Kitchen foods that are poisonous to dogs and cats

Some of the most common foods in a kitchen can make a dog or a cat seriously ill. If a pet eats one, note how much, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

The foods to keep away

• Xylitol, a sweetener also sold as birch sugar or wood sugarIn dogs it can drop blood sugar within 10 to 60 minutes and can damage the liver. Signs start with vomiting, then weakness, staggering, collapse and seizures.
• Chocolate, coffee and caffeineThey can cause vomiting, hyperactivity, an abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures. The darker the chocolate, the higher the risk, and baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst.
• Grapes and raisinsThey can damage a dog's kidneys.
• Onions, garlic and chivesThey can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Cats are more susceptible, and dogs are at risk if they eat enough.
• Macadamia nutsIn dogs they cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and a high temperature, usually within 12 hours.
• Alcohol, and raw yeast doughDough can rise in the stomach and make it bloat and twist, and the yeast makes alcohol as it ferments.
• Raw meat, raw eggs and bonesRaw meat and eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli, and bones can injure or block the gut.
• Salty foodsToo much salt can cause vomiting, tremors and seizures.
• Almonds, pecans and walnutsThey're high in fat and oils, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes pancreatitis.
• Milk and dairyPets have little of the enzyme that digests milk, so dairy can cause diarrhea.

Where xylitol hides

• Sugar-free gum, mints and candyMany reports of dogs poisoned by xylitol involved chewing gum.
• ToothpasteUse pet toothpaste on a pet, never toothpaste made for people.
• Some peanut butters and other nut butters
• Sugar-free desserts and baked goodsHome bakers and in-store bakeries sometimes use xylitol in place of sugar.
• Any label that says sugar-free or low sugarCheck the ingredients, and keep anything with xylitol where a dog can't reach it, counters included.

If a dog eats xylitol

Take the dog to your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away. Some dogs don't show serious effects for 12 to 24 hours, so a dog may need to stay in the hospital to be watched. Xylitol doesn't seem to be as dangerous for cats. Ferrets can get low blood sugar and seizures from it, the way dogs do.