What foods are toxic to dogs?

Common toxic foods for dogs include grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, avocado, alcohol, coffee/caffeine, raw yeast dough, and moldy food. Our toxic checker instantly identifies 200+ items with severity ratings and symptoms.

What should I do if my dog ate something toxic?

If your dog has ingested a toxic substance, contact ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately. Time is critical. Have the food/plant name and approximate amount consumed ready.

What plants are toxic to cats?

The most dangerous plants for cats include True Lilies (Lilium/Hemerocallis — even pollen causes fatal kidney failure), Sago Palm, Azalea/Rhododendron, Oleander, Autumn Crocus, Cyclamen, Daffodil/Tulip bulbs, Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane), English Ivy, and Pothos/Devil's Ivy. Lilies are the #1 danger — all parts are toxic, including pollen groomed from fur and water from a vase. Treatment must begin within 6 hours for survival. Other common toxic plants include Aloe Vera, Peace Lily, Snake Plant, and Philodendron. Use our toxic checker to search any plant name for instant results.

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Toxic Food & Plant Checker

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Key Knowledge

Why Some Foods Are Toxic to Pets

Dogs and cats lack key metabolic enzymes. Chocolate's theobromine, onions' allium compounds, and grapes are harmless to humans but deadly to pets. Dogs and cats metabolize substances differently from humans. Dogs lack enzymes to break down theobromine (in chocolate) and allium compounds (onions/garlic). Cats lack glucuronyl transferase, making them unable to process many plant toxins and drugs. Even a small amount of a human-safe food can cause organ failure in pets. The ASPCA Poison Control Center handles over 400,000 cases annually.

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control

Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs

Lilies are the most dangerous — even pollen causes acute kidney failure in cats within 24-72 hours. Over 700 plants are known toxic to pets. Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are the most dangerous — even pollen or vase water can cause acute kidney failure in cats within 24-72 hours. Other common toxic plants: Sago palm (liver failure), tulips/narcissus bulbs (cardiac arrhythmias), azaleas (cardiovascular collapse), and aloe vera (vomiting/diarrhea). Over 700 plants are known to be toxic to pets.

Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List

What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet. Call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately with the item, amount, time, and weight. (1) Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet — some substances cause more damage coming back up. (2) Call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately. (3) Have the packaging, estimated amount eaten, time of ingestion, and your pet's weight ready. (4) Bring your pet to the nearest emergency vet — do not wait for symptoms.

Source: AVMA Emergency Toxicology

Human Foods That Are Safe for Pets

Many human foods are safe: carrots, blueberries, plain pumpkin, cooked chicken, green beans, watermelon (seedless). Treats ≤10% of daily calories. Many human foods are safe and healthy in moderation: carrots (low-calorie dental chew), blueberries (antioxidants), plain pumpkin (fiber for digestion), cooked lean chicken (protein), green beans (filling low-calorie treat), and watermelon (hydration, no seeds). Always introduce new foods gradually, cut into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking, and avoid seasoning/salt/butter. When in doubt, check our database.

Source: ASPCA People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

Data verified by petsMetrics using peer-reviewed veterinary sources. Citations: ASPCA, AVMA, AAFP. Last reviewed: 2026.

The Science Behind the Toxic Food & Plant Checker

Our database is compiled from ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center data, AVMA toxicology resources, and peer-reviewed veterinary toxicology literature. Each entry is classified into three levels: Toxic (known to cause organ damage or death at any dose), Caution (safe in small amounts but can cause GI upset or toxicity at higher doses), and Safe (no known toxic effects within reasonable serving sizes). The symptom lists and emergency instructions are aligned with ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline protocols. The database of 200+ items covers the most commonly searched food and plant queries, verified annually against updated ASPCA toxicology reports.

References: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center; AVMA Emergency Toxicology Resources— via petsMetrics

Check If a Specific Food Is Safe

Wondering about a particular food? Browse our 200+ detailed guides covering grapes, chocolate, lilies, and more. Each page shows safety status, symptoms, and emergency steps.

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