5 Surprising Things Dogs Can't Eat

We talked to pros to find out what human foods your doggo shouldn’t eat.
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mopey looking dog with dish of food

Bacon

Threat Level: Harmful

Fido may love bacon-flavored treats, but skip the real thing. “Bacon can cause big problems for dogs,” says John de Jong, a veterinarian and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. That can range from bad digestive issues to pancreatitis in more extreme cases.

Ice Cream

Threat Level: Harmful

As cute as it seems, don’t share your ice cream cone with your pup, says Lisa Freeman, Ph.D., a professor of clinical nutrition at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine 
in North Grafton, Massachusetts. While a few licks may not cause a problem, any more than that is likely to bother a dog with a sensitive stomach.

Avocados

Threat Level: Harmful

Keep your oh-so-trendy avocado toast for yourself. “Avocados contain a toxin called persin,” says de Jong. It’s likely the worst that can happen is vomiting or diarrhea, but why put your fur baby through that?

Grapes & Raisins

Threat Level: Toxic

Experts don’t know what makes grapes and raisins so bad for dogs, but some research shows that even a few of either can lead to kidney failure. If your dog gets into them, call the vet ASAP, says Freeman.

Onions

Threat Level: Toxic

They may flavor your food, but onions are dangerous for your pup (and even worse for your cat!). Certain compounds in the vegetable can damage the red blood cells in dogs.