☠️ Poisonous Foods & Plants for Dogs
A comprehensive UK guide to the foods, drinks, plants, and household substances that are toxic to dogs — what to avoid, what to watch for, and what to do in an emergency
🚨 If Your Dog Has Eaten Something Toxic
Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Contact your vet immediately or call the emergency out-of-hours number. If you can, tell them what your dog ate, how much, and when.
Animal Poison Line: 01202 509000
(24-hour service, charges apply — run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service)
Do NOT try to make your dog vomit unless specifically instructed by a vet. Some substances cause more damage on the way back up.
📊 Severity Guide
Toxicity varies hugely depending on the substance, the amount consumed, and the size of your dog. A grape that makes a Labrador mildly unwell could kill a Chihuahua. The ratings below indicate the general level of risk, but any suspected poisoning should be treated as an emergency.
🍫 Toxic Foods
Many common human foods are dangerous to dogs. This isn't a complete list of every food a dog shouldn't eat — it covers the ones most likely to cause serious harm.
🍫 Chocolate
Contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolise far more slowly than humans. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous — as little as 3.5g of dark chocolate per kilogram of body weight can be fatal. Milk chocolate is less concentrated but still toxic in quantity. White chocolate contains very little theobromine but is still not safe due to fat and sugar content.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures. Onset typically 2-12 hours after ingestion.
🍬 Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Sweetener)
An artificial sweetener found in sugar-free chewing gum, sweets, peanut butter (some brands), toothpaste, mouthwash, and baked goods. Extremely toxic to dogs — even tiny amounts can cause a catastrophic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) within 30 minutes and liver failure within 72 hours. This is one of the most dangerous substances a dog can ingest.
Symptoms: Vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizures, coma. Can be fatal within hours.
🧅 Onions, Garlic, Leeks & Chives (Allium Family)
All members of the allium family are toxic to dogs, whether raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated. They contain compounds that destroy red blood cells, causing a condition called haemolytic anaemia. Garlic is approximately five times more toxic than onions by weight. The danger is cumulative — small amounts over several days can be as dangerous as a single large dose.
Symptoms: May be delayed 3-5 days. Lethargy, pale gums, dark-coloured urine, weakness, rapid breathing, collapse.
🍇 Grapes & Raisins (including Sultanas & Currants)
The exact toxic compound in grapes has only recently been identified (tartaric acid is the leading suspect), but what's clear is that even a small number of grapes or raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Some dogs eat grapes without apparent harm while others become critically ill from just a few — there's no way to predict which dogs are susceptible. Treat all grape ingestion as an emergency.
Symptoms: Vomiting within hours, then lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, reduced urination, kidney failure within 24-72 hours.
🥜 Macadamia Nuts
The specific toxin is unknown, but macadamia nuts cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. While rarely fatal on their own, they often appear in chocolate-coated products which compounds the danger significantly.
Symptoms: Weakness (especially hind legs), vomiting, tremors, elevated body temperature. Onset 6-12 hours, usually resolves within 48 hours with treatment.
🥑 Avocado
Contains persin, a fungicidal toxin present in the flesh, skin, stone, and leaves. The stone is also a serious choking and intestinal blockage hazard. While the flesh is less toxic than other parts, it's high in fat which can trigger pancreatitis in dogs.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain. Large amounts or the stone itself can cause obstruction requiring surgery.
🍺 Alcohol
Dogs are far more sensitive to alcohol than humans. Beer, wine, spirits, and any food containing alcohol (rum cake, wine gums, fermented fruit) can cause poisoning. Dogs can also be exposed to alcohol through fermenting bread dough (raw yeast dough) which produces ethanol in the stomach.
Symptoms: Vomiting, disorientation, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma. Even small amounts can be dangerous for small breeds.
☕ Caffeine
Found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola, and caffeine tablets. Contains methylxanthines (similar to theobromine in chocolate). A single caffeine tablet or a cup of strong coffee can be dangerous for a small dog.
Symptoms: Restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, seizures.
🍞 Raw Yeast Dough
Unbaked bread dough containing yeast is doubly dangerous. The dough expands in the warm, moist environment of the dog's stomach, potentially causing a life-threatening bloat or gastric torsion. As the yeast ferments, it produces ethanol (alcohol), causing alcohol poisoning on top of the physical obstruction.
Symptoms: Bloated abdomen, unproductive retching, weakness, disorientation, collapse.
🥛 Milk & Dairy (in large quantities)
Most adult dogs are lactose intolerant to some degree. Small amounts of cheese or yoghurt are usually fine, but large quantities of milk, cream, or ice cream can cause significant digestive upset. Some dogs are more sensitive than others.
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, vomiting, gas, abdominal discomfort.
🌰 Walnuts & Pecans
Can harbour a mould (Aspergillus) that produces tremorgenic mycotoxins. Black walnuts are particularly dangerous. The high fat content can also trigger pancreatitis. While not as immediately dangerous as macadamia nuts, they should be avoided.
Symptoms: Vomiting, tremors, seizures (if mouldy). Pancreatitis symptoms if large quantities of fat consumed.
🦴 Cooked Bones
Cooked bones (especially chicken, turkey, and pork) become brittle and splinter into sharp fragments that can puncture the oesophagus, stomach, or intestines. Cooked bones are one of the most common causes of emergency surgery in dogs in the UK. Raw bones are generally safer but still carry risks.
Symptoms: Choking, drooling, vomiting, bloody stool, constipation, abdominal pain, lethargy.
🧂 Salt (in excess)
Large amounts of salt — from crisps, salted nuts, soy sauce, rock salt (winter grit), or sea water — can cause sodium ion poisoning. Dogs that drink sea water at the beach are a common presentation at coastal veterinary practices in summer.
Symptoms: Excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, seizures. Can be fatal in extreme cases.
🌽 Corn on the Cob
The corn itself isn't toxic, but the cob is a perfect size and shape to cause an intestinal blockage. Dogs often swallow chunks of cob whole, and because cob doesn't break down in the digestive system, it frequently requires surgical removal. One of the most common summertime dog emergencies in the UK.
Symptoms: Vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, lethargy.
🍋 Citrus Fruits
The flesh of oranges and satsumas in small amounts is generally okay, but the peel, pith, and seeds contain citric acid and essential oils that can cause irritation. Lemons, limes, and grapefruit are more problematic. Most dogs don't like the taste anyway.
Symptoms: Stomach upset, drooling, possible skin irritation from the oils.
🥥 Coconut & Coconut Oil
Small amounts are generally safe and some owners use coconut oil as a supplement. However, the high fat content can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis in large quantities. Coconut water is high in potassium and should be avoided.
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, upset stomach if consumed in excess.
🌿 Toxic Plants
Many common garden and house plants are toxic to dogs. This section covers the plants most commonly found in UK homes and gardens that pose a genuine risk. If your dog is a chewer, be particularly vigilant.
Garden Plants
🌸 Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Every part of this plant is highly toxic — flowers, leaves, stems, and berries. Contains cardiac glycosides that affect the heart. Common in UK gardens and often found in spring bouquets. Even water from a vase containing lily of the valley can be dangerous.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, collapse.
🌳 Yew (Taxus baccata)
Extremely common in UK churchyards, gardens, and hedgerows. Almost every part of the yew tree is lethal — bark, leaves, and seeds. The red berries are the only part that isn't directly toxic, but the seeds inside them are deadly. Dogs can die within hours of ingestion. There is no antidote.
Symptoms: Trembling, difficulty breathing, collapse, cardiac arrest. Death can occur before symptoms are even noticed.
🌺 Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Not to be confused with the spring crocus (which causes only mild upset). Autumn crocus contains colchicine, a potent toxin that affects multiple organs. All parts are dangerous, and even small amounts can be fatal. Commonly found in UK gardens blooming in September-November.
Symptoms: Severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, drooling, difficulty breathing, organ failure. Symptoms may be delayed 2-3 days.
🌿 Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
A common UK wildflower and garden plant. Contains digitalis compounds that directly affect the heart. All parts are toxic — flowers, leaves, seeds, and stems. Even dried foxglove retains its toxicity. A native British plant that dogs may encounter on rural walks.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rate, tremors, seizures, cardiac arrest.
🌷 Daffodils (Narcissus)
The UK's favourite spring flower is toxic to dogs, particularly the bulb. Dogs that dig up and chew daffodil bulbs are at the highest risk, but the flowers, stems, and leaves also contain toxic alkaloids (lycorine). A very common poisoning case in UK veterinary practices every spring.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, abdominal pain, tremors, cardiac arrhythmia in severe cases.
🌷 Tulips
The bulb is the most toxic part, containing tulipalin A and B. Dogs that dig in gardens are most at risk. The flowers and leaves cause milder symptoms. Particularly dangerous in spring when bulbs are being planted or are newly emerging.
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing.
🌿 Rhododendron & Azalea
Extremely common in UK gardens and parks. All parts contain grayanotoxins which affect the skeletal and cardiac muscles and the nervous system. Even chewing a few leaves can cause serious illness. Honey made from rhododendron nectar is also toxic (rare but documented).
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of coordination, abnormal heart rate, coma.
🌿 Laburnum (Golden Chain Tree)
A common ornamental tree in UK gardens with distinctive hanging yellow flowers. All parts are toxic, but the seeds (in bean-like pods) are the most dangerous. Children and dogs are most at risk as the seeds can be mistaken for peas or chew toys.
Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, tremors, incoordination, seizures, coma.
🌿 Ivy (Hedera helix)
Common English ivy, found on walls, fences, and trees across the UK. The leaves and berries contain saponins which cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract. While rarely fatal, ingestion of large amounts can cause serious illness.
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain. Skin irritation from contact with sap.
🌺 Hydrangea
All parts contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release small amounts of cyanide when chewed. The flower buds and leaves are the most commonly eaten parts. While large quantities would need to be consumed to cause serious harm, any ingestion should be monitored.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression.
🍄 Wild Mushrooms & Toadstools
The UK has several species of wild mushroom that are toxic to dogs, including Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), and various others. The problem is identification — even experienced foragers can mistake toxic species for safe ones. If your dog eats a wild mushroom, assume it's toxic and see a vet immediately. If possible, take a photo or sample of the mushroom for identification.
Symptoms: Vary by species. Can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to liver failure, seizures, and death.
House Plants
🪴 Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Increasingly popular as a house plant and patio plant in the UK. Every part is toxic, but the seeds (nuts) are the most dangerous. Contains cycasin which causes severe liver damage. One of the most dangerous house plants for dogs — ingestion of even a small amount can be fatal.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, jaundice, seizures, liver failure. Can be fatal within 2-3 days.
🪴 Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
A common house plant whose leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals. When chewed, these microscopic crystals embed in the mouth, tongue, and throat causing intense pain and swelling. Can obstruct the airway in severe cases.
Symptoms: Immediate pain, pawing at mouth, drooling, swelling of mouth and tongue, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing.
🪴 Philodendron
Another popular house plant containing calcium oxalate crystals. All parts are toxic. The trailing varieties are particularly risky as leaves hang at dog height.
Symptoms: Oral pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
🪴 Aloe Vera
The gel inside the leaves is widely used in human skincare, but the outer leaf contains saponins and anthraquinones that are toxic to dogs. The bitter yellow latex just under the skin is the most dangerous part.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea (possibly bloody), lethargy, tremors.
🪴 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Contains calcium oxalate crystals similar to dieffenbachia, though generally less severe. Very common in UK homes and offices. The entire plant is toxic to dogs.
Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
🎄 Poinsettia
Often cited as highly toxic but actually less dangerous than commonly believed. The milky sap causes irritation to the mouth and stomach. While unpleasant, poinsettia poisoning is rarely serious. That said, keep it out of reach — it still causes illness.
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, mild diarrhoea, skin irritation from sap.
📅 Seasonal Hazards
Certain poisoning risks are more common at specific times of year. Here's what to watch for season by season:
🌸 Spring
- Daffodil and tulip bulbs — dogs dig them up as the soil softens
- Spring cleaning products — increased use of bleach, disinfectants, and detergents
- Slug and snail pellets — metaldehyde-based pellets are extremely toxic and taste attractive to dogs. Use pet-safe alternatives containing ferric phosphate
- Fertilisers — bone meal and blood meal fertilisers smell irresistible to dogs and can cause obstructions or poisoning
☀️ Summer
- Corn on the cob — barbecue season means discarded cobs in bins and on the ground
- Blue-green algae — toxic cyanobacteria in lakes, ponds, and standing water. Can kill a dog within hours. If the water looks green, scummy, or has a bad smell, keep your dog out
- Barbecue scraps — cooked bones, onions in burgers, chocolate brownies, alcohol
- Adder bites — the UK's only venomous snake is active in summer. Not a poison they eat, but a toxin nonetheless
- Sea water — dogs that drink sea water at the beach risk salt poisoning
🍂 Autumn
- Conkers (horse chestnuts) — contain aesculin, which is toxic. Also a choking and blockage hazard. Dogs love to pick them up on walks
- Acorns — contain tannins that can cause kidney damage in large quantities. Dogs that eat multiple acorns on walks are at risk
- Wild mushrooms — autumn is peak mushroom season. Several UK species are highly toxic
- Autumn crocus — blooms in September-November, highly toxic
- Fallen fruit — fermenting apples and pears on the ground can cause alcohol poisoning
❄️ Winter
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) — tastes sweet and is incredibly toxic. Even a few licks from a puddle can cause fatal kidney failure. Switch to pet-safe propylene glycol antifreeze. This is one of the most common fatal poisonings in UK dogs
- Rock salt (road grit) — irritates paws and is toxic if ingested. Wash your dog's paws after winter walks
- Christmas foods — chocolate, mince pies (raisins), Christmas cake (raisins and alcohol), Christmas pudding, macadamia nuts, onion stuffing
- Poinsettia and mistletoe — common Christmas plants that are toxic
- Batteries — from new Christmas toys and devices. Contain acids or alkalis that cause severe chemical burns if chewed
🧪 Household Substances
Your home contains numerous substances that are dangerous to dogs. These aren't foods or plants — they're everyday products that dogs can access if left within reach.
Antifreeze
Ethylene glycol. Sweet taste. Fatal kidney damage from tiny amounts. The number one household poison killer of UK dogs.
Rat & Mouse Poison
Rodenticides cause internal bleeding (warfarin type) or brain swelling (bromethalin type). Dogs can also be poisoned by eating a poisoned rodent.
Human Medications
Ibuprofen, paracetamol, antidepressants, and ADHD medications are all dangerous. A single ibuprofen tablet can cause kidney failure in a small dog. Paracetamol is less toxic to dogs than cats but still dangerous.
Slug & Snail Pellets
Metaldehyde pellets cause rapid, severe neurological symptoms. The blue/green pellets are attractive to dogs. Switch to ferric phosphate alternatives.
Bleach & Cleaning Products
Cause chemical burns to mouth, throat, and stomach. Keep all cleaning products in closed cupboards. Floor cleaners can irritate paws — rinse after use.
Essential Oils
Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, and citrus oils are all toxic to dogs. Diffusers can also cause respiratory irritation. Be cautious with oil diffusers in rooms your dog uses.
✅ Safe Foods for Dogs
It's not all bad news. Many human foods are perfectly safe — and even beneficial — for dogs in moderation:
🏥 What To Do If Your Dog Is Poisoned
Immediate Steps
- Stay calm. Your dog needs you thinking clearly
- Remove the source. Take the toxic substance away from your dog (and any other pets). If it's a plant, move the dog away from it
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a vet. Some substances (bleach, sharp objects, petroleum products) cause more damage coming back up
- Collect information. If possible, identify what was eaten, how much, and when. Take photos. Keep packaging. Bring a sample of the plant if relevant
- Call your vet immediately. Or call the Animal Poison Line on 01202 509000 (24 hours, charges apply). They will advise whether your dog needs emergency treatment
- Follow veterinary instructions exactly. If they say come in, go immediately. If they say monitor at home, watch for the specific symptoms they describe
What the Vet May Do
- Induced vomiting — if the substance was ingested recently (usually within 2 hours) and it's safe to bring it back up
- Activated charcoal — absorbs toxins in the stomach before they enter the bloodstream
- IV fluids — to support the kidneys and flush toxins from the system
- Specific antidotes — available for some poisons (e.g. vitamin K for rat poison, ethanol for antifreeze)
- Supportive care — anti-nausea medication, pain relief, monitoring of organ function
📋 Quick Reference: Can My Dog Eat This?
A fast-reference list of common foods people ask about:
❌ Never
- Chocolate
- Grapes / raisins / sultanas / currants
- Onions / garlic / leeks / chives
- Xylitol (sweetener)
- Macadamia nuts
- Alcohol
- Coffee / caffeine
- Raw yeast dough
- Cooked bones
- Avocado
✅ Safe in Moderation
- Carrots
- Apples (no seeds)
- Blueberries
- Plain cooked chicken
- Plain rice
- Banana
- Green beans
- Watermelon (no seeds)
- Sweet potato (cooked)
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free)