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Dogs can be pretty persuasive whenever they want a bite of what you are having, that's no secret. However, vets keep urging dog owners not to share food scraps with their pets. Even though most of the food we eat is harmless for our friends, there are many kinds of food items that could potentially harm them if we are not careful. Whether they manage to steal a bite here and there, or we are unknowingly feeding them something harmful, here's a list of some common edible no-no's in a household that can cause your dog to have an upset stomach or in the worst case scenario, seizures, and serious poisoning.

Avocado - Vomiting & Diarrhea

Even though avocados are one of the trendiest health food out there and are praised for their nutritional benefits when it comes to us humans, we can’t say the same thing about our four-legged friends. Avocados contain a fatty toxin called Persin, that is capable of causing health problems to many animals. If digested in large amount, it can cause excessive vomiting and diarrhea as well as myocardial damage. Persin is found in all the parts of an avocado plant, so make sure to keep the hungry puppies away from them!

Bacon & Fatty Meat - Causes Pancreatitis

Alright, it’s no secret that both dogs and humans love bacon as well as other salty and fatty meats. However, much like in our diets, such food items must be nothing more than an occasional treat. Even though we all love it, too much consumption of such food causes pancreatitis, meaning a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. This condition can be extremely uncomfortable for your four-legged friend and can have serious implications. Some less serious side effects can vary from an upset stomach to excessive thirst and bloating. The bottom line is that yes, they can eat it, just not too much.

Alcohol - Alcohol Poisoning

Well, it’s no secret that alcohol is harmful to humans as well as dogs. Even though we tend to consume it for fun, giving alcohol to dogs can cause real life-threatening problems. It has been shown that alcohol can cause damage to the kidneys, the liver, and the nervous system of both cats and dogs and even small amounts can possibly kill a small pet. Signs of alcohol poisoning may include having difficulties walking, lack of coordination, being unresponsive and vomiting. Keep in mind, the smaller your dog is, the worse these effects can be.

Dairy Products - Lactose Intolerance

Much like humans, dogs can be lactose intolerant. The symptoms of giving a lactose-intolerant dog any dairy products are intestinal distress in general that may include gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some dogs can also be allergic to milk, which is understandably more dangerous. The bottom line is, even if it gets hot outside during the summer, and it might get tempting to share some ice cream with your four-legged friend, why take the risk? It’s better to just give them some cold water! Even though it’s not intensely life-threatening, it surely won’t be pleasant for your dog.

Grapes & Raisins - Kidney Failure

It hasn’t yet been found which exact substance in grapes and raisins causes dogs to get sick, but what’s been found is that feeding them to your dog is a very bad idea. Even small amounts are capable of making a dog sick. It has been shown that dogs who have consumed grapes, with or without seeds, can have, a sudden and lethal, kidney failure. The early effects include a loss of appetite, lethargy, pain, and vomiting, and dehydration in the first hours. However, if you catch your dog eating some, it’s should be treated with induced vomiting within the first two hours.

Onions & Garlic - Heinz Body Formation & Anemia

Don’t worry, small amounts of garlic and onion are found in everyday dog food since it can’t be life-threatening if it’s consumed rarely and in small quantities. However, the constant consumption of garlic and onions or even a large and sudden one can cause serious problems. With time, their consumption is shown to cause the destruction of red blood cells, or what's also called the Heinz body formation which results in anemia. If big amounts are suddenly consumed, it can cause tachypnea (rapid breathing) and (rapid heartbeat) as well as vomiting. Cats and Japanese dog breeds are more sensitive to these effects.

Sugar - Cavities, Extra Weight & Diabetes

Just like with us humans, dogs need some form of sugar in their system, however, excessive and bad sugar can cause problems. Fructose, in general, is always good, as long as it doesn’t come from fruits that can be toxic to them. Giving a dog granulated sugar, that comes from candies, cookies, etc., can lead to cavities in the teeth, weight gain, and even diabetes. So next time you feel like giving your dog a human treat, think twice. It’s always best to avoid sugar, be that in your own or your dog’s diet.

Caffeine - Seizures & Collapsing

Every household consumes some form of caffeine, be that in coffee, tea, chocolate or any other beverage. All pets, however, are extremely more sensitive to it than people are. Thankfully, the effects of your dog consuming caffeine are shown immediately. Within the first one or two hours, the dog will suffer from hyperactivity and restlessness and this will be just the beginning. The consumption of caffeine can elevate the dog's heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature which can potentially lead to seizures and collapsing. So make sure to keep your coffee grains and tea bags somewhere where your pet can’t reach it.

Xylitol - Life-Threatening Hypoglycemia

For those who don’t know it yet, xylitol is a sugar substitute used widely in sugar-free sweets like gum, candy, some baked goods, and even in certain kinds of toothpaste. Even though it causes no problems at all in humans, animals, and especially dogs, can’t digest it the same way as we can. When dogs consume xylitol, it gets released into their bloodstream and as a result, decreases their blood sugar levels causing hypoglycemia. It is estimated that for it to be poisonous, it has to exceed 50 mg per pound. If the dog goes without treatment, it can cause life-threatening symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and even tremors and seizures.

Chocolate - Tremors, Seizures & Heart Attack

Most dog owners know this already, but chocolate is extremely bad for dogs. Even though we can digest chocolate with ease, it’s not the same for them. The substance in chocolate that is toxic to dogs is called theobromine and keep in mind that the smaller the dog, the greater the danger. In small amounts, it can cause an upset stomach that may cause some vomiting and diarrhea. However, in large amounts, the dog can suffer from tremors and seizures, much like with caffeine, as well as having an irregular heartbeat and even a heart attack.

Fat Trimmings & Bones - Pancreatitis & Choking

It’s no secret that dogs can be quite demanding and cute when it comes to sharing some of your human-food with them. Even though their techniques can be hard to resist for some, it’s highly recommended not to share any of your leftovers with them.  Fat trimmings, in the long run, can cause pancreatitis in your dog-friend, meaning inflammation in the pancreas. As far as bones go, even though it’s become short of stereotypical to give your steak’s bone to your dog, you shouldn’t. Not only can the dog choke on it, but bones from turkeys, chicken, and pork can splinter, causing obstructions and lacerations in its digestive system.

Persimmons, Peaches & Plums - Inflammation & Poisoning

Persimmons, peaches, and plums aren’t by default, bad for dogs, but their seeds and pits definitely are. The seeds can cause inflammation in a dog’s small intestine as well as obstruction in their digestive tract. On top of that, many fruits, including peaches, and plums, contain cyanide, a highly poisonous substance. Cyanide can also be found in man-made products such as in cigarette smoke, various extermination products, and in burning plastic. Hence, the next time you feel like giving your dog any type of fruit, make sure it’s safe first.

Raw Eggs - Biotin Deficiency

It’s not unheard of that raw eggs can be used as a helpful home medicine for our dogs. They are known to help with settling our dogs’ upset stomachs. However, other than running the risk of salmonella every time you feed your dog a raw egg, if you actually base the dog’s meal plan on them, it can lead to the dog developing a biotin deficiency. Biotin is a B type vitamin that helps digestion, the metabolism, as well as skin and cell growth. Even though feeding your dog a raw egg from time to time causes no problems, it’s better to serve them cooked or boiled.

Raw Meat & Fish - Parasites & Worm Infection

There’s a trend that calls for you to feed your dogs a raw diet. However, much like with the eggs, every time you do that, you run the risk of salmonella. In meat specifically, there are even more bacteria that the meat might be infected with, like listeria and E.coli. Cooking the meat to a safe temperature ensures us that all these harmful parasites die. Raw fish, however, might be healthy for both dogs and humans, parasites aside, but be warned, most fish have worms like tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms. If you want to feed your dog raw fish, make sure to freeze it for at least 24 hours before serving.

Human Medicine - Poisoning

Some human medicine is recommended for dogs, given the circumstances. But before you go ahead and try and treat your dog’s problems though, make sure to consult your veterinarian, especially since even the doses are different. Certain medicines, on the other hand, are entirely toxic to pets. Some examples are, for starters, most anti-inflammatory medicines, as they can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure. Antidepressants and birth control pills cause serious poisoning and sleep-aids cause severe lethargy and incoordination. Therefore, make sure to always check with your dog's physician and if the medicine is safe, ensure that the dosage is right.

Citrus - Can Cause Serious Digestive Issues

As mentioned earlier, fruits have many nutritional benefits in a dog’s diet; some fruits are even used as ingredients to various dog food and treats. Giving your dog some citrus fruit in controlled quantities is always good. However, not all citrus is good. Dogs can eat oranges, lemons, clementines, and tangerines since the citric acid and the natural sugars in them can be easily digested as long as they don’t overdo it, of course. On the other hand, grapefruits are extremely toxic to them and can lead to instant vomiting and diarrhea.

Coconut Flesh, Oil & Water - Healthy in Controlled Quantities

Before grabbing your coconuts to get ready to feed them to your dog, make sure to remove all parts of the shell and do not overdo it. Too much coconut flesh can cause an upset stomach because it is high in calories. Generally, coconut flesh, water, and oil can be extremely beneficial for your dog as it has multiple benefits for its health. Coconuts can help decrease inflammations while boosting the immune system and benefits the dog’s skin. However, the oil and the water from the coconut are more beneficial than the flesh, but all in all, do not be afraid to give your dog this tasty treat!

Nuts - Vomiting, Weakness & Fever

Nuts are a source of protein and good fat in general, but much like when it comes to a human's diet, make sure not to overdo it when feeding them to your dog. Even though some nuts are okay for your dog, especially if they are unsalted, some types of nuts can cause serious problems. Generally, peanuts, almonds, and cashews are always fine, as long as you feed them with caution. Feeding your dog macadamia nuts and walnuts though can cause your dog to vomit, have a fever, weakness, and sometimes even tremors.

Salt - Neither Too Much or Too Little

Just like us humans, dogs also need salt in their meals, however giving your dog too much, or too little salt can be unhealthy. Keep in mind though, that certain conditions in your dog’s health may require a low-salt meal plan. Overall, make sure to avoid feeding your dog overly salted treats like crisps, pretzels, etc. If your dog gets salt poisoning, some of the symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as excessive thirst and urination, and in the most dangerous cases, tremors and seizures. Much like everything else on this list, just don’t overdo it.

Cinnamon - Increases Blood's Glucose Levels

Don’t worry, even though many human treats are bad for dogs, as it turns out, cinnamon is actually good for them! An occasional half-teaspoon of cinnamon in your dog’s food can help its body’s ability to use insulin, hence improves the blood’s glucose levels. It’s extremely helpful especially when your dog is diabetic. Do be cautious though, as high levels of cinnamon intake can cause liver damage. Nutmeg, on the other hand, is toxic for your dog so try to avoid it. Also, cinnamon oils can easily irritate the dog’s mouth, making them uncomfortable and sick.

Apple Seeds - Cause Poisoning

Generally, apples are one of the fruits that have many nutritional benefits for both dogs and humans. Be careful when feeding them to your dog though, since the seeds are extremely poisonous for everyone. They contain amygdalin, which is a form of cyanide and if consumed in large amounts, they can be extremely dangerous for all living beings. Don’t worry too much though; even if your dog accidentally eats one or two seeds, the body can detoxify itself. So, if you want to feed your dog some tasty apples, just make sure to separate the core first.

Mushrooms - Extremely Poisonous

Don’t be alarmed, all the mushrooms sold in grocery stores are safe and non-toxic for everyone. One can’t say the same thing about the mushrooms found outside though. There are so many types of different mushrooms, but thankfully, just over 100 of these types are poisonous. In some cases, however, deadly poisoning can occur from just a small bite. In any case, if you are playing outside with your dog, be that in your backyard or in a park, and you see it eating mushrooms, rush to the vet, as poisoning from certain mushrooms can be deadly within hours.

Cherries - Healthy When Cautious

A cherry’s flesh is safe and healthy for everyone, as it contains high quantities of vitamins A and C as well as fiber and antioxidants. Be careful though, since large quantities can upset your dog’s stomach. On the other hand, every other part of the cherry, like the pits, the stems, and the leaves, contain cyanide. As we’ve seen before in this article, cyanide is toxic for everyone, and even though small amounts can get detoxified, why take the risk, to begin with? Some great alternatives to cherries can be blueberries, peeled, and pitted mangos and apples without the core and the seeds.

Rhubarb - Causes a Sudden Drop in Calcium

For the most part, the rhubarb stems are safe to eat, but when it comes to the leaves though, not so much. A dog would have to eat quite a lot of rhubarb leaves for them to start threatening its health. Basically, consumption of large quantities of rhubarb leaves causes a sudden drop in calcium, which requires, in turn, medical assistance. The effects from rhubarb poisoning include excessive drooling, loss of appetite, weakness, and in some cases, tremors. So, if you happen to be growing rhubarb in your back yard, make sure to keep your dog away from it.

Tomato - Can Cause Poisoning

In general, tomato isn’t bad for a dog, especially when it's cooked in a meal. However, all the green parts of the tomato, as well as an unripe tomato, can be potentially harmful. The stems and leaves contain a substance called solanine, which can cause serious side-effects. These can range from a simple upset stomach, which is the most common, to cardiac arrest, loss of coordination, weakness, and in rare cases, tremors and seizures. Thankfully, as mentioned, these symptoms are rare, so just be careful if you happen to be growing tomatoes at home.