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Pumpkin spice season may be your favorite time of year, but did you know many classic fall foods can actually be dangerous for your dog?
Fall brings a range of seasonal foods, including sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and apple desserts, among others. But what may be delicious for us may be harmful to our dogs!
In this article, we'll highlight the fall foods toxic to dogs, as well as the safe ones they can indulge in, and how you can keep your dog healthy this season.
RELATED: 8 Fall Dangers for Dogs and Cats
7 Common Fall Foods Toxic to Dogs
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are common fall ingredients found in stuffing, salads, baked goods, and trail mixes. Unfortunately, they're highly toxic to dogs.
Eating even just one or two grapes or raisins can cause serious health problems for your pup!
Grapes contain substances like tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate that can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Dogs have a limited ability to process and excrete these substances, which leads to a buildup and, later, can cause harm to their bodies.
Raisins, being grapes in dried form, retain these substances still. What's worse, they're also higher in calories and concentrated in sugar, with some store-bought ones containing additives and preservatives.
Onions, Garlic, and Chives
Onions, garlic, and chives are common ingredients in many homemade meals, especially in the fall, when stews and roasts are more popular.
Apart from their culinary uses, chives, as a cool-season garden herb, also thrive in fall and winter. If you keep this plant in your kitchen or backyard, it's best to keep your dog away from it.
Raw, cooked, or concentrated forms of onions and garlic can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs due to the thiosulfates and N-propyl disulfide they contain.
Dogs cannot digest these sulfur-containing compounds, which can damage and destroy red blood cells faster than the body can replace.
Chocolate and Cocoa in Halloween Candies
Chocolates and cocoa in any form are a big no-no for dogs. And unfortunately for them, sweet treats like these are everywhere in fall, especially around Halloween time!
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which a dog's body cannot digest or break down. Dark chocolates are concentrated with these substances, which makes them more dangerous to dogs.
Some effects of chocolate on dogs include an increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and, in severe cases, death.
RELATED: What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate (Home Remedy)
Nuts (Walnuts, Macadamia, Pecans)
Technically, not all nuts are toxic to dogs.
Peanuts, hazelnuts, roasted (not raw!) cashews, and pine nuts are all okay for dogs when given unseasoned and sparingly. Their high fat content can also be harmful, so precaution is still a must.
However, some nuts must be avoided at all costs as they are highly toxic to dogs, including walnuts, macadamia, and pecans, all popular fall ingredients for pies and cakes.
Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, inability to walk, vomiting, and tremor, and the symptoms can appear within 12 hours.
Walnuts and pecans tend to mold more quickly than other nuts, and these molds, which the naked eye can't see, can cause nerve damage and gastrointestinal issues.
RELATED: Adding Nuts to Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Nutmeg (or Pumpkin Spice)
Nutmeg is another popular fall spice that complements sweet and savory dishes well, like pies, baked goods, and soups, thanks to its nutty flavor and aroma.
However, unlike cinnamon, nutmeg can be toxic to dogs because of the myristicin and elemycin compounds it contains, which can cause hallucinations, seizures, and tremors.
Even small amounts can be problematic, so it's crucial to keep all nutmeg and nutmeg-containing foods (including pumpkin spice!) away from dogs.
Alcohol (Cider, Beer, Wine)
Just like with most substances from toxic foods in this list, dogs are also not able to process alcohol in their body, which can lead to severe toxicity even from just small amounts.
If you're making spiked apple cider or often drink beer and wine, keep them away from your dog at all costs!
Alcohol can cause serious health complications, such as a drop in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature.
RELATED: Beer By-Product Being Turned Into Brew Chews for Dogs
Dough with Yeast
If you're baking fresh bread, make sure to shoo your dog away from the yeast dough you're working on.
When ingested, the warm, moist environment in a dog's stomach can cause the yeast to ferment further, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide gas.
These gases can cause stomach bloat, also known as Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GVD), which can be fatal to dogs.
It can also cause alcohol intoxication when the ethanol gets absorbed in the bloodstream.
RELATED: Can Dogs Eat Bread: 15 Bread Types (Safe or Not?)
5 Fall Foods Dogs Can Safely Eat
Pumpkin (Plain, Cooked, or Puree)
If you haven't noticed yet, we love pumpkin for our homemade dog food recipes! (Check them out here!)
Pumpkin is good for dogs because it's rich in fiber and essential vitamins like A, C, and E, which can help promote digestive health and boost the immune system, and eye, skin, and coat conditions.
It's also a versatile ingredient that can be added to homemade dog treats, dog meals, or as a topper to kibble!
Sweet Potatoes
Another highly nutritious and flavorful fall food for dogs is sweet potatoes. These are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, like Vitamins A, B6, C, potassium, iron, and manganese.
It's also a versatile ingredient that can be added to most dishes, but the safest and healthiest way to cook it is when cooked plain, with no butter, sugar, or marshmallows.
If you need sweet potato recipe ideas for your dog, you can click here for our recipes!
Apples
This shouldn't come as a surprise because we all know what they say about apples and doctors, right?
Apples are low in calories and fat, but are high in beneficial vitamins A & C, fiber, and antioxidants. Also, apples don't only benefit dogs when eaten; the fibrous texture can also help clean their teeth and freshen their breath.
Just make sure to remove the seeds and core because these are potential choking hazards and contain a small amount of cyanide compounds.
Carrots and Green Beans
Both carrots and green beans are popular ingredients when making casseroles. The good news is these are also healthy, low-calorie fall foods for your dog.
Dogs love munching on these veggies because of their crunchy texture.
You can boil, steam, roast, or serve them raw, but always make sure they're unseasoned and cut into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking.
Turkey (Plain, Cooked, No Bones or Skin)
Roasted turkey is one of the quintessential fall foods served on Thanksgiving, although turkey meat is popular and widely eaten all year round.
Luckily for dogs, turkey can actually be a healthy source of lean protein, but be wary of the fatty skin and bones because those can be dangerous for them.
Fall Foods Toxic for Dogs: FAQs
What should I do if my dog eats something toxic in the fall?
Call your vet or a pet poison hotline (like ASPCA Animal Poison Control) immediately!
Don’t try to make your dog vomit unless instructed. Fast action can prevent serious health issues.
RELATED: What You Need to Know About Poison Prevention for Dogs
Can dogs eat Thanksgiving leftovers?
Some plain, unseasoned items, such as turkey meat, green beans, or sweet potatoes, are fine in small amounts.
Avoid bones, skin, gravy, stuffing, onions, and any food containing garlic or spices.
Too many rich foods can cause stomach issues or pancreatitis.
RELATED: Thanksgiving Dinner for Dogs Recipe with Leftovers
Which Halloween candies are the most dangerous for dogs?
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is very toxic to dogs.
Xylitol (a sugar substitute in gum and sugar-free candy) can be deadly, and raisins or candy with macadamia nuts should also be avoided.
Always keep candy out of their reach!
Are there safe homemade fall treats I can make for my dog?
Yes! You can make treats using dog-safe ingredients like pumpkin, peanut butter (xylitol-free), oats, and apples.
Just be sure to avoid sugar, spices, and artificial sweeteners.
Homemade snacks are a fun, healthy way to include your pup in fall festivities.
Fall Foods Toxic to Dogs: Before You Go…
With all the excitement surrounding the arrival of autumn, as well as the upcoming holidays, don't forget to be mindful of what you serve, because some fall foods are toxic to dogs.
Make sure to give your dog treats in moderation and practice safe methods when preparing them, and consult with your vet before introducing new seasonal foods!
Want to learn more about fall safety and foods dogs can and can't eat? Check out our recommended articles below!
