Keeping your dog healthy involves making sure they don’t eat any foods that are toxic to them. Although an emergency vet can help if a dog consumes something they shouldn’t, it’s best to avoid this ever happening entirely. That’s why the team at Texas County Veterinary Clinic, in Houston, MO, would like to share the following list of foods that aren’t safe for dogs. Make sure you’ve taken steps to prevent them from accidentally eating or drinking them.

Emergency Vet Shares 7 Foods Dogs Should Not Eat

1. Onions & Garlic

Onions and garlic—in both whole and powdered forms—are dangerous because they can kill off a dog’s red blood cells. If they consume any, they may show signs of weakness, or they may begin vomiting.

2. Alcohol

Obviously, you’re not going to intentionally feed a dog alcohol. Keeping this in mind, they could get access to it at a party or other large event if you’re not paying attention. The effects that alcohol has on humans are stronger in dogs. More importantly, dog kidneys are not as effective at processing alcohol as human kidneys. Thus, dogs are at an increased risk of suffering from alcohol poisoning when they consume even small amounts.

3. Caffeine

Any form of caffeine, whether it be coffee, tea, coffee grounds, or a spilled energy drink can be fatal for dogs. Contact a veterinarian right away if there’s even a chance your dog had any. Both dogs and cats have been known to easily develop caffeine poisoning from relatively small amounts of it. Even if it isn’t fatal, it can increase their heart rate to such a degree that lasting damage occurs.

4. Dairy

All dairy products may cause digestive issues. Your dog may think it wants a lick of ice cream, but they’ll likely be very uncomfortable if you give in. While not all dogs have problems with dairy, many suffer from vomiting and diarrhea if they consume it.

5. Grapes & Raisins

Both of these may cause a dog to suffer kidney failure. Keep them out of reach at all times. They may also trigger a coma, or abdominal pain and vomiting. Researchers don’t yet know why dogs can’t tolerate grapes or raisins, but the adverse effects are well-documented.

6. Avocado

Avocados contain pepsin, an ingredient that is likely to trigger an allergic reaction in dogs. They’ll experience vomiting and diarrhea if they have any. Some dogs aren’t affected, but it’s not worth the risk.

7. Chocolate

Chocolate—even white chocolate—can cause heart issues and seizures in dogs. Sometimes ingesting it can be fatal. Unlike humans, dogs metabolize theobromine—a key ingredient in chocolate— very slowly, making it easy to accumulate to dangerous levels.

Again, if a dog consumes any of these, contact an emergency vet right away. If you want to learn more about what foods dogs shouldn’t eat, schedule an appointment at Texas County Veterinary Clinic, in Houston, MO. They’ll make sure you have all the information you need to keep your little buddy happy and healthy. Contact them online for more information, or call (417) 967-3857 to schedule an appointment.