Toxic Foods for Pets Checker (Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Birds)

Can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. The suspected toxin is tartaric acid, and the amount varies from fruit to fruit, so there is no known safe amount.

Signs: Vomiting or diarrhoea within 6–12 hours, then lethargy, not eating and less urine; kidney failure within 1–3 days.

Merck’s rough guide is that more than one grape or raisin per 4.5 kg (10 lb) may be risky, but treat any amount as an emergency. Only one cat case has been reported. True currants of the genus Ribes (blackcurrants) have not been linked to kidney injury.

Sources: Merck: grape and raisin toxicosis · Merck Vet Manual: food hazards · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Cats are the most sensitive, then dogs. Powders, dried flakes and soup mixes are the most concentrated, and garlic is 3–5 times stronger than onion.

Signs: Stomach upset at first; weakness, pale or yellow gums, red urine and collapse several days later.

Merck: poisoning reported in cats after less than a teaspoon of cooked onion or about 5 g/kg of raw onion, and in dogs after 15–30 g/kg of raw onion.

Sources: Merck: garlic and onion toxicosis · ASPCA plant list: onion · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Theobromine and caffeine overstimulate the heart and nervous system. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous; cocoa powder and baking chocolate are the worst, white chocolate the least.

Signs: Thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, racing heart, tremors and seizures, usually within 6–12 hours and lasting up to 3 days.

Work out the dose with the chocolate toxicity calculator. Cocoa bean mulch in gardens has killed dogs.

Sources: Merck: chocolate toxicosis · Merck Vet Manual: food hazards · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Caffeine is a methylxanthine like the theobromine in chocolate and has the same effects. Grounds, beans, tea bags and tablets are concentrated.

Signs: Restlessness, panting, vomiting, racing or irregular heartbeat, tremors and seizures.

The ASPCA lists caffeine among foods to keep from all pets.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

In dogs xylitol triggers an insulin surge and a fast drop in blood sugar; larger doses can cause liver failure.

Signs: Vomiting, weakness, wobbling and seizures from 30 minutes (up to 12–18 hours with gum); liver damage may show after 1–2 days.

Calculate the dose with the xylitol toxicity calculator. Merck says cats are not at risk of the dog-type poisoning; the ASPCA still advises keeping it from all pets.

Sources: Merck: xylitol toxicosis in dogs · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Cause weakness (often in the back legs), wobbling, tremors and fever in dogs — the only species with reported illness.

Signs: Within about 12 hours; most dogs recover within 1–2 days with care.

Cookies and chocolate-coated nuts add other risks.

Sources: Merck: macadamia nut toxicosis · Merck Vet Manual: food hazards · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Rich in fat and oil: can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and possibly pancreatitis.

Signs: Stomach upset within hours; pancreatitis causes belly pain and repeated vomiting.

Whole nuts can also block the gut in small dogs.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Contains persin, which damages the heart in birds and rabbits; caged birds are especially sensitive. All parts are toxic and the leaves are the most toxic.

Signs: Birds: breathing difficulty, fluffed feathers, swelling, death within 1–2 days. Rabbits: breathing problems and heart damage.

Merck reports budgerigars becoming ill after about 1 g of avocado. The ASPCA plant list does not list avocado as toxic to dogs or cats, but the stone can block the gut.

Sources: Merck: avocado toxicosis · Merck Vet Manual: food hazards · ASPCA: people foods to avoid · ASPCA plant list: avocado

Small animals are poisoned by small amounts: alcohol depresses the nervous system and lowers blood sugar and temperature.

Signs: Vomiting, wobbling, slow breathing, tremors, coma; can be fatal.

Includes alcohol in desserts and fermenting fruit.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Keeps rising in the warm stomach, causing painful bloating that can twist the stomach, and the fermenting yeast makes alcohol.

Signs: Retching without bringing anything up, swollen belly, wobbling, weakness, collapse.

Most cases are in dogs, but the ASPCA lists it for all pets. Home vomiting rarely works — see a vet.

Sources: Merck Vet Manual: food hazards · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Too much salt draws water out of cells and disturbs blood sodium. Homemade salt dough and play dough, rock salt and swallowed sea water are common causes in dogs.

Signs: Vomiting first, then thirst, diarrhoea, wobbling, tremors and seizures.

Merck: in dogs signs can start after 2–3 g of salt per kg and about 4 g/kg can be fatal. Use the dog salt calculator below.

Sources: Merck: salt toxicosis · ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Cause a dangerously high body temperature in dogs, the only species with reported cases.

Signs: Panting, very high temperature, fast heart rate, vomiting and agitation.

Spent hops from home brewing are attractive to dogs. Cooling and urgent vet care are vital.

Sources: Merck: hops (herbal supplements)

Most pets have little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar.

Signs: Diarrhoea and stomach upset.

Fatty or sweetened dairy (ice cream, cream) adds more risk; sugar-free versions may contain xylitol.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Raw meat and eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli (a risk to people too); raw egg white can interfere with a vitamin; bones can splinter, injure or block the gut.

Signs: Vomiting, diarrhoea, straining, a painful belly; blockages may need surgery.

The ASPCA advises against bones for dogs and cats.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Stems, leaves, peel and seeds contain citric acid and oils that can irritate, and in large amounts depress the nervous system.

Signs: Small amounts of the fruit usually cause only a mild stomach upset.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Small amounts are unlikely to cause serious harm, but the flesh and milk can upset the stomach.

Signs: Loose stools and diarrhoea.

Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid

Stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide, especially as they wilt. Stones can also block the gut.

Signs: Bright red gums, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.

The ASPCA plant list names apple, cherry, peach, apricot and plum as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Remove the stones, pips and stems before sharing any fruit.

Sources: ASPCA plant list: apple · ASPCA plant list: cherry · ASPCA plant list: peach

Leaves, stems and unripe fruit contain solanine.

Signs: Drooling, not eating, severe stomach upset, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate.

The ASPCA notes that ripe tomato fruit is non-toxic.

Sources: ASPCA plant list: tomato plant

Contain soluble calcium oxalates.

Signs: Drooling, tremors and kidney failure.

Sources: ASPCA plant list: rhubarb

In cats, true lilies (Lilium) and day lilies (Hemerocallis) cause kidney failure. Every part is dangerous; a few petals or leaves, or pollen licked off the fur, can be enough.

Signs: Vomiting, not eating and lethargy, then kidney failure within a few days without treatment.

The ASPCA lists cats as the only species known to be affected. Peace lilies and calla lilies are different plants that irritate the mouth. Treatment is most successful if started early.

Sources: ASPCA plant list: Easter lily

Contains cycasin, which destroys the liver; the seeds are the most toxic part.

Signs: Vomiting, black or bloody stools, yellow gums, bruising, liver failure; often fatal.

Common as a house and garden plant in warm countries.

Sources: ASPCA plant list: sago palm