We love our dogs. . .but just like kids they can get into things they should not eat. This is the first of 4 lists of ‘10 Things You Should Not Feed your Dog'.

Here is the first list of 10 food items that you should never feed your dog:

1. Chocolate
2. Onions
3. Tomato stems or leaves
4. Pits from peaches or plums
5. Raisins
6. Rhubarb leaves
7. Sugary foods
8. Tobacco
9. Bones
10. Nuts

First and most importantly everything you feed your dog should be in moderation; yet, these are 10 food items that you should not give your dog.

Yes, I am sure that some dogs have eaten some of the above items and lived to tell about it. . .without harmful side effects. However, purpose of theses articles to help dog owners become aware of the items that should not be given to our beloved buddies and the reasons why! We believe it safest to err on the side of caution, that is why our lists are so stringent. Always, always, check with your vet first!

Now for the reasons WHY you should not feed your dog--

Chocolate - chocolate, especially baker's chocolate is dangerous to dogs. Cats are mostly unaffected since they do not like the taste of chocolate; however, dogs love it. Chocolate contains various chemicals which are called methylxanthine alkaloids and some types of chocolate have more of these chemicals than others. Relatively small amounts of chocolate can cause serious problems such as constriction of the arteries and increased heart rate. Large amounts may cause even more dire symptoms and a pound of milk chocolate could possibly kill a 16 pound dog. Make sure your children understand how important it is not to feed your dog chocolate.

Onions-onions, garlic or anything from the onion family contain sulfoxides and disulfides known to damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Raw onions can cause liver damage. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Avoid onion (or garlic) powder as ingredients in any food you are feeding your dog or cat - this includes dog and cat food.

Tomato leaves and stems- The green parts of the tomato plant are considered toxic because they contain solanine, which has the potential to produce significant gastrointestinal and central nervous system effects. However ripetomatoes, the part of the plant typically used in food products, are not toxic.

Pits from peaches, plums or other fruits with pits- all fruits with pits can cause an obstruction in the digestive tract.

Raisins - grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure - just a few raisins can kill a dog.

Rhubarb leaves - these leaves contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous and urinary systems.

Sugary foods- just like in humans too much sugar could lead to dental problems, obesity, and possible diabetes mellitus.

Tobacco - because tobacco contains nicotine, it could affect the nervous and digestive systems causing rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death. If your dog eats cigarettes it releases toxins throughout their bodies.

Bones - large bones that cannot splinter are usually ok. If your dog can chew them up do not use them. Soft bones like chicken and fish are definitely bad. If you have a dog with a larger set of jaws, it is possible they could bite off and swallow a piece of bone too large for them to pass, this would be very dangerous and possibly life threatening. Be careful with bones since they can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Nuts - All nuts contain fats, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Foods with high fat contents can also potentially produce an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In addition, many commercially sold nuts are salted-and if a pet consumed a large volume of salt from the nuts, this could potentially pose a risk for the development of a sodium ion toxicosis. Nuts known to be toxic are walnuts and macadamia nuts. Brazil nuts - The good news is that there is currently no data indicating that Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) or almonds (Prunus dulcis) are toxic to animals.

Coming soon with be the new hubpage with a second list of "10 MoreThings Not to Feed Your Dog - Part 2" - check back for more common foods that your beloved Buddy should avoid.

Debbie Holte is a frequent contributor of articles regarding our pet's health to the website www.buddybeds.com -- orthopedic memory foam dog beds found exclusively on this website.  Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our pets.

Remember there are three things to look for in any company you purchase a dog bed - high quality products, products that will last and stand the test of time, and superior customer service.