They may be man's best friend but they certainly shouldn't be eating man's favourite foods. Though dogs beg adorably for table scraps, there are many things on that plate that pose a danger to canines.

Chocolate's a well-known toxin, but did you know broccoli is also off limits?

"Dogs are always looking for something to eat and they're not particularly discriminatory and will eat virtually anything," laughs owner Bruce Rowlands.

It's of a special concern around the holidays, when strangers might not know what goods are OK for the family pet.

"Alcohol is really bad. It does the same thing to your dog or cat that it does to you. It of course attacks the liver and the brain," allows Lee Oliver of the Humane Society.

Rowland has a new plan now: "My approach is that I just stick with dog food."

You can check out the list of forbidden foods below.

Chocolate
Why? It contains a toxin called theobromine.
Symptoms:  Vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes, the dog's heart rate increases. This can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting; and these lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.
What to Do: Induce vomiting, then call your vet.

Onions and garlic
Why? They contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. That can cause red blood cells to burst inside the body.
Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhea. No interest in food. Will be dull and weak. Reddish urine. Breathlessness.
What to do: See a vet immediately.

*Note: onions are much more toxic than garlic.

Macadamia nuts, raw and roasted
Why? The toxic compound is unknown.
Symptoms: Tremors, weakness and temporary paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.
What to do: Though these symptoms are painful, they usually don't last very long. Still, take your pet to the vet.

What else?

• Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning)
• Potato peelings and green looking potatoes
• Rhubarb leaves
• Moldy/spoiled foods
• Alcohol
• Yeast dough
• Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine)
• Hops (used in home brewing)
• Tomato leaves & stems (green parts)
• Broccoli (in large amounts)
• Raisins and grapes
• Cigarettes, tobacco, cigars

Information courtesy dogownersdigest.com; talktothevet.com; and petalia.com.