If you’ve ever turned your back for two seconds and caught your pet investigating your plate, you’re not alone. Food-sharing can feel sweet and harmless, but it’s also one of the most common ways cats and dogs end up needing emergency care.

If you’re worried your pet got into something they shouldn’t have, it’s always okay to call us! At VEG ER for Pets, you can call or walk in 24/7 and get answers without waiting.

The 5 human foods to never share with your dog

Some human foods are fine in tiny, plain bites. Others can cause serious illness quickly and shouldn’t be shared at all. This guide keeps it simple with the five highest-risk foods to remember, a short list of foods that are generally safe in small amounts, and a few other common ER troublemakers.

If you only remember five, make it these. They’re common in most homes and tied to some of the most urgent food-related emergencies.

1. Xylitol is toxic to dogs

Xylitol is a sweetener found in many sugar-free products like gum, mints, candies, baked goods, some peanut butters, and toothpaste. In dogs, it can trigger a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar and may lead to severe liver damage—even small amounts can be a real emergency:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• Seizure

• Vomiting

• Liver damage

• Death

While its toxicity isn’t well documented in cats, it still shouldn’t be in the “maybe” category. If it’s in your home, treat it like a high-risk item and keep it fully out of reach from pets.

2. Chocolate and caffeine

Chocolate contains the compound theobromine that can affect the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and nervous system. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous, but milk chocolate isn’t safe either.

Caffeine adds another layer of risk. Coffee, tea bags, energy drinks, soda, and caffeine pills can all cause serious symptoms in dogs and should never be ingested by cats.

In dogs, caffeine can cause:

1. Diarrhea

2. Vomiting

3. Excessive thirst

4. Rapid or uneven heart rate

5. Death

3. Grapes and raisins

In dogs, grapes and raisins can cause severe toxicity including kidney failure. There is no safe amount and some dogs can become dangerously ill after eating only a small number. For cats, the risk is less clear, but you’re not gaining anything by sharing them. Keeping grapes and raisins off the menu is the safest choice for both species.

4. Onions, garlic, and chives

These foods are part of the allium family. They can cause GI upset and damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Dogs should not be allowed to eat onions that are cooked, raw, or even powdered, and you should refrain from giving your dog any foods seasoned with onion salt.

Cats are particularly sensitive, but dogs are at risk too. A huge problem is how often these show up in everyday meals—onion and garlic powder are common in soups, sauces, seasoned meats, and takeout.

5. Alcohol is a danger to dogs

Alcohol is toxic to both cats and dogs. Even small amounts can cause dangerous neurologic and organ effects. This includes unattended drinks, alcohol-containing desserts, and any foods cooked with alcohol. If you suspect alcohol exposure, don’t wait to see what happens and get them help right away.

More human foods that are not for dogs

Beyond the top five, these are the categories that most often lead to urgent calls and late-night ER visits.

Macadamia nuts

These nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, and tremors in dogs. Cats are less likely to get into them, but they still shouldn’t be shared.

Bones can be dangerous to dogs

Cooked bones are another big one. They can splinter and lead to choking, dental fractures, intestinal injury, or obstruction. This risk applies to both cats and dogs, and can require emergency surgery.

High-fat leftovers

They might not seem dangerous, but they can trigger severe GI upset and raise concern for pancreatitis in pets. Greasy takeout, rich holiday foods, bacon, and fatty meat trimmings are the most common culprits.

Raw dough

Seems harmless but everyone should stay away from raw dough! For starters, dough can expand in a dog's stomach, causing dangerous complications, like intestinal blockage. Uncooked flour can have extremely dangerous bacteria in it such as E. coli. Dough that contains raw eggs can cause food poisoning from Salmonella. This leads to extreme symptoms like painful cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.

Salty foods

Extremely salty foods and snacks can cause significant illness depending on the amount eaten and your pet’s size. High sodium content in the bloodstream can cause hypernatremia, which is a salt toxicity that can cause dehydration and rob brain cells of water. The water in brain cells help transmit neurological functions. Dehydration can lead to neurological issues like seizures and even death.

While it can be hard to memorize every food, if you avoid the top five and treat bones, fat, salt, and raw dough as major red flags, you’re already protecting your pet from the most common real-world risks.

Signs your pet is having a reaction to food

Not every exposure causes immediate symptoms. If you’re seeing any of the signs below after a possible food incident, call an emergency hospital:

• Vomiting or diarrhea, with or without blood

• Excessive drooling

• Tremors, weakness, or wobbliness

• Excessive restlessness

• Lethargy

• Seizures

If you know your pet ate something on the avoid list, it’s best to not wait for symptoms and call your local VEG immediately.

Human foods that are generally safe for dogs (in small amounts)

This isn’t a green light to share your dinner! Think of this as a short “if you’re going to share, keep it boring” list.

• Plain cooked chicken or turkey

• Cooked eggs

• Cooked fish like salmon

• Plain pumpkin

• Some vegetables (read on...)

  
  

These are usually the safest choices for a tiny treat. Dogs may also do well with small amounts of carrots or green beans, but it’s smart to start small and see how they handle it.

Plain pumpkin can be okay in small amounts for some pets. Just be sure to skip anything sweetened or spiced. With dairy, less is more. Some dogs can handle a small bite of cheese, while many cats can’t. If you offer any, keep it tiny and infrequent. If a new food causes vomiting or diarrhea, it’s best to avoid it.

What to do if your dog eats something unsafe

When it comes to food toxicity, acting early can make all the difference. These steps can help:

1. First, remove any remaining food so your pet can’t eat more.

2. Try to estimate how much was eaten and when.

3. Save the packaging or take a quick photo of the ingredient list, then call your emergency vet hospital right away.

4. Make sure to avoid home treatments unless a veterinary professional instructs you on exactly what to do.

Head to the emergency vet - VEG is open 24 hours every day

If your pet eats any of the mentioned toxic foods, call immediately and be prepared to come in. Some toxins cause rapid decline, while others can do damage before obvious symptoms show up. If you’re unsure whether an exposure is dangerous, that’s a reason to call.

At VEG, you can walk in 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. You’ll get answers, a clear plan, and a team ready to start treatment if your pet needs it.

The takeaway about safe and unsafe foods for dogs

Most food accidents don’t happen because you weren’t careful. They happen because life is normal and your pet is fast. Make sure to keep the five high-risk foods out of reach, be picky about what you share, and don’t wait if something feels off. If your pet eats a risky human food, come in. You’ll get answers, a plan, and a team ready to help right away!