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Feeding Food Reviews Post Review   Tweet What you feed your dog is a very important part of pet care. Proper nutrition is essential to keep your dog healthy and to ward off and manage diseases. Commercial pet foods vary in their nutritional values. Remember, more expensive does not always mean the food is of a higher quality. Read the label - pet food ingredients are listed in much the same way as human foods, showing percentages of each ingredient. It is the proportion of all nutrients and ingredients (including water) that determines a food's nutritional value and palatability. If the ingredients are not listed or readily available for a dog food then ask yourself why. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines as to how much to feed, but also use your own judgement. Many foods state quantity based on the dogs weight (desired weight) but you also need to take into account the activity levels of your dog. Foods to avoid feeding to your dog Here are some foods to avoid feeding your dog in large quantities. Chocolate Chocolate contains theobromine which can cause increased heart rate, restlessness and vomiting. In large doses it may be fatal.     Grapes and Raisins Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause renal failure.     Onions May cause anaemia.     Garlic Garlic is also part of the onion family. In large doses it may cause dermatitis and asthma. Some owners, however, use garlic tablets as a natural flea repellent. Always follow doses carefully.     Milk & Dairy Products Lactose, which is found in milk and dairy products, is not digestible to dogs.     Fruit Fruit can be high in sugar and can also be acidic. This will upset your dog's digestion and is best avoided.     Potatoes Feeding potatoes is not recommended due to their high starch content, which is not very digestible to dogs and may cause problems.     Xylitol (artificial sweetener) The artificial sweetener Xylitol triggers a sudden release of insulin in dogs, causing a dramatic drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver damage. Xylitol is a sweetener used in many human products, especially sugar free foods plus sweets and cakes.     Other Dangers Toxic Plants and Flowers Many common household and garden plants and flowers can also be toxic to dogs, causing anything from skin irritations to severe poisoning and death. To find out more, read our Poisonous to Dogs - Toxic Plants and Flowers article.   Antifreeze Ethylene glycol toxicosis is a type of poisoning that occurs after ingestion of antifreeze or other fluids containing the ingredient ethylene glycol. Antifreeze is the most common source of ethylene glycol. Animal poisoning by antifreeze is worryingly common as antifreeze is often accessible to pets and animals and it tastes great too. Ethylene glycol poisoning can be fatal if not treated soon after ingestion (within 4 to 8 hours). Tweet