FOODS DOGS MUST NOT EAT
Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, which are all members of the Allium genus, can damage healthy red blood cells, leading to life-threatening anemia. Cooking these household staples won’t make them any less toxic, so leave them out of your pet’s diet no matter how they’re prepared.
Grapes or Raisins
Grapes and raisins may look harmless, but they can cause illness and kidney damage in dogs. Clinical signs can occur within 24 hours of eating and include, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Avocados
No matter how much he begs, don’t let your pet lick the remnants of a bowl of guacamole dip — the avocado is likely poisonous to dogs and cats and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Macadamia Nuts
While they’re an excellent source of vitamin E for humans, macadamia nuts can prove fatal for dogs. As few as 10 macadamia nuts can cause frightening symptoms in dogs, such as weakness, vomiting, tremors, and joint pain.
Raw Potatoes
Feeding your pup a raw potato can be risky, especially if it has any green parts or sprouts. Potatoes contain solanin, a toxin that can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and severe stomach upset.
Wild Mushrooms
Wild mushrooms can be pretty, but they can also be deadly for dogs. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from vomiting and hallucinating to liver failure and death. There are many different species of mushrooms and toxicity levels differ, so to be safe, keep your animal away from away from all wild mushrooms.
Apple Cores With Seeds and Stems
It’s fine for your dog to eat an apple slice or two, but don’t give him the core. The core can include apple seeds, stems and leaves, which contain cyanide, a toxin that can cause dilated pupils, panting, difficulty breathing and shock. You’ll also want to be cautious about other fruits with seeds, such as watermelon — offer only the fruit, not the seeds, stems or leaves.
Stone Fruits
Stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums and cherries are not safe for dogs — their pits can be choking hazards. And choking isn’t the only problem with these fruits: The stems, leaves and pits of apricots, plums, peaches and cherries also contain cyanide.
Rhubarb Leaves
If you’re making a rhubarb pie, make sure you carefully dispose of the leaves. The leaves of a rhubarb plant are toxic to pets and can cause kidney failure and tremors.
FOODS DOGS CAN SAFELY EAT
If your pooch already eats a quality commercial diet that’s been approved by your veterinarian, he doesn’t necessarily need fruits and vegetables to balance his nutrition — not like we humans do, anyway. Still, fruits and vegetables (offered in moderation, of course) can be tasty, low-calorie and inexpensive snacks for dogs. So toss those fattening cookies and hit the produce section. It’s time to get healthy!
Broccoli
Broccoli makes a great snack for pups. Just remember to serve human food sparingly — even the best fruits and vegetables, if eaten by your pet in huge amounts, can cause stomach problems.
Sweet Potatoes
Some canines love sweet potatoes. Be sure to serve them to your dog in small bites and make sure that they’re cooked, never raw.
Zucchini, Other Squash
Zucchini and other squash are healthy treats for your canine.
Peas
Giving your dog peas instead of cookies can make you feel better about his caloric intake. But keep in mind that treats, even healthy vegetables, should be less than 10 percent of your pet’s diet.
Bananas
If you want to give your canine a few banana slices but don’t want to deal with a squishy mess on your floor, here’s an easy solution: Freeze the banana slices before you offer them to your dog.
Green Beans
Good news for all you green bean fans out there: It’s safe to share them with your dog!
Carrots
Plenty of dogs enjoy carrots, but if yours is hesitant about eating raw vegetables for the first time, you can steam or boil the vegetables for an easier transition.
Apples
Many dogs love juicy apples. Just be sure your dog doesn’t get hold of seeds or the core, which can be harmful to him.
Cucumber slices
How about some fresh cucumber slices for your canine? Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables and remove rinds, skin, seeds or pits before feeding them to your pet.
It doesn't take much.
Several years ago, we nicknamed one of our dogs the Amanita Eater, after she nearly died of amanita poisoning.
She did NOT eat an amanita, per se; instead, she merely licked her foot to get the gunk out from between her toes, after stepping on a rotting Panther Cap, Amanita pantherina.