It's not only raisins but generally grapes.
Hazardous food too are:
Onions
Nuts (esp. walnuts can be lethal)
Chocolate (lethal !)
Most fungi

EDIT:
Almost forgot:
potatoes (raw)
spiced (especially salted) meat
chicken bones (not poisonous, but they perforate the intestines)
etc.

Salted meat? I give my dog beef jerky everytime we go hiking and never seems to have a problem?

Quoting kemper:

Quote:
Nothing but Science Diet for Maximus and Aleksandr

Does Science Diet still contain BHA and BHT, 2 possible carcinogens? It did a few years ago.

My Mum read a list similar to those mentioned just before Christmas... not that I advocate anyone to ignore medical advice but if it were all as dangerous as they seem to make out our first dog would have died more times than I can count... for a start eating every single one of my brother's (carefully laid out for his return from Church) Easter Eggs one year and he loved grapes. Of course reading Lithurge's article the fact that the dog in question was a good 90-100 lbs plus would have helped him!

I don't go for Science Diet, it's trash food IMHO, same as about anything you buy at grocery stores.  If it lists corn or rice near the top as a main ingredient, you're being had.  That stuff is 100% filler and cats can't digest it.

I've been feeding my nine cats Felidae and they all love it and are quite healthy.

Hi Guys,

A deadly poison for pets, and they all like it, is anti-freeze. A small amount leaking from your radiator is enough to kill.

Excellent post, Herr Kahless, Lithurge, Goblinsdoitall, Srehtims regarding chocolate!

Regarding grapes see: Here

Antares - Regarding BHA & BHT possible carcinogens, this in IMO is an unfair post, alarm or scare tactic, which should require much more proof, before being thrown out. Nothing sold in the USA for pet food, contains anything, that has not been FDA approved, for human consumption. Both BHA & BHT are food preservatives, & keep food from going rancid. BHA & BHT consume ravenous amount of 'Free Radicals' which can be linked to many harmful conditions.

Back in 1950 ~ 80's - Common foods were Alpo, Dr. Ross, which would probably be considered junk food by today's standards. Wall Street has figured out how to exploit pet owners; just look at pet supermarkets (PETCO etc). One common concern of vet's everywhere, is overweight pets, (mirrors humans), hence the presence of more exotic pet foods. Perhaps more play time for fido would help.

Take Care
Rico

Excerpted from a recent National Geographic issue:

ALCOHOL - it depresses brain function and can cause coma.

COFFEE - the caffeine in a cup of coffee is a methylxanthine compound that increases a dogs heart rate and triggers seizures.

CHOCOLATE - the chemical theobromine is fatal. Three ounces of dark or seven of milk can bring on vomiting in a 50lb dog.

MACADAMIA NUTS - produces tremors and paralysis, especially in the hind quarters.

GARLIC - breaks down a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia and kidney failure from leaking hemoglobin.

ONIONS - damage to canine hemoglobin is cumulative, so small tastes over time can be worse than wolfing down a whole bulb.

GRAPES - toxicologists have found that grapes and raisins can cause renal failure.

PET THREATS - this year pet food contaminated with melamine caused kidney failure and other problems. Ordinary human foods can also be dangerous to dogs, and the list of potentially hazardous items is growing.  Eric Dunayer, senior toxicologist at the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Illinois indicates the center's hotline fielded roughly 116,000 calls. Nearly 200 asked about xylitol, a sugar substitute gaining popularity in baked goods, candy, and gum. "We often see vomiting, followed by weakness, staggering, collapse, and seizures as blood sugar drops."

---

In a similar vein, recently my vet recommended Kangaroo as a primary protein to effectively combat my dog's allergic reactions, since neither North American nor European breeds were ever exposed to it over the centuries.  Pity that the only maker I can find is IAMS (I have always tended towards Merrick or VanPatten as very very good producers, alas no Kangaroo to be found in them).  I wonder if I can import Kangaroo meat and whip it up myself?

Similarly, for treats: rawhide, beef or pork bones were banned - a result of chemical leftovers and genetic/hormonal engineering for growth in the beef/pork industries? 

Interestingly in the vegetable dept., of all things?  Raw carrots were strongly encouraged, being deemed quite safe with a plus for nutrient and fiber value.

Go figure...

Quoting davidperez:

Quote:
Salted meat? I give my dog beef jerky everytime we go hiking and never seems to have a problem?

Quoting Unicus69:

Quote:
My dog has eaten chocolate without any problems.  I guess some dogs are different.

You guys probaly only think you own dogs. In truth, you're probably sheltering some alien life-form that's secretely preparing an invasion of our planet....