12 fruits and vegetables that are toxic to dogs

Are you harming your dog? Of course not, you’re probably shouting at the screen your dog is part of the family! But there are many common fruit and vegetables which are toxic to dogs and if you don’t know what they are, you might accidentally be giving your dog a treat which is in fact causing him or her harm.

Our guide to fruit and vegetables which are toxic for dogs

1. Grapes and raisins

The first on our list has to be raisins and grapes. A small amount of this innocuous little fruit so common in our homes can cause irreversible kidney damage and failure quite quickly, depending on the size of dog that ingests them. If your dog eats some or your suspect they have, get them to the vets straightaway.

2. Avocados

There is some debate about avocados but as a rule of thumb it is best to avoid giving any part of this fruit to your dog including the stone in the middle and the skin. They can cause breathing problems, sickness and diarrhoea.

3. Pips, seeds and stones

Tempting as it is to throw your dog an apple core, the pips, seeds and stones from fruits such as apples, cherries, plums, peaches etc. contain cyanide and can be extremely harmful to your dog and even prove fatal.

4. Mushrooms

Whilst your ordinary mushrooms that you use in cooking should be ok, wild mushrooms can be very poisonous but also one of those things that dogs forage around for whilst out walking. Symptoms vary according to the mushroom but include the usual diarrhoea, vomiting, restlessness and if you suspect your dog has eaten wild mushrooms or is behaving unusually, get them to the vets.

5. Nuts

Always avoid giving your dog nuts. The different types carry a variety of different symptoms and effects and some can be fatal to your dog. Particularly bad are Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecan nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts and peanuts. The best advice is always to keep nuts out of reach.

6. Unripe tomatoes

While ripe tomatoes are probably ok for your dog, unripe tomatoes and tomato plants can be harmful. They contain something called ‘tomatine’ which can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract so if you are growing your own, make sure they are well fenced off from your furry friend.

7. Onions and garlic

In appropriate quantities garlic can be good for your dog but if they eat too much garlic or onions and chives, it can also be harmful and can destroy your dog’s red blood cells. It doesn’t matter whether it is raw, cooked or dried, make sure you avoid feeding these offenders to your dog.

8. Nutmeg

Not necessarily something that will be lying around your home in large quantities but something to be aware of. Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures and even death in dogs so just make sure your dog doesn’t get hold of any.

9. Broccoli

While broccoli has so many health benefits for us and our families, the same is not true for man’s best friend. It can irritate their stomach and while that may not sound bad it can be very dangerous particularly in certain breeds.

10. Rhubarb

Another one of our commonly home grown fruits which can be toxic to dogs is rhubarb which again can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract. Symptoms include tremors, seizures and heart problems so don’t let your dog get stuck into your rhubarb crumble or vegetable patch.

11. Potatoes

It’s not so much the potatoes themselves you have to worry about but the potato plants so beware if you are growing your own. The plants contain something called solanine which can cause a variety of complaints including diarrhoea, vomiting and confusion and it can be very dangerous to your dog.

12. Persimmon seeds

Not terribly common in the UK, the persimmon fruit is an exotic orange fruit that we do find in our supermarkets sometimes. But the seeds are very harmful to dog and can cause diarrhoea and a high temperature so they are another important fruit to avoid giving your four-legged friend.

Keep on the lookout!

There’s no doubt that we’re a nation of dog lovers and we welcome our furry best friend into our families as one of our own. But tempting as it is to throw your dog the odd tip bit, let them forage or give them your scraps, it is very important to make sure you know what could be harmful to your dog. If you have any doubt that they might have eaten something they shouldn’t or if they are showing any signs of unusual behaviour, take advice from your vet straightaway.