15 Foods & Drinks That Are Unsafe for Dogs and Cats
(What every pet parent, and caretaker, should know)
Sharing food with your pet may feel like an act of love, but some everyday foods and drinks can be extremely dangerous for dogs and cats. Whether it’s a curious lick from your coffee cup or a dropped snack from the dinner table, even small amounts of the wrong food can lead to serious health issues.
Here’s a quick, essential guide to common foods and drinks that are unsafe for both dogs and cats.
Chocolate:
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to pets. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous.
Risks: Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, heart problems, even death.
Grapes & Raisins:
Even a few grapes or raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Cats are less likely to eat them, but they’re still unsafe.
Risks: Lethargy, vomiting, kidney damage.
Onions & Garlic:
Raw, cooked, powdered, or in any form, onions and garlic damage red blood cells.
Risks: Anemia, weakness, breathing issues.
Alcohol:
Alcohol is highly toxic to pets, even in tiny amounts.
Risks: Vomiting, disorientation, breathing failure, coma.
Caffeine (Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks):
Caffeine overstimulates the nervous system and heart.
Risks: Restlessness, tremors, elevated heart rate, seizures.
Xylitol (Sugar-Free Gum, Candy):
This artificial sweetener is extremely dangerous for dogs.
Risks: Sudden drop in blood sugar, liver failure, collapse.
Avocado:
Avocados contain a person, which can upset your pet’s stomach and cause breathing problems.
Risks: Vomiting, diarrhea, breathing distress.
Coofied Bones:
Cooked bones splinter easily and can puncture internal organs.
Risks: Choking, intestinal blockage, internal injuries.
Mithai & Indian Sweets (Gulab Jamun, Rasgulla, Ladoo, Barfi):
High sugar, ghee, and often xylitol in “sugar-free” versions.
Risks: Obesity, pancreatitis, blood sugar spikes, digestive upset.
Spicy Foods (Chaat, Curries, Pickles, Chutneys):
Spices and chillies irritate your pet’s stomach and intestines.
Risks: Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dehydration.
Fried Snacks (Samosa, Pafiora, Bhujia, Chips):
High fat and salt content.
Risks: Pancreatitis, bloating, digestive distress.
Roti, Naan, Paratha Dough (especially raw dough):
Raw dough can expand in the stomach and ferment into alcohol.
Risks: Bloating, alcohol poisoning, intestinal obstruction.
Rhubarb:
Rhubarb leaves (and sometimes stalks) contain oxalates that are toxic to pets.
Risks: Drooling, vomiting, kidney damage, tremors, and in severe cases, collapse.
Mushrooms (some species):
Wild and certain store-bought mushrooms can be toxic to pets.
Risks: Vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
How StarTag Helps, Especially in India
In Indian households, pets are often around family meals, festivals, and street snacks.
Accidental feeding happens more often than we realise. A dropped snack. A well-meaning treat. A sitter who didn’t know better.
By staying informed, and by keeping your pet’s StarTag profile updated, you’re giving your dog or cat an extra layer of protection, wherever they go and whoever is caring for them.
Buy StarTag to keep your pet’s medical details safe, accessible, and always with them.