Chocolate And Dogs
Can A Dog Die From Chocolate?
When it comes to dogs and chocolate, many dog owners ask: can a dog die
from chocolate?
Well the simple answer is yes, which is a good enough reason to always keep it out of
your dog's reach. And, be especially diligent on those more chocolaty occasions such as
birthdays, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, etc.
Sad as it may seem, a food that's irresistible to most people has to be kept away from
your dog because it can be lethal. Actually, it's a well-know fact that dogs can crave
chocolate as much as humans, once they get to sample it.
Add to that another fact that dogs seem to have an uncanny ability to find and eat things that can
lead to digestive problems for them! So, in addition to safely hiding your bars of chocolate, don't
overlook the chocolate chip cookies or chocolate cake you just baked!
Can A Dog Die From Chocolate
The Answer Is Yes, And Here's The Reason
The downside of chocolate as it relates to dogs, is that it contains caffeine plus a
substance called theobromine. These substances are known to stimulate the heart and
central nervous system plus have a diuretic effect.
Whereas, humans can metabolize both of these ingredients in a couple of hours, it is
quite a different story for dogs. A dog's liver has to work long and hard to clear
these chemicals from its system. This can take up to eighteen hours!
Dogs that have eaten chocolate need prompt treatment to remove the toxic substances.
Chocolate And Dogs - Symptoms After Eating
Depending on the amount a dog has ingested, the symptoms can range from very severe to
mild. Vomiting, diarrhea and increased thirst are some of the first indicators to look
for if your dog has eaten chocolate. More severe symptoms that appear later can include
hyperactivity, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors and seizures.
The best thing you can do when you suspect your dog has consumed chocolate, is to
call, or go directly to, your vet.
Your vet will most likely want to induce vomiting if your dog hasn't already brought up
the contents of his stomach. If the heartbeats are irregular or rapid, he will want to
get it stabilized, If diarrhea is present, your dog will need to drink a lot of water. Your
vet may also advise a treatment regimen of activated charcoal mixed with water to
counteract the absorption of the toxin.
Can A Dog Die From Chocolate
The Answer Depends On A Few Things
What happens when a dog ingests chocolate greatly depends on the size of the dog, the
breed of dog, the amount of chocolate consumed, the type of chocolate and to some extent
the health condition of the dog.
The most toxic chocolate of all to dogs is in the form of cocoa powder. Among the bars
of hard chocolate, the very dark kind used for baking is the most dangerous.
Dogs And Chocolate - How much chocolate is too much?
Just to give you an idea...according to the National Animal Poison Control Center at the
University of Illinois:
A 1.6 ounce bar of
milk chocolate eaten by a 10-lb dog could cause bad reactions.
But if the 10-lb dog ate the same amount of
unsweetened baker's chocolate, it
could result in death.
If you really want to check out the effects of different types of chocolate on different
breeds, there is a very handly widget to do this. You can find it here:
ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/pets/chocolate-chart-interactive
Can A Dog Die From Chocolate - Conclusion
Even though your family dog can't eat the chocolate made for human consumption, some
manufacturers have created chocolate treats that are safe for dogs.
So if you plan to satisfy your dog's taste for chocolate, my recommendation would be to
look for the chocolate-tasting dog treats that are made
with carob which has a very similar taste,
but is considered a safe alternative to
chocolate.
Related pages you many want to read:
Dog Food Comparisons
Natural Organic Dog Food
Dog Food Recipes
Dog Food Ingredients
Dog Nutrition Books
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Can A
Dog Die From Chocolate To Best Dog Foods
