Leeks
    High

    Cause oxidative damage to red blood cells; raw, cooked, powdered all risky.

  • Chocolate & Cocoa
    High

    Contains theobromine and caffeine; dark/baking chocolate pose greatest risk.

  • Apple Seeds & Stone Fruit Pits
    Moderate

    Contain cyanogenic compounds; remove cores and pits before feeding fruit.

  • Nutmeg
    Moderate

    Contains myristicin; may cause disorientation and elevated heart rate.

  • Fat Trimmings & Grease
    Moderate

    High-fat scraps can trigger pancreatitis; avoid bacon grease and similar.

  • Macadamia Nuts
    Moderate

    Can cause weakness, tremors, and fever; avoid.

  • Cinnamon (Large Amounts)
    Caution

    Irritates mouth and GI tract in larger quantities; avoid concentrated powders/oils.

  • Raw or Undercooked Meat/Fish
    Caution

    Pathogen and parasite risk; bones in raw fish can injure. Consult your vet before raw diets.

  • Raw or Undercooked Eggs
    Caution

    Risk of salmonella and biotin deficiency from avidin; cook eggs if offered.

Drinks

2
  • Alcohol
    Deadly

    Even small amounts can depress CNS; uncooked yeast dough also produces alcohol.

  • Caffeine
    High

    Stimulant causing restlessness, rapid heart rate, tremors.

Sweeteners

2
  • Sugar-Free Treats (Xylitol)
    Deadly

    Often contain xylitol; even small amounts can be life-threatening.

  • Xylitol (Birch Sugar)
    Deadly

    Triggers rapid insulin release → severe hypoglycemia and potential liver failure.

Other

12
  • Acetaminophen / Ibuprofen (Human Meds)
    Deadly

    Never give human pain relievers to dogs unless prescribed; can be fatal.

  • Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
    Deadly

    Toxins in contaminated water/food can cause rapid, severe illness.

  • Salt Substitutes (Potassium Chloride)
    High

    Can cause hyperkalemia and cardiac issues if ingested in significant amounts.

  • Cocoa Mulch
    High

    Garden mulch made from cocoa shells contains theobromine; attractive and dangerous to dogs.

  • Vitamin D / Iron Supplements
    High

    Overdose can cause serious toxicity including GI and organ damage.

  • Nicotine
    High

    Rapid onset toxicity; GI upset, tremors, seizures; vape liquids are especially dangerous.

  • Marijuana & Edibles
    High

    Causes neurological depression, ataxia, urinary dribbling; edibles may also contain xylitol or chocolate.

  • Salt & Salty Snacks
    High

    Excess salt may cause sodium ion poisoning; avoid heavily salted foods.

  • Moldy or Spoiled Foods
    High

    May contain tremorgenic mycotoxins leading to tremors/seizures.

  • Raw Yeast Dough
    High

    Expands in stomach and produces alcohol; emergency risk.

  • Corn Cobs
    Moderate

    Common obstruction/choking hazard even in small pieces.

  • Cooked Bones
    Moderate

    Can splinter and cause choking or GI perforation; avoid cooked poultry/porcine bones.

Deadly Life-threatening or severe riskHigh Major toxicity concernModerate Notable illness riskCaution Mild/conditional concern

Toxic Food Checker: What Pets Should Never Eat

Use the checker above to quickly confirm foods and drinks that are unsafe for your pet. Below is an in-depth guide with the most common hazards, prevention tips, and what to do in an emergency.

Dogs Cats Birds Fish Small Mammals Reptiles

Prevention Checklist

  • Keep human treats, sugar-free products, and medications in closed cabinets.
  • Train a reliable "leave it" cue; feed pets in a separate space from people food.
  • Share safe alternatives: blueberries, sliced cucumbers, plain cooked meat (no seasoning), species-appropriate greens.
  • Check labels for xylitol/birch sugar/E967 and avoid "mold-ripened" cheeses.
  • For aquariums, always treat tap water (chlorine/chloramine) and avoid oily/salted foods.

If Your Pet May Have Ingested a Toxin

  1. Remove access to the substance; keep packaging for the vet.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless your veterinarian instructs you to.
  3. Call your veterinarian or an emergency poison helpline immediately.
  4. Provide info: species, weight, time/amount, symptoms, product label.

This guide is informational only and not a substitute for veterinary care.

Species Notes

Dogs

Avoid xylitol, grapes/raisins, chocolate, alliums, high-salt foods, moldy foods, raw yeast dough, and certain nuts (macadamia). Raw salmon (PNW) may carry parasites that cause Salmon Poisoning Disease.

Cats

Keep lilies out of reach (even pollen/water). Chocolate, alliums, some essential oils, alcohol, and mold-ripened cheeses are risky. Dog food isn't complete for cats.

Birds

Avocado (persin), alcohol, chocolate/caffeine, excess salt, raw/dry beans, and moldy seeds/peanuts are common hazards; rinse produce well.

Fish

Never add untreated tap water; avoid oily/salted table foods, dairy, caffeine/alcohol contamination. Maintain water quality first.

Small Mammals

Chocolate, alliums, rhubarb, moldy hay/pellets, excess seeds/sugary treats; many are lactose-intolerant. Provide species-appropriate greens/fiber.

Reptiles

Avoid avocado, rhubarb, nightshade greens (tomato/potato leaves), dairy, fireflies, and oversize chitinous insects. Wash greens; vary feeders.