To maintain a dogs health it is important that certain foods are avoided due to their hazardous health effects.  Some foods, even in small doses can cause symptoms ranging from mild digestive upset to severe illness and in some cases death.   Cheeky Dog has below provided a list of foods dogs should avoid - download a copy Here

Please note: This site is a reference tool only.  If you suspect your dog has ingested a food on the list, poisons or any other harmful substance, please seek immediate veterinary care.

Foods Dogs Should Avoid.

1.  Chocolate, Coffee and other Caffeine related food

 Why: These foods contain caffeine, theobromine and theophylline which is toxic to dogs

Symptoms: Affects the heart and nervous system, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, seizures, coma, death

Treatment: Seek veterinary care immediatley

2.  Alcoholic drinks

        Why: small amounts of alcohol can cause intoxication

        Symptoms: staggering, vomiting, coma and in extreme         cases death

        Treatment:  Seek veterinary care and advice

3.  Onions and Garlic

 Why:   Both of these vegetables contain sulfoxides and disulfides which are toxic to dogs causing anemia

Symptoms:  laboured breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarhea, convulsions, coma and death

Treatment:    Seek veterinary care immediatley

4.  Grapes and Raisins

 Why:  Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin which can damage the kidneys

Symptoms:  vomiting, diarhea, abdominal pain and lethargy

Treatment:   Seek veterinary care and advice

5.  Mushrooms

Why:  Contain a mix of toxins that effect digestive and nervous systems causing shock and possible death

Symptoms:  abdominal pain, drooling, liver and kidney damage, vomiting, diarhea, convulsions, coma, death

Treatment:   Seek veterinary care immediatley

6.  Macadamia Nuts

Why:  These nuts contain an unknown toxin which can effect a dogs digestive and nervous system

Symptoms:  vomiting and paralysis

Treatment:  Seek veterinary care and advice 

7.  Moldy or Spoiled Foods / Garbage

Why:  moldy or spoiled foods can contain multiple toxins which can be detrimental to a dogs health

Symptoms:  vomiting and diarhea

Treatment:  Seek veterinary care and advice 

 
8.  Milk and some Dairy Products

Why:  Dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase which breaks down the lactose in milk and milk products

Symptoms:  vomiting and diarhea

Treatment:   Seek veterinary advice

9.  Cooked Bones

Why:  Cooked bones from animals such as chicken, lamb and beef can splinter into small pieces and obstruct or lacerate the digestive system

Symptoms: obstruction can result in difficulty breathing and lacerations can result in internal bleeding

Treatment:  Dog should be taken to an emergency vet as soon as possible

10.  Human Vitamin Supplements containing Iron 

Why: The vitamin supplements can degrade the lining of the stomach and damage the liver and kidneys

Symptoms:  vomiting, diarhea and abdominal pain

Treatment:  Seek veterinary advice




11.  Salt

Why:  if dogs consume large amounts of salt it can cause dehydration and electrolite imbalance

Symptoms:  thirsty, fatigue, vomiting

Treatment:  reduce salt in dogs diet - seek veterinary advice

12.  Foods with a High Sugar Content

Why:  can cause dental problems, lead to obesity and can in extreme cases cause diabetes

Symptoms:  tooth decay, dog puts on weight continually, fatigue, extreme thirst

Treatment: reduce intake of sugary foods - seek veterinary advice