Dog Food Toxicity Chart (India): What Dogs Can & Can't Eat
A quick, vet-reviewed reference to what dogs can and cannot eat — built for Indian households. Every one of our 576 food guides is rated Safe, Caution or Avoid, with the toxic foods and their danger thresholds in the table below. Tap any food for the full guide with portions and emergency advice.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananya Sharma, BVSc & AH (Veterinary Council of India) · Last updated June 2026 · Free to share with credit to dogeats.in
Toxic Foods & Danger Doses (vet-sourced)
There is no safe amount of these foods — but the thresholds below show how little it can take. Figures from the Merck Veterinary Manual, ASPCA Animal Poison Control and peer-reviewed veterinary toxicology.
| Food | How it harms | Danger threshold |
|---|---|---|
| ❌ Chocolate | Theobromine — heart & nervous system | Signs from ~20 mg theobromine/kg; dark chocolate ~5.5 mg/g, so ~18 g dark can harm a 5 kg dog |
| ❌ Onion (pyaaz) | Thiosulphate → Heinz-body haemolytic anaemia | ~15–30 g/kg; cumulative, signs delayed 1–3 days |
| ❌ Garlic (lehsun) | Same as onion, ~5× stronger | ~5 g/kg (about one large clove per 1 kg) |
| ❌ Grapes / Raisins / Tamarind | Tartaric acid → acute kidney injury | No safe dose — idiosyncratic; signs within 72 hours |
| ❌ Xylitol (sugar-free) | Rapid insulin release; liver failure | Hypoglycaemia >100 mg/kg; liver failure >500 mg/kg |
| ❌ Caffeine (chai / coffee) | Methylxanthine — heart & CNS | Signs ~20 mg/kg; one cup can harm a dog under ~6 kg |
| ❌ Macadamia nuts | Unknown toxin — hind-leg weakness | Signs from ~2.4 g/kg, within 3–12 hours |
Call your vet or the nearest 24×7 animal hospital immediately. Note what was eaten, how much, and when; keep any wrapper. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
- CUPA Bangalore 080-22947301
- PFA Delhi 011-45615915
- Blue Cross Chennai 044-22350586
- Jeevana Mumbai 022-24373837
❌ Foods Dogs Should Never Eat (68)
⚠️ Give With Caution — Plain & Occasional Only (360)
Mostly cooked Indian and restaurant dishes: the base may be fine, but added salt, oil, onion, garlic, chilli or sugar make the dish unsafe. Share only a plain portion set aside before seasoning.
✅ Generally Safe in Plain, Moderate Amounts (148)
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Food Hazards (Toxicology)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Pet Health
- Reviewed by Dr. Ananya Sharma, BVSc & AH, Veterinary Council of India
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