Seven foods you should avoid feeding your dog

If your pet dog is anything like the pets on the Her.ie team, he or she is always looking for food.

Sniffing around the kitchen table, giving you puppy eyes while you cook and barking the house down when the food is ready. Here is a list of the foods you really shouldn't feed your pup no matter how many mournful glances they throw your way. Chocolate The chemicals caffeine and theobromine are found in chocolate and both of these are known to damage dogs' hearts and nervous systems. Our canines are unable to metabolise theobromine, causing it to build up in their systems. This can lead to vomiting, an irregular heartbeat, diarrhoea, restlessness and seizures. Grapes and raisins Both of these contain a toxin which can damage their kidneys. Excessive quantities can cause vomitting, diarrhoea and in severe cases, liver failure. Cheese Cheese is laden with fats that dogs find difficult to digest. When dogs eat cheese, they're likely to experience gas, vomitting and diarrhoea. Onions Research shows that onions have been known to damage the red blood cells of dogs, this may affect their energy levels, causing them to become weaker. Bacon Fatty-rich foods like bacon can cause pancreatitis in dogs. This condition causes inflammation and abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog might have pancreatitis, pay a visit to the vet for expert advice. Macadamia nuts and walnuts A relatively new discovery, macadamia nuts contain a toxin which can affect dogs adversely. Symptoms include high temperatures, tremors and fast heartbeats. Walnuts contain a fungus that is poisonous to dogs. Fruit pips, apple cores and seeds Some fruit pips contain cyanide, a poison which can cause death in dogs. It is also recommended that you avoid feeding dogs with any type of seed.