🚫 Toxic Foods for Dogs and Cats: What Pets Should Never Eat + 75 Pet-Safe Foods
Fetch Pet BoutiqueToxic Foods for Dogs and Cats: What to Avoid and What’s Safe
As pet parents, it’s natural to want to share our favourite snacks with our dogs and cats. But many everyday foods can cause serious health issues, even in small amounts. At Fetch Pet Boutique in Etobicoke, we often meet pet families unsure about what’s safe and what’s harmful. This guide explains why certain foods are toxic, plus provides one of the most complete lists of search-friendly, pet-safe foods (75 total).
If you ever have doubts, stick with premium pet food from trusted brands including - but not limited to - ACANA, Orijen, GO! Solutions, Iron Will Raw, Raw Performance and Fromm. These formulas are designed for complete, balanced nutrition without risk.
The Most Common Toxic Foods for Dogs 🐶 and Cats 🐱
Below are the foods veterinarians warn about most often, plus simple explanations you can share with family and friends.
🍫 1. Chocolate
Why it’s toxic: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which pets metabolize slowly.
Risks: Vomiting, rapid heartbeat, tremors, seizures.
🍇 2. Grapes and Raisins
Why they’re toxic: The natural compounds in grapes can cause sudden kidney failure, even in tiny amounts.
Risks: Lethargy, vomiting, increased thirst, kidney damage.
🧅 3. Onions, Garlic and Chives
Why they’re toxic: These foods damage red blood cells in dogs and cats.
Risks: Anaemia, weakness, collapsed red blood cell count.
🍬 4. Xylitol (found in sugar-free foods)
Why it’s toxic: Xylitol causes a rapid drop in blood sugar.
Risks: Vomiting, tremors, seizures, liver failure.
🍹 5. Alcohol
Why it’s toxic: Pets are far more sensitive to ethanol than humans.
Risks: Vomiting, low blood pressure, respiratory failure.
🦴 6. Cooked Bones
Why they’re dangerous: Cooked bones splinter easily.
Risks: Choking, bowel obstruction, punctures.
7. Macadamia Nuts
Why they’re toxic: The exact compound is unknown, but dogs are highly sensitive.
Risks: Tremors, weakness, overheating.
☕ 8. Caffeine and Energy Drinks
Why it’s toxic: Similar to chocolate, caffeine overstimulates the nervous system.
Risks: Hyperactivity, heartbeat irregularities.
🍞 9. Raw Bread Dough
Why it’s dangerous: The yeast expands in the stomach and produces alcohol.
Risks: Bloating, alcohol toxicity.
🍬 10. Certain Artificial Sweeteners (like erythritol)
Why they’re risky: Some cause insulin spikes in dogs.
Risks: Drooling, wobbliness, collapse.
Pet-Safe Foods: 75 Items People Search Most Often
Pet parents Google these foods every day. While these are generally safe, remember:
● Offer in small, occasional portions
● Avoid seasoning, salt or sugar
● Cats often prefer meat over produce
When in doubt, choose complete diets, many of which can be found on our website.
🍎 Fruits (safe in moderation)
1. Apples (no seeds)
2. Blueberries
3. Strawberries
4. Bananas
5. Mango (no pit)
6. Pears (no seeds)
7. Pineapple
8. Watermelon (seedless)
9. Cantaloupe
10. Raspberries
11. Cranberries
12. Peaches (no pit)
13. Apricots (no pit)
14. Nectarines (no pit)
15. Kiwi
🥕 Vegetables (plain, cooked or raw)
16. Carrots
17. Green beans
18. Cucumbers
19. Sweet potatoes (cooked)
20. Pumpkin
21. Broccoli (small amounts)
22. Cauliflower
23. Zucchini
24. Spinach
25. Celery
26. Lettuce
27. Bell peppers
28. Squash
29. Brussels sprouts (small portions)
30. Peas
🐔 Proteins (plain, unseasoned)
31. Chicken
32. Turkey
33. Beef
34. Salmon (cooked)
35. Sardines (in water)
36. Whitefish
37. Lamb
38. Eggs (cooked)
39. Duck
40. Rabbit
41. Trout
42. Tilapia
43. Pork (fully cooked)
44. Tuna (small amounts, especially for cats)
45. Mackerel
🧀 Dairy & Snacks (only if tolerated)
46. Plain yogurt
47. Cottage cheese
48. Hard cheeses (very small amounts)
49. Goat milk
50. Kefir
🍚 Grains & Carbs
51. Rice
52. Oatmeal
53. Quinoa
54. Barley
55. Whole grain bread (tiny amounts)
56. Pasta (plain, cooked)
🥜 Pet-Safe Treats & Extras
57. Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
58. Pumpkin purée
59. Bone broth (no onion)
60. Coconut oil (small amounts)
61. Seaweed snacks (plain)
62. Applesauce (unsweetened)
63. Dog-safe ice creams
64. Cat grass
65. Catnip
66. Brewer’s yeast treats
67. Freeze-dried liver
68. Freeze-dried chicken
69. Freeze-dried minnows
70. Goat milk toppers
71. Carob (dog-safe chocolate alternative)
Store-Bought Healthy Options
These are commonly searched and safe when designed for pets:
72. ACANA freeze-dried treats
73. Orijen freeze-dried treats
74. Big Country Raw meaty bones (appropriate sizes only)
75. GO! Solutions functional treats
When to Avoid Human Foods Entirely
Some pets have:
● Pancreatitis
● Food sensitivities
● Allergies
● Weight issues
If your dog or cat has a sensitive stomach, stick with balanced, high-quality pet food. Our team at Fetch Pet Boutique is happy to discuss brands such as ACANA, Orijen, GO! or Open Farm, among others.
Safer Alternatives: Premium Food Options
If your pet enjoys variety, consider rotating between premium options rather than offering table scraps. At Fetch Pet Boutique, top sellers include:
ACANA Singles for sensitive stomachs
Orijen Original for high-protein needs
GO! Sensitivities for allergies
Big Country Raw for fresh, balanced raw feeding
You can shop all of these on our website or in our Etobicoke store at Rathburn and Islington.
Conclusion
Sharing food with our pets feels like love, but the safest way to care for them is knowing what’s harmful and what’s safe. If you ever have doubts, stick with nutritious, balanced pet food from trusted brands or visit our shop for guidance.
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Browse our premium pet food selection online.
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Visit us in store at Rathburn and Islington for nutrition information about your favourite pet products.