Keep These Foods Away From Your Pup (and What To Share Instead)

The holiday weekend and the start of the summer is fast approaching, which means time for barbecues and meeting up with friends and family outside.

Whether you have a dog, or find a new furry friend at your next gathering, it’s important to know what foods are unsafe for dogs, and what you can offer them instead (with their owner’s permission, of course!)

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Foods to Keep Away From Dogs

These foods should be kept away from dogs at all times. If your dog ingests one of these items, call a vet (or use an online service for more help):

• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Avocados and guacamole: avocados contain persin which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs
• Onions, garlics and leeks: all plants in the allium family are poisonous to dogs and can cause anemia
• Cooked bones (such as chicken wings): the bones can splinter and injure the dog
• Drinks with caffeine including coffee and tea
• Alcohol
• Xylitol: sugar substitute found in some candy and gum
• Nutmeg
• Cherry pits, and pits of other stone fruit like plums and peaches: the pits contain cyanide. Apple seeds also contain cyanide.
• Lemons and limes: the skin is poisonous to dogs
• Raw yeast dough

If your dog has ingested one of these foods, call your vet, or use an online service such as JustAnswer, which lets you chat online with a veterinarian 24/7.

Foods That Are Okay To Share

Assuming you have the permission of the dog owner to give them a treat (never give someone else’s dog food without asking!), here’s what is safe for sharing:

• Safe vegetables: broccoli, carrots, celery, corn, cucumbers, green peas, cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Fruits that are safe: apples (with core and seeds removed), bananas, blueberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, coconut, mango, oranges, strawberries, watermelon
• Safe meats and proteins: chicken (cooked, boneless), eggs, eggs, lean beef, peanut butter, plain turkey, salmon (cooked, boneless)
• Other: oatmeal, rice, yogurt

Foods That Are Okay to Share, But Only In Moderation

Some foods are okay for dogs to eat but in smaller amounts, because of the high fat, sugar, or salt content:

• Bread
• Cinnamon
• Dairy such as cheese, cottage cheese, or milk (although many dogs are lactose intolerant, so watch out!)
• Fatty nuts like peanuts, unsalted cashews, and almonds
• Honey
• Tomatoes
• Tuna

Be sure to watch out for any choking hazards, and keep plates and glasses out of the dog’s reach. Also be aware that different dogs will react to food in different ways. If you are unsure, consult your vet, or use a 24/7 online veterinarian chat service like JustAnswer.