What Fruits & Veggies Are Bad For Dogs?

It may be hard to resist the adorable, brown-eyed gaze of your golden retriever when it begs for a taste of your meal. Some human food is harmless, or even healthy, for dogs, but remember that their metabolisms are designed to digest and process different nutrients than humans. Some of the things that you eat regularly can be toxic to your dog. Next time you reach for a bite to share with your furry friend, take a closer look to ensure that no dangerous items are on your plate.

  1. Grapes

    • Grapes have the potential to cause kidney failure in dogs. The same can be said of any food (such as raisins) that comes from grapes. Individual dogs have different levels of tolerance for grapes. Some may eat a pound of the fruit and show no side effects. Others can get sick from just a few grapes. Because you can't know how much your dog can eat before getting sick, take it to a vet if you suspect it has been munching on grapes. Remove any grapevines from your yard to lower the risk of grape poisoning.

    Pitted Fruits

    • These include fruits that have a large pit at the center, such as apricots, cherries, peaches and plums. Though apples have smaller seeds, they also have similar toxic effects on dogs. The fruits themselves are harmless, but the seeds and leaves contain a chemical that is similar to cyanide. Dogs that eat these fruits can suffer from breathing problems or shock. Watch for increased anxiety in your dog or dilated eyes, both symptoms that can give you a clue that your dog may have eaten these toxic seeds.

    Avocados

    • No part of an avocado plant is safe for your dog to eat. The fatty compounds in avocados are the toxic ingredient here. Your dog may get away with eating an avocado or two before it starts to show symptoms, or it may get sick immediately. Symptoms of this type of food poisoning are difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement and fluid in the chest.

    Onions

    • Onions contain a chemical known as thiosulphate that, if eaten in large quantities, can damage your dog's red blood cells. Keep onions out of your dog's regular diet. Even the occasional onion can be harmful because a dog's metabolism cannot process it. Because your dog can't digest an onion, it can experience gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or vomiting.

    Unripe Tomatoes

    • Red tomatoes are perfectly fine for most dogs to eat, but take steps to keep your pet out of your tomato plants. Unripe, green tomatoes, along with the the plant itself, contain atropine. This chemical can cause heart arrhythmias in your dog. If the pet does eat an unripe tomato or a tomato plant, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, drooling, lethargy and even seizures. If your dog has inflammatory disorders like arthritis, avoid feeding it even ripe tomatoes, which can increase inflammation and aggravate your dog's symptoms.

    Raw Potatoes

    • Cooked potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates for dogs, but keep raw potatoes out of your dog's reach. Raw potatoes can be toxic to dogs. If you want to supplement your dog's diet with potatoes, cook them thoroughly before adding them to your dog's food. Use fencing to keep your dog out of your garden if you grow your own potatoes. They can be an enticing treat for your dog to dig up, but they can make it sick.