NGD Care | Nutrition & health
What should your dog or cat not eat?
At Easter, chocolate and eggs are everywhere. What is dangerous for your dog or cat — and what is not so bad?
NGD Care | Stefan Veenstra, DVM
Most people are familiar with chocolate and grapes. But does that also apply to raisins in Easter stollen, sugar-free candies or a craft egg made of salt dough? On the Internet you can find large lists of toxic foods for dogs. But most of those stories are only half true — and in the meantime, you can miss the real dangers.
As an integrative veterinarian, I discuss this with owners on a weekly basis. The confusion is understandable, but the fear is not always justified. It’s almost always about how much your animal has eaten, not so much what. Unless it concerns a handful of substances — because they are always dangerous, even in small quantities.
Straight to the vet — never wait for:
This article is educational. When in doubt, always call.
After taking ● Xylitol — in any quantity ● Grapes, raisins or sultanas ● Larger amount of dark chocolate ● Raw yeast dough ● Alcohol or human medication ● Feces from another animal (junk poop) | In case of complaints such as ● Convulsions or loss of coordination ● Trembling, weakness, or confusion ● Rapid deterioration ● Vomiting or diarrhea with drowsiness |
What is really dangerous, what is not so bad?
An honest overview in three categories.
Always dangerous XylitolIn Chewing Gum, Toothpaste, Sugar-Free Products Grapes & raisinsAlso organic — kidney damage possible Raw yeast doughYeast ferments in the stomach Dark chocolate & cocoaDose-dependent — small dog = high risk AlcoholAlso in bread dough and fruit juice Paracetamol in catsEven small amount is life-threatening | Be careful — context counts Onion & garlicHarmful in large or repeated amounts Macadamia nutsNeurotoxic, usually temporary Cream of tartarConcentrated: kidney damage possible Salt in large quantitiesSalt dough, craft clay — quickly harmful to small dogs Green potatoAvoiding green skin and suckers CaffeineCoffee, tea, energy drink | Often exaggerated Ripe tomatoNo problem — just avoid leaves and stems Sweet paprikaNo toxicological risk Avocado (pulp)Pit is the real danger MilkIntolerance possible, no poisoning Raw eggsIncidentally no problem — even valuable Strawberries &berries Safe in normal quantities |
Frequently heard stories — what is true about them?
Internet lists don’t distinguish between what’s really toxic and what’s just not ideal. Here are the most common misunderstandings — and an Easter special.
“Any chocolate is toxic to dogs.” Nuance needed — especially at Easter Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that can be dangerous for dogs. But the risk depends very much on the type. White chocolate contains virtually no cocoa — at most some gastrointestinal complaints. Milk chocolate contains a small amount of cocoa — a piece in a medium-sized dog is rarely an emergency. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are dangerous in a small dog. Dosage and body weight are decisive. “Raw eggs are dangerous.” Greatly exaggerated There are two points of attention: salmonella (in the case of contaminated eggs) and PFAS (in the case of contaminated soils). These risks are real, but they also apply to people. With eggs of good origin, raw eggs are nutritious. The egg itself provides proteins, fats and vitamins. The eggshell is an excellent source of calcium. And the eggshell membrane — the membrane on the inside — contains glucosamines and collagen precursors that support joints and connective tissue. “Tomato is poisonous to dogs.” Largely fable Ripe red tomato is no problem. The leaf and stem contain higher concentrations of a substance that can cause abdominal discomfort — but one tomato in a normal dog? No need to panic. “A crumb of garlic is already deadly.” Greatly exaggerated A little bit of garlic in a dish is almost never a problem. A whole clove daily as a supplement is — it affects the red blood cells. And the use of garlic against fleas has not been scientifically proven. There are better and less harmful alternatives available. | “Salt dough from the craft table is not dangerous.” Underestimated risk At Easter, there is salt dough or craft clay ready for the children on many tables — and that attracts dogs. But salt dough contains a lot of salt in a small amount. In dogs, a large intake can lead to salt toxicity: thirst, vomiting, confusion, muscle tremors and in severe cases brain problems. Keep craft materials out of reach of your dog. “Any raw dough is dangerous.” Largely fable Plain cookie dough without yeast? No toxicological problem. But raw bread dough or pizza dough with active yeast is a different story — yeast ferments in the warm stomach and produces CO₂ and alcohol. This can cause stomach distension and alcohol poisoning at the same time. That is dangerous. “Organic grapes are safe.” Dangerous misunderstanding The problem is in tartaric acid, a substance that is naturally present in the grape. Organic or not makes no difference. No grape, raisin or sultana is safe for dogs. “Avocado is life-threatening for dogs.” Greatly exaggerated Avocado has a lot to offer: the flesh contains 18 amino acids, a high concentration of vitamin B3 and healthy fatty acids that are good for skin and coat. The substance persin — where all fear comes from — is mainly found in the skin and the stone, not in the flesh. The pulp itself causes at most temporary gastrointestinal complaints in dogs in larger quantities. The wick can cause a blockage if swallowed — that’s the real risk. |
If your animal has eaten something suspicious
The first minutes and hours can be decisive. What helps — and what absolutely doesn’t.
Do it ● Call the vet immediately — even in the evenings or on weekends ● Write down what your animal has eaten, how much and when ● Keep the packaging or take a picture of the label ● Keep your animal calm and warm ● Follow the vet’s advice on whether or not to induce vomiting | Never do it ● No salt or salt water to induce vomiting—it’s dangerous ● Not giving milk as an “antidote”—this is a myth ● Do not vomit yourself with yeast dough, corrosive substances or drowsiness ● No waiting for complaints with grapes, xylitol or chocolate |
Fear doesn’t help — knowledge does
Most internet lists don’t distinguish between what’s really toxic, what’s just not ideal, and what’s not a problem at all. This confusion comes at a price: unnecessary fear of a piece of bell pepper and underestimation of a handful of raisins.
If you know what is really dangerous, you can react calmly if necessary — and you don’t have to be scared of every piece of ripe tomato that falls off the table.
Gut health Abdominal complaints after the wrong diet?The NGD Care Gut Protocol supports the recovery of the intestinal flora after a gastrointestinal disorder. | All supplements More about NGD Care supplements?Liposomal formulas for gut, skin, joints and immune system — for dogs and cats. |