When I adopted Max, I thought it would be easy — just feed him kibble, toss in a treat here and there, and done.
But I quickly realized that he had his eyes on everything I ate. Seriously, all I had to do was peel a piece of fruit or open the fridge and there he was, giving me those “just a little bite” eyes.
That’s when I started digging into canine nutrition. And wow… I was shocked!
There are a lot of everyday foods that seem harmless but are actually super dangerous for dogs. And the worst part? A lot of people have no idea.
So, I decided to share a list of 10 common foods you should NEVER give your dog, no matter how cute their begging face is.
1. Chocolate
The classic danger. I used to think it was only bad in large amounts, but the truth is, any amount of chocolate can harm your dog because of the theobromine.
Max never ate any, but once he almost grabbed a bonbon from the couch — gave me a heart attack!
2. Grapes and raisins
This one really surprised me. I LOVE grapes and once left a bowl on the table. When I came back, Max was inches away from eating one.
Grapes (and raisins) can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts.
3. Onion and garlic
Raw, cooked, or powdered — these everyday seasonings are highly toxic for dogs.
They can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Since learning this, I’m extra careful with even the tiniest crumbs.
4. Avocado
Some people think it’s healthy because it’s natural, but avocado contains a substance called persin, which can cause digestive problems and even poisoning in dogs.
5. Caffeine
Coffee, tea, sodas… anything with caffeine affects a dog’s nervous system.
Max once licked the bottom of a coffee mug I left out, and he was restless for hours. Lesson learned.
6. Alcohol
This should be obvious, but some people think it’s funny to let dogs lick beer or wine. Don’t do it!
Alcohol can depress their central nervous system, cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma. It’s a total no-go.
7. Raw dough (with yeast)
Yeast keeps fermenting in the stomach and can lead to dangerous bloating and ethanol poisoning.
Don’t leave raw dough unattended!
8. Candy and gum with xylitol
Xylitol is a common sweetener in sugar-free products and can cause a dramatic drop in blood sugar and even be fatal for dogs.
Just thinking of Max getting into that terrifies me.
9. Cooked bones
So many people still think giving a dog a bone is a good idea, but cooked bones can splinter and injure their throat or intestines.
Around here, it’s only safe, dog-specific chews for Max!
10. Milk and dairy
Not all dogs are lactose intolerant, but many are. Max had a terrible stomach ache after drinking just a bit of milk.
Now, cheese and yogurt only show up if it’s specially made for dogs.
Better safe than sorry
Having a dog is amazing, but it takes care and attention. I’ve learned that firsthand with Max — sometimes the hard way.
These days, I’m super careful about what he can reach and always check ingredients before giving him anything new.
So here’s my tip: don’t trust that “harmless” food — it might be a silent threat for your pup. And when in doubt, ask your vet.
Because in the end, we just want our furry companions to be healthy and happy for many years to come.