Foods that are fine for people can harm dogs and cats. The well-established dangers, and what to do if your pet eats one.
Dogs and cats process certain substances differently from people. An amount that does nothing to a person can be a heavy load for a small body, and some substances break down far more slowly in pets and build up. So the habit of sharing a little of what you eat can be riskier than it seems. The list below covers foods whose danger is widely known; something missing from it is not necessarily safe. When in doubt, do not give it.
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs break down much more slowly than people. Vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, a fast heart rate and tremors can follow, and in severe cases seizures. Dark chocolate with high cocoa content and baking cocoa are generally more dangerous than milk chocolate. Keep caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and energy drinks, as well as coffee beans and tea leaves, out of reach for the same reason. If your dog ate a cake or snack containing chocolate, noting the product type and amount helps the vet.
Grapes and raisins are known to cause acute kidney injury in dogs. The problem is that the dangerous amount varies widely between individuals and is hard to predict. Some dogs become ill after just a few, so a small amount is no reason to relax. The same goes for bread, snacks and cereal containing raisins. It is safer not to give them to cats either. Vomiting, lethargy or a change in urine output afterward can signal kidney trouble, so tell a vet right away.
Onions, garlic, leeks, scallions and chives damage red blood cells and can cause anemia. Cooking, drying or powdering does not remove the danger. Symptoms can appear days later, so looking fine right after eating is no reassurance. Cats are known to be even more sensitive than dogs. Be especially careful with foods where onion or garlic is hidden, such as broth, seasoned meat and baby food.
Xylitol is a sweetener used in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters and oral care products. In dogs it can trigger a rapid release of insulin and a dangerous drop in blood sugar, and it has also been linked to liver damage. Wobbling, lethargy, vomiting and seizures can appear, and symptoms can progress quickly. Dogs pulling gum out of bags and coat pockets is a common accident, so keep sugar-free products for people out of reach.
Beyond those four, other dangers are well known. Human medicine in particular is common and can be deadly: some human fever and pain relievers are very dangerous to cats even in small amounts, and human anti-inflammatory painkillers harm dogs too. Even if your pet seems to be in pain, do not give human medicine on your own.
Find out what, when and how much, and call a vet right away. Call even if there are no symptoms yet, because some toxic effects appear later and quicker treatment leaves more options. Do not force vomiting with methods you read online. Depending on the substance, vomiting can make things worse, and the methods themselves can be dangerous. Following a vet's instructions is the safest course.
Most accidents happen while people step away for a moment. Food on the table, the trash can, bags and treats from guests are common routes. Use a lidded trash can and tell family and guests in advance not to feed human food. On days with lots of food around, such as holidays and parties, keeping your pet in another room helps. This guide is general information; if you are not sure whether something your pet ate is dangerous, always talk to a vet.
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