is chocolate bad for dogs?

Answer 1

Theobromine, a chemical found in chocolate, is toxic to dogs, but they can tolerate small amounts. You don't need to run to the vet if he eats a crumb that fell off your candy bar.

Different kinds of chocolate have different amounts of theobromine. The rule of thumb for chocolate toxicity is:

Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight
Semisweet chocolate: 1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight
Baker's chocolate: 1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight

The other issue is that chocolate and other sweets will damage your dogs teeth, and doggie dental work costs hundreds of dollars.

Answer 2

Source: http://tafkac.org/animals/chocolate_and_dogs.html

"It is not chocolate itself that is poisonous to dogs, it is the theobromine, a naturally occuring compound found in chocolate. Theobromine causes different reactions to different dogs: dogs with health problems, especially epilepsy, are more affected by theobromine than healthy dogs. Theobromine can trigger epileptic seizures in dogs prone to or at risk of epilepsy. The size of the dog will also be a major factor: the smaller the dog, the more affected it is by the same amount than a larger dog. Therefore, toxicity is described on a mg/Kg basis.

Furthermore, theobromine can cause cardiac irregularity, especially if the dog becomes excited. Cardiac arythmia can precipitate a myocardial infarct which can kill the dog.

Theobromine also irritates the GI tract and in some dogs can cause internal bleeding which in some cases kills them a day or so later.

Theobromine is also present in differing amounts in different kinds of chocolate. milk chocolate has 44-66 mg/oz, dark chocolate 450 mg/oz and baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder varies as much as 150-600 mg/oz. How much chocolate a dog can survive depends on its weight (and other unknown circumstances). Under 200 mg theobromine per kg body weight no deaths have been observed.

Theobromine will stay in the bloodstream between 14 and 20 hours. It goes back into the bloodstream through the stomach lining and takes a long time for the body to filter out. Because theobromine is eliminated through the liver rather than through the kidneys, it takes a long time to eliminate it.

Within two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting unless your dog is markedly stimulated, comatose, or has lost the gag reflex. If your dog has eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or displays any of the above symptoms, take it to the vet without delay.

In the absence of major symptoms, administer activated charcoal. The unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to this and be eliminated in the feces. Burnt (as in thoroughly burnt, crumbling in hand) toast will do. "

Answer 3

It is BAD! I have a little chihuahua, my cousin is about 5 and likes to share....unfortunately he wanted to share his chocolate with my little dog....she had a seizure! It was so sad..but she's okay now....we did take her to the vet.

I think it has a lot to do with the size of the dog and how much chocolate it eats

Answer 4

YES. never feed a dog chocolate!!
if by accident a dog does eat some, he wont die but just to be safe get him checked out by the vet.

Answer 5

My brother in law is a veterinarian and he recently saw a golden retriever who died after getting into a bag of chocolate chips. So yes, in large amounts chocolate is lethal to dogs.

Answer 6

Yes. I don't know why, but it is. A tiny bit isn't, though. Our dog (big dog, about 100 pounds) eats tiny bits of chocolate now and then. If we drop a couple of M&M's or something and he eats them, nothing happens. But too much is bad.

Answer 7

Chocolate is bad for dogs the darkest chocolate is worst. All chocolate is bad it affects their nervous system adversely.

Answer 8

No!! you'll kill him if you feed him chocolate. They can't digest it. Why would you feed a dog chocolate anyway? If it's not good for people it's definitely not good for animals. Why would you give a dog junk food? They eat dog food and dog treats!

Answer 9

Chocolate, sadly, is VERY bad for dogs! It gives them worms and all other sorts of bad intestinal problems, as they can't digest it without the proper enzymes. It's sad, but they enjoy doggie biscuits and other treats just as much.

Vote me best answer if this helps :D

Answer 10

Yes, chocolate can kill them. Do not give your dog chocolate. If you have, take them to a vet immediately.