13 foods never to feed your dog

Like to indulge your dog? That's fine, as long as the treats you give are safe for Fido. And many foods that are safe for humans can be harmful or even deadly to dogs. Keep clicking to see the list of foods and substances that should be off-limits to dogs, prepared with help from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Alcohol

Think it would be funny to give your beagle a buzz? Maybe, but alcoholic beverages - and even alcohol-containing candies - can cause serious health problems for dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, and even death.

Artificially sweetened foods

Dogs, like people, can have a sweet tooth. But candy, chewing gum, breath fresheners, and baked goods made with the sugar substitute xylitol are a real no-no for them. Dogs who ingest lots of xylitol can experience a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination, seizures, and possible liver failure. As few as three pieces of xylitol-sweetened gum containing might be enough to kill a 20-pound dog.

Avocados

Guacamole and chips might be a great combination, but avocados and dogs is combination to be avoided. Avocados contain persin, a toxin that cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Keep the avocado pit away from your pooch, too, because it could block his/her digestive tract.

Chocolate

Chocolate can be deadly for your dog - and the darker it is, the more dangerous it is. Unsweetened cocoa powder contains the highest concentration of the offending chemical components, which include the methylxanthine theobromine. And two ounces of dark chocolate or 20 ounces of milk chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and rapid heart rate in a 20-pound dog. In addition to some caffeine, chocolate contains the methylxanthine theobromine.

Coffee and tea

A morning cup of joe might be the norm for people, but coffee products (grounds, beans, etc.) are dicey for dogs. Coffee and tea contains caffeine and similar substances (known as methylxanthines) that, if ingested by your pooch, can cause vomiting and diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Dough

A bit of bread probably won't hurt your dog. But if your dog snags a bit of dough, it could "rise" inside its stomach and intestines. The resulting build-up of intestinal gas can be painful - and could even cause your dog's stomach or intestines to rupture.

Fatty food

A steady diet of fatty food can make your dog fat, just as it can make humans fat. An estimated 35 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight, and 21 percent obese. And fatty food can give your dog pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas.

Garlic

Garlic can cause stomach irritation and anemia when ingested by dogs. The small amounts of garlic in garlic-flavored pet food and treats probably won't cause any trouble, but don't give a dog lots of garlic.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney failure in dogs - though veterinarians still aren't sure exactly what the toxin is. Even a few raisins or grapes is enough to cause significant kidney damage.

Macadamia nuts

Macadamias can cause vomiting, tremors, and even depression in dogs. In some cases, even a single handful of the nuts can weaken dogs' hind legs.

Onions

Like garlic, onions can irritate a dog's gastrointestinal tract. What's more, they contain compounds that are toxic to red blood cells - and dogs that eat them can develop severe anemia.

Salt

Eating even a little salt can make your dog excessively thirsty and cause frequent urination. Large amounts can cause sodium poisoning, a condition that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures, and even death. So whether it's from a shaker or your favorite chip, keep the salt on your plate and away from your dog.