⚠️ 6 Toxic Foods Your Pets Should Never Eat (And Safe Alternatives)

As responsible pet parents, we want nothing more than to keep our dogs and cats happy, healthy, and safe. But did you know some everyday human foods can be extremely dangerous and even deadly to pets?

This guide walks you through six common foods that are dangerous to pets, how to recognize poisoning symptoms, and safe, vet-approved treat options available in our Pet Treats Collection.

1. 🍫 Chocolate

Toxic to: Dogs & Cats
Keyword: chocolate poisoning in dogs

Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that dogs and cats can’t process. Even a small piece can cause vomiting, seizures, or worse.

Especially dangerous types:

• Dark chocolate
• Baking chocolate
• Cocoa powder

🛑 Keep all chocolate products locked away, especially during holidays.

2. 🍇 Grapes and Raisins

Toxic to: Dogs
Keyword: grapes toxic to dogs

Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Even a single grape can be fatal for some breeds.

Symptoms of grape poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite

It's best to avoid grapes in any form — raw, dried, or in baked goods.

✅ Better treat: Check out our fruit-based dog chews.

3. 🧄 Onions and Garlic

Toxic to: Dogs & Cats
Keyword: onion toxicity in pets

These common kitchen staples can damage your pet’s red blood cells, causing anemia.

All forms are dangerous:

• Raw
• Cooked
• Powdered
• Dehydrated (like in soups or sauces)

🚫 Important: Onion and garlic powders are common in baby food and prepackaged snacks.

4. 🍬 Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)

Toxic to: Dogs
Keyword: xylitol toxicity in dogs

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in:

• Sugar-free gum
• Baked goods
• Peanut butter
• Dental care products

In dogs, even tiny amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure.

🚫 Never share sugar-free products with pets.

5. 🍷 Alcohol

Toxic to: Dogs & Cats
Keyword: alcohol toxicity in pets

Pets are highly sensitive to alcohol — even small amounts in foods or drinks can cause disorientation, vomiting, coma, or death.

Watch out for:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Yeast dough (ferments in the stomach)
• Sauces and desserts with alcohol

🧠 Fun fact: Pets have no "safe limit" for alcohol consumption — any exposure is dangerous.

6. 🍗 Cooked Bones

Toxic to: Dogs & Cats
Keyword: are cooked bones safe for dogs

Cooked bones — especially chicken, turkey, or pork — become brittle and can splinter, leading to:

• Internal injuries
• Blockages
• Choking hazards

Raw bones may be safer but should still be given under supervision.

🐾 🐾 Instead of bones:
Choose one of our long-lasting dental chews for dogs or freeze-dried chicken bites — both satisfy the natural chewing instinct without any health risks.

✍️ Want more helpful pet care tips?

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