These are the foods we rate as toxic or best avoided for dogs. Toxic foods can cause serious harm even in small amounts; “avoid” foods aren’t always an emergency but carry real risks. Each page explains why and what to do if your dog already ate it.
| Food | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Almonds | Better avoided. Details → |
| Bacon | No, it’s best not to feed bacon. Details → |
| Cherries | Better avoided. Details → |
| Chicken Bones | No chicken bones are considered completely safe. Details → |
| Hot Dogs | It’s best not to. Details → |
| Marshmallows | Better avoided. Details → |
| Pecans | No. Details → |
| Pistachios | Best avoided. Details → |
| Poop | It’s common, but you should discourage it. Details → |
| Raw Beef | Best avoided. Details → |
| Rib Bones | No. Details → |
| Walnuts | Best avoided. Details → |
Of the foods we cover, these are rated toxic: chocolate, garlic, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, raisins, rhubarb.
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away, even if your dog seems fine. Don’t induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
Not reliably. For foods like grapes, raisins, chocolate and macadamia nuts, even small amounts can cause severe symptoms in some dogs. Call your vet.
Each food page lists its own sources, mainly the AKC, ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, VCA, PetMD and FDA. See also: ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
Last checked: 2026-11-10. General information, not veterinary advice.
