Dog Owner’s Guide: What Foods Are Not Safe for Dogs?

Should you really share everything with your dog? Or, put another way: What foods are dogs not allowed to eat?

We've all been there: You're in the kitchen, happily chopping vegetables for dinner or spooning something delicious onto the couch, and your dog immediately gets those big, pleading eyes. When your four-legged friend looks so eager, heartbreakingly sweet, the temptation to share your food is, of course, enormous. Surely a little piece won't hurt, right?

Unfortunately, it can! Our dogs' metabolisms differ significantly from our own. What is healthy, nutritious, and delicious for us humans is often not good for dogs at all. Some very common foods that you almost certainly have in your home every day can seriously harm your dog and lead to severe digestive problems or even life-threatening poisoning.

But does that mean dogs can't eat anything from the table? And what foods are dogs not allowed to eat? In this comprehensive guide, we provide you with a detailed and helpful list of the most dangerous foods.

So that you know exactly where to be careful in the future, we have broken down the most common and dangerous foods for you. Please make sure that these items are never left unattended within your dog's reach (e.g., on a low coffee table).

A resounding no! Onions, garlic, and all other plants from the Allium sp. family (such as leeks, spring onions, shallots, or chives) are highly toxic to dogs.This applies to absolutely every form: Your dog must not eat raw, cooked, dried, or powdered onions or garlic. All parts of the plants contain so-called N-propyl disulfides, which destroy red blood cells in the dog's body and lead to life-threatening anemia.

Potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes belong to the large nightshade family. They all contain a mildly toxic chemical compound called solanine in their raw state. Solanine can quickly cause discomfort in dogs, such as severe nausea, stomach pain, and kidney irritation. In very high doses, it can even damage the nervous system.The good news: When cooked, the solanine passes into the cooking water. So, if you want to give your dog potatoes, they must be thoroughly boiled until soft! The cooking water should then be poured away.

Many experienced dog owners are rightly wary of pork. Raw pork is a potential carrier of the dreaded Aujeszky's disease virus (also known as Aujeszky's disease or pseudorabies). Infection with this virus is always and inevitably fatal for dogs! In addition, raw pork can be infested with dangerous trichinella (roundworms).If pork (especially from wild boar) is to be fed, it must be thoroughly cooked and heated to over 70 degrees Celsius beforehand.

It really depends on which legumes you are thinking of. If it's simple green peas, you can give them to your dog occasionally. Raw peas are not toxic to dogs, but in larger quantities, they can cause flatulence due to their high fiber content.However, uncooked green beans, broad beans, or kidney beans are absolutely forbidden! They can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Raw kidney beans are even toxic because they contain the protein phasin (a lectin), which leads to fatal clumping of red blood cells.

If you're wondering what foods are dogs not allowed to eat, raisins, grapes, and fruit pits are very high on the list! Even very small amounts of grapes or raisins (about 10 grams per kilogram of body weight) can lead to kidney failure and, in the worst case, death in dogs.The pits of stone fruits (such as apricots, cherries, plums, or peaches) are also dangerous. They contain amygdalin, which is converted into toxic hydrogen cyanide in the stomach and can lead to respiratory paralysis.

A clear, strict no! Cocoa, coffee powder, and chocolate should never be given to dogs. They contain the methylxanthine theobromine (and caffeine). Dogs lack an enzyme to break down this substance quickly enough. Even small amounts of dark chocolate can cause heart rhythm disturbances, seizures, and ultimately death from heart failure.

Many native nuts (such as hazelnuts or walnuts) are non-toxic in small quantities, but pose a high allergy risk and are extreme calorie bombs. However, macadamia nuts are a dramatic exception – they are highly toxic to your dog and cause fever, vomiting, and severe paralysis (especially in the hind legs) even in the smallest amounts!

Many dogs are lactose intolerant. Cow's milk and high-fat cheese then lead to painful stomach cramps and severe diarrhea. Fermented products such as cottage cheese or cottage cheese in small quantities are easier to digest. Veterinarians strongly advise against raw eggs! The egg white contains avidin, which blocks the absorption of the important vitamin biotin. In addition, there is a major and dangerous salmonella risk with raw eggs – for the dog and for you as the owner.

In addition to foods, there are other everyday items that your dog must not ingest:

• Xylitol (birch sugar): This popular sugar substitute (often found in chewing gum, toothpaste, or light products) is a silent killer! In dogs, it causes a massive insulin release, a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, and often acute liver failure.

• Alcohol & raw yeast dough: Even small amounts of alcohol are toxic. Raw yeast dough is also dangerous: It continues to ferment in the warm dog stomach, producing massive amounts of alcohol and gas, which can lead to a fatal bloat.

• Salt & spicy seasonings: Chips, pretzels, and heavily seasoned food damage the kidneys over time and can lead to salt poisoning.

• Toxic houseplants: Danger lurks not only in the kitchen, but also in the living room. Monstera, ivy, aloe vera, and ficus are toxic. Read our guide to safe houseplants for dogs here.

If you can now answer the question " What are dogs not allowed to eat?" well, but still notice that your dog secretly stole something toxic from the table or floor, you must act quickly.

Typical symptoms of poisoning are:

• Heavy drooling and panting

• Sudden loss of appetite and lethargy

• Vomiting and severe diarrhea (sometimes with blood)

• Trembling, coordination problems, or seizures

Here is what you should do:

1. Do not panic, but act quickly.

2. If you know exactly what he ate, take the remains or the packaging with you.

3. Call your veterinary practice or the emergency veterinary service immediately and report your suspicion.

4. Never try (!), to make your dog vomit yourself with home remedies like salt or milk!

5. The veterinarian can inject the dog with a special medication within the first 2-3 hours that will safely make him vomit before the poison fully enters the bloodstream.

It is often a real struggle to resist the begging gaze of our four-legged friends. But when it comes to health, we have to stay firm. Many foods that we consume every day are simply not made for the complex organism of the dog and are often even life-threatening.

If you are not 100% sure whether a food is completely harmless, the iron rule always applies: Get rid of it! With high-quality, healthy, and species-appropriate dog food, your beloved is already perfectly supplied and does not need dangerous experiments from the dining table.