Food toxicities in dogs and cats
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxin, call the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 or your local vet (e.g. 0433 533 037).
🐾 Human Foods That Can Hurt Your Pets (and What to Do About It)
We all love to spoil our pets — those puppy-dog eyes and purrs make it impossible to resist. But before you slide them the last bite of your toast or let them lick the dessert bowl, it’s worth knowing: some “people foods” are healthy and highly recommended, and some are dangerous. Let’s navigate this…
Here’s a guide to the top offenders — told in plain English, so you can keep tails wagging and whiskers twitching safely.
🍫 Chocolate: A Bittersweet Danger
Yes, chocolate is basically doggie kryptonite. It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which dogs (and cats) metabolize painfully slowly. Even a few bites can send levels soaring to toxic heights.
Signs of trouble: vomiting, diarrhoea, panting, hyperactivity, excessive urination — and in severe cases, muscle tremors or seizures.
Rule of paw:
Dark & baking chocolate = most dangerous (tiny amounts can be toxic).
Milk chocolate = still risky, just takes a bit more.
White chocolate = very low in theobromine.
What to do: If your pet eats chocolate, use an online calculator (like MSD Vet Manual’s Chocolate Toxicity Calculator) to get a quick risk check — then call your vet immediately. Early treatment (inducing vomiting, charcoal, fluids, meds) can be life-saving.
🍇 Grapes, Raisins & Currants: The Mysterious Kidney Killer
This one’s a head-scratcher: we still don’t know why grapes are toxic, or why some dogs seem unaffected — but we do know they can cause sudden kidney failure. And kidney failure is not a fun time.
Early red flags (within 24 hrs): vomiting, no appetite, lethargy, diarrhoea.
Rule of paw: Treat any ingestion like an emergency. Don’t “wait and see” — get to your vet. Fast action (vomiting, charcoal, fluids) can protect the kidneys.
🥑 Avocado: The Persin Problem
Avocados contain persin, a natural fungicide that can cause tummy upsets in dogs and cats — and much worse for birds and some livestock. Most pets would need to eat a fair bit to get really sick, but why risk it?
Rule of paw: Keep the guac for yourself. The occasional sneaky lick probably won’t kill them, but don’t make it a habit.
🧄 Onion & Garlic: The Slow Burn
The entire allium family (onion, garlic, leeks, chives) is bad news for pets — raw, cooked, powdered, or dried. They contain compounds that can destroy red blood cells, leading to life-threatening anaemia. Cats are even more sensitive than dogs.
Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhoea, pale gums, weakness, collapse — sometimes days after the meal.
Rule of paw: Skip the onion rings, garlic bread, and baby food containing onion powder. If your pet eats any of these, call your vet right away.
🍬 Xylitol: The Sweetener with a Dark Side
Xylitol (aka birch sugar) is in sugar-free gum, toothpaste, peanut butter, mints, protein bars, and more. In dogs, it causes a sudden insulin release — which can trigger a dangerous blood sugar crash in 30 minutes flat.
Signs: weakness, wobbly walking, collapse, seizures — plus possible liver damage later.
Rule of paw: Always check ingredient lists before sharing peanut butter or “sugar-free” treats. If your dog ingests xylitol, it’s an immediate vet trip.
🎯 Bottom Line
Share carefully: Plain, unseasoned meat or veg is fine is great.
Avoid the red-list foods above — and when in doubt, look it up before sharing.
Act fast: The sooner you call your vet, the better the outcome.
For more lifesaving info, bookmark the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline — they’re a free, vet-run service that can guide you 24/7.
