Reliable guidance for dog food safety

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Darker and baking chocolate are more dangerous per gram. Any ingestion should be treated as urgent.

Coffee, espresso, tea, and caffeine pills can cause restlessness, a fast heart rate, tremors, and seizures. Grounds and beans are concentrated sources.

Garlic is a more concentrated allium than onion and can cause the same red-blood-cell damage. Powder, salt blends, and cooked leftovers are included.

Grapes are associated with acute kidney injury in dogs. There is no established safe dose. Treat any amount as an emergency and call a veterinarian.

Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. Any amount is a reason to call a veterinarian.

Onions damage red blood cells and can cause hemolytic anemia. Raw, cooked, powdered, and leftover-dish forms all count. No household serving is considered safe.

Raisins are dried grapes and carry the same kidney-injury risk. Currants and sultanas belong in the same group.

Xylitol (birch sugar) can cause a rapid insulin release, life-threatening hypoglycemia, and liver failure in dogs. It appears in sugar-free gum, some peanut butters, toothpaste, and baked goods.