- Artificial Flavours: Artificial flavors are rarely used in pet foods. The major exception to that would be artificial smoke or bacon flavors, which are added to some treats. 

- Chemical Preservatives : Avoid dog food or treats that contain preservatives such as Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Ethoxyquin.  

- Chocolate/Caffeine : Keep out of reach of such foods from your dogs.  Symptoms occur with the ingestion of 45 mg per pound of body weight. Theobromine deaths have been reported after ingestion of 52 mg per pound of body weight.  Caffeine is toxic at about 63 mg per pound of body weight. 

- Corn, Soy, Sesame, Sunflower and Safflower oils: Avoid using all commercial brands of polyunsaturated vegetable oils as they are chemically unstable resulting in toxic compounds that can damage DNA and cell membranes, promoting cancer, inflammation, and degenerative changes in tissue.  

- Soy : Dogs with allergy to soy may find their dogs with itchy, flaky skin and a dull coat and may cause bloat in dogs as it is also a gas producing product.  

- Dairy Products e.g. butter, cream, milk : these are high in fat and cause dogs to be unhealthily overweight. Dogs who are lactose intolerant can also have severe diarrhea. 

- Pork : some dogs are prone to allergic reaction from pork.  But if your dog reacts well with it, it is ok to include in their diet but they must be cooked. 

- Sugar : Primary trigger of excessive shedding, weight problems, diabetic conditions and behavioural problems in dogs.  Excessive amounts can also lead to diabetes, obesity and dental problems.   

- Salt : Can cause kidney problems and causes dogs to shed excessively and may lead to electrolyte imbalance. 

- Nuts : Some dogs have allergies to nuts. Also, Many nuts are generally bad for dogs as their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones, especially walnuts. They are poisonous to dogs and at all accounts should be avoided. 

- Peanut Butter / Peanuts : These are high in fat and can cause allergies in dogs 

- Onions : These can cause anaemia in dogs  

- Bacon or bacon bits : These are high in salt and fat. 

- Tuna : Tuna contains mercury which is harmful to dogs. - Raisins and grapes : Are toxic to dogs. Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.  Symptoms can include gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea to life-threatening kidney failure which starts about 24 hours after ingestion.  The amount of grapes ingested in these cases varied between 9 oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight. 

- Night shade vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, capsicums) : They are known to be toxic to dogs. This vegetable contains atropine, which can cause dilated pupils, tremors, and heart arrhythmias. 

- Mashrooms: Some species are known to be toxic to dogs.  As we do not know the acceptable species, best to avoid all mushrooms.  

- Alcohol: Some pet owners let their pets drink alcohol occasionally.  I prefer not to as our pet is much smaller in size and weight, they get toxic effect faster then humans. e.g. liver condition in the long run. So do not risk it!