Reference guide
Foods Dogs Can't Eat in Australia — The Complete Toxic Foods List
Some of the most dangerous foods for dogs are common in Australian homes and backyard gardens. Know what to keep away.
Top 3 deadly foods
Xylitol (sugar-free gum and peanut butter — deadly in tiny amounts), grapes/sultanas (kidney failure), and dark chocolate
Australian specifics
macadamia nuts (common in AU chocolates and trail mixes), blue-green algae in summer dams, sultanas in seasonal baked goods
Emergency
APCA Poison Hotline 1300 678 222 — 24/7, every day of the year. Save it in your phone now.
Key numbers
- <1 tsp
- of xylitol that can be lethal to a small dog — it's in common sugar-free products
- 3–4
- grapes is enough to trigger kidney failure in some dogs — no safe dose exists
- 1300 678 222
- APCA Poison Hotline — 24/7 guidance on whether your dog needs emergency treatment
5 kg dog
- Toxic dose of xylitol
- 0.5 g
- What contains that amount
- A few pieces of sugar-free gum
10 kg dog
- Toxic dose of xylitol
- 1 g
- What contains that amount
- One spoonful of some sugar-free peanut butters
25 kg dog
- Toxic dose of xylitol
- 2.5 g
- What contains that amount
- A small pack of Tic Tacs
| Dog size | Toxic dose of xylitol | What contains that amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg dog | 0.5 g | A few pieces of sugar-free gum |
| 10 kg dog | 1 g | One spoonful of some sugar-free peanut butters |
| 25 kg dog | 2.5 g | A small pack of Tic Tacs |
White chocolate
- Theobromine level
- Very low
- Dangerous amount for 10 kg dog
- Would need to eat kilograms
- Risk level
- 🟢 Low
Milk chocolate
- Theobromine level
- Low–moderate
- Dangerous amount for 10 kg dog
- About 250 g causes symptoms
- Risk level
- 🟡 Moderate
Dark chocolate (70%+)
- Theobromine level
- High
- Dangerous amount for 10 kg dog
- About 50 g causes symptoms
- Risk level
- 🔴 High
Cocoa powder / baking chocolate
- Theobromine level
- Very high
- Dangerous amount for 10 kg dog
- Even 10–15 g can cause toxicity
- Risk level
- 🔴 Extreme
| Chocolate type | Theobromine level | Dangerous amount for 10 kg dog | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| White chocolate | Very low | Would need to eat kilograms | 🟢 Low |
| Milk chocolate | Low–moderate | About 250 g causes symptoms | 🟡 Moderate |
| Dark chocolate (70%+) | High | About 50 g causes symptoms | 🔴 High |
| Cocoa powder / baking chocolate | Very high | Even 10–15 g can cause toxicity | 🔴 Extreme |
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A chocolate biscuit, a handful of sultanas from the Christmas cake, a lick of sugar-free peanut butter. Any of these can kill a dog. Some work within 30 minutes. Others cause organ damage over 24–48 hours with no immediate symptoms. This is the complete guide to toxic foods for Australian dogs — including the hidden ones unique to our diet and environment.
Xylitol — The Hidden Killer in Australian Pantries
- ⚠️ Sugar-free gum (Orbit, Listerine, Airwaves)
- Very high xylitol content — even 1–2 pieces can be fatal for small dogs
- ⚠️ Some peanut butter brands (Pip & Nut, some US imports)
- Always check ingredients — "xylitol" may not be obvious. Use only plain peanut butter
- ⚠️ Sugar-free mints and breath strips
- Often contain high xylitol concentration in small packages — keep out of reach
- ⚠️ Protein powders and supplements
- Some human fitness products use xylitol as a sweetener — never let dogs access these
- ⚠️ Some vitamins and medications
- Chewable supplements and some children's medicines may contain xylitol
Grapes and Sultanas — Kidney Failure Risk
- 🎄 Christmas cake and pudding
- Common in Australian households December–January — extremely high sultana/raisin content
- 🐣 Hot cross buns (October–April)
- Sultana-loaded and widely available — never leave accessible to dogs
- 🍞 Fruit bread and fruit mince pies
- Both contain raisins or sultanas — same toxicity risk as grapes
- 🥗 Trail mix and dried fruit snacks
- Often contains raisins — check all trail mix ingredients before letting dogs near
Chocolate: How Much Is Dangerous?
- 🍫 Easter eggs
- Peak risk period — chocolate often left accessible throughout the home
- ☕ Hot chocolate powder
- High cocoa content — even a half-cup of powder is dangerous for small dogs
- 🍰 Chocolate cake and brownies
- Often use cocoa or dark chocolate — portion size is deceptively concentrated
- 🥜 Chocolate-covered macadamias
- Double hazard — both chocolate and macadamia nuts are toxic
The Full Toxic Foods Table
Xylitol
- Toxic dose (approx)
- <1 g for small dogs
- Symptoms
- Collapse, seizures, hypoglycemia — within 30 min
- Risk level
- 🔴 Extreme
Grapes / sultanas / raisins
- Toxic dose (approx)
- Any amount
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure — 24–48 hrs
- Risk level
- 🔴 Extreme
Dark chocolate / cocoa
- Toxic dose (approx)
- 10–15 g/kg
- Symptoms
- Heart arrhythmias, tremors, seizures
- Risk level
- 🔴 High
Macadamia nuts
- Toxic dose (approx)
- 1.7 g/kg body weight
- Symptoms
- Weakness, tremors, inability to walk
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
Onion / garlic / leek
- Toxic dose (approx)
- Cumulative (15–30g/day)
- Symptoms
- Anaemia, lethargy, pale gums — develops over days
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
Cooked bones
- Toxic dose (approx)
- Any amount
- Symptoms
- Splinters — intestinal blockage or perforation
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
Yeast / raw dough
- Toxic dose (approx)
- Large amounts
- Symptoms
- Bloat, internal burns from fermentation
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
Alcohol
- Toxic dose (approx)
- 0.5 mL/kg
- Symptoms
- Drunkenness, seizures, coma
- Risk level
- 🔴 Extreme
Caffeine
- Toxic dose (approx)
- 150 mg/kg
- Symptoms
- Tremors, rapid heart rate
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
Nutmeg
- Toxic dose (approx)
- 1 teaspoon
- Symptoms
- Hallucinations, tremors, seizures
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
Avocado (flesh)
- Toxic dose (approx)
- 10–20 g
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis risk
- Risk level
- 🟡 Moderate
Stone fruit pits (apricot, peach)
- Toxic dose (approx)
- Any amount
- Symptoms
- Cyanide poisoning, blockage
- Risk level
- 🟠 High
| Food | Toxic dose (approx) | Symptoms | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xylitol | <1 g for small dogs | Collapse, seizures, hypoglycemia — within 30 min | 🔴 Extreme |
| Grapes / sultanas / raisins | Any amount | Vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure — 24–48 hrs | 🔴 Extreme |
| Dark chocolate / cocoa | 10–15 g/kg | Heart arrhythmias, tremors, seizures | 🔴 High |
| Macadamia nuts | 1.7 g/kg body weight | Weakness, tremors, inability to walk | 🟠 High |
| Onion / garlic / leek | Cumulative (15–30g/day) | Anaemia, lethargy, pale gums — develops over days | 🟠 High |
| Cooked bones | Any amount | Splinters — intestinal blockage or perforation | 🟠 High |
| Yeast / raw dough | Large amounts | Bloat, internal burns from fermentation | 🟠 High |
| Alcohol | 0.5 mL/kg | Drunkenness, seizures, coma | 🔴 Extreme |
| Caffeine | 150 mg/kg | Tremors, rapid heart rate | 🟠 High |
| Nutmeg | 1 teaspoon | Hallucinations, tremors, seizures | 🟠 High |
| Avocado (flesh) | 10–20 g | Vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis risk | 🟡 Moderate |
| Stone fruit pits (apricot, peach) | Any amount | Cyanide poisoning, blockage | 🟠 High |
Australian-Specific Hazards
- 🥜 Macadamia nuts
- Native to Australia — found in local chocolates, trail mixes, and backyard trees. Cause weakness and tremors
- 💧 Blue-green algae in dams and lakes
- Appears as green/blue scum on still water in summer. Toxin causes liver failure and death within hours. Never let dogs swim in or drink from affected water
- 🎄 Seasonal baked goods
- Christmas cake, hot cross buns, Anzac biscuits, fruit bread — all contain sultanas. Peak risk around Christmas and Easter
- 🌺 Garden plants
- Sago palm, oleander, and brunfelsia (yesterday-today-tomorrow) are common in Australian gardens and extremely toxic to dogs
Safe Human Foods — What Dogs CAN Eat
- 🥕 Carrots
- Safe — great low-calorie treat, good for teeth. Raw or cooked (no seasoning)
- 🥜 Plain peanut butter
- Safe if xylitol-free — check ingredients every time you buy a new brand
- 🍉 Watermelon
- Safe with seeds removed — excellent for hydration on hot Australian days
- 🥚 Eggs
- Safe — high protein, good for skin and coat. Cook without butter or oil
- 🍗 Plain chicken or beef
- Safe — cook without bones, fat, seasoning. Good training treat
- 🍚 Plain rice
- Safe — easy to digest, good for upset stomachs
Your Dog Ate Something Toxic — Act Now
Act within minutes — speed determines outcome
- 1
Call APCA Poison Hotline: 1300 678 222
Available 24/7, every day including public holidays. Have ready: the food name, estimated amount eaten, your dog's weight, and the time of ingestion. They'll tell you if emergency vet care is needed and whether to induce vomiting.
- 2
Go to the nearest emergency vet immediately if symptoms appear
Vomiting, lethargy, tremors, difficulty breathing, collapse, or seizures = emergency vet now. Don't wait to see if it gets worse. Do NOT induce vomiting unless specifically directed — for some toxins, vomiting makes it worse.
- 3
Bring what they ate (or a photo of the label)
The vet needs to know exactly what the toxin was. Bring the packaging, a photo of the ingredients list, or a description. Ingredient information determines the treatment protocol.
Emergency Ready
PAW by Blackmores Pet First Aid Kit
Complete Australian pet first aid kit with emergency essentials. Keep at home and one in the car. Includes a pocket guide for common emergencies including poisoning.
- Gauze, bandages, antiseptic
- Digital thermometer
- Emergency contact cards
- Pocket first aid guide
Common questions
My dog ate a single chocolate chip. Is it poisoned?
Probably not. A single chip has tiny amounts of theobromine. A 10 kg dog would need to eat about 70 g of milk chocolate to show symptoms. Monitor for vomiting, tremors, or rapid heartbeat over the next 6 hours. If symptoms appear, call the poison hotline. A single chip by itself is unlikely to cause harm.
What's the number for the poison hotline?
APCA Poison Hotline: 1300 678 222. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including Christmas and public holidays. Have ready: food type, amount, dog's weight, time of ingestion. They'll tell you if emergency vet care is needed.
Can I give my dog raw bones?
Raw meaty bones (chicken necks, raw marrow bones) are generally safe under supervision. Never give cooked bones — they splinter and cause intestinal blockage or perforation, which requires emergency surgery. When in doubt, give rubber chew toys instead.
Is garlic safe for dogs in small amounts?
No. Even small amounts of garlic (and onion) damage red blood cells over time. A single clove probably won't cause acute poisoning, but regular consumption builds up and causes anaemia. Avoid completely — the supposed immune benefits are not supported by veterinary evidence.
My dog ate grapes. What do I do?
Call the APCA Poison Hotline immediately: 1300 678 222. Even a few grapes can trigger kidney failure in some dogs. The hotline will advise on emergency vet care. Watch for vomiting, lethargy, reduced urination, and dark urine over the next 24–48 hours even if your dog seems fine initially.
Are raisins and sultanas the same toxicity as grapes?
Yes — and possibly more concentrated. Sultanas and raisins should be treated with the same urgency as grapes. Christmas cake, hot cross buns, Anzac biscuits — all are dangerous. If your dog eats any amount, call the poison hotline immediately.