Is chocolate harmful for rats?

Question

I heard when I first started keeping rats that chocolate was dangerous for them to eat. Not long after I heard the same thing about dogs (and found out that dog chocs are different to regular chocolate too). Is this true and if so why would chocolate be harmful to rats?

Answer 1

Working as a veterinary technician in a practice that has numerous rat and mouse owners as clients I am often asked if chocolate is toxic to their pets. My initial reaction was to apply the same guidelines we use for dogs to murines (rats and mice), but then became curious if there were any actual studies doneon these species which would give specifics. First, it is important to understand what is toxic about chocolate in species that are susceptible to chocolate poisoning. It is the theobromine in chocolate which in large amounts has diuretic effects, relaxes smooth muscles, and stimulates the heart and central nervous system. Caffeine has a greater effect on the central nervous system and is also found in small amounts in chocolate. Pharmacologically, theobromine is included in a group of naturally occurring methylxanthine alkaloids along with caffeine, theophylline, and the synthetics, aminophylline and etamiphylline. Relative to other methylxanthines, theobromine is pharmacologically weak. Theobromine, as well as other drugs mentioned do have therapeutic effects when given at the proper dosage and are used in the treatment of respiratory diseases and heart disease. I have treated my own rat with aminophylline (dose prescribed by my veterinarian) when in the final stages of Mycoplasmosis. This is a bronchial dilator and did offer her some relief. I had a necropsy done atWashington State University and they found no side effects from the aminophylline treatment. Theobromine is found in higher concentration in unsweetened baker's chocolate (15mg/g) than in milk chocolate (1.5 mg/g). White chocolate is low enough in both theobromine and caffeine and would be unlikely to cause poisoning.

Answer 2

This is my personal opinion due to research on drugs:

Chocolate is a very popular drug. If people eat too much we become high like we're on crack. This is a known fact. So i'm sure if a human ate enough we would OD on it and die (so much that our tummy might have to explode first).

On the other hand...with pets...chocolate is absorbed faster I guess. My dog eats chocolate all the time in small amounts. We were scared the first time he did it....(he climbed on the table and ate about 26 choc. chip cookies)....and he was fine. He slowed down a bit and even stared at the wall for a while but otherwise he came out of it. My mom also had a dog who ate half a chocolate cake. They found him on the couch not being able to move but he could wag his tail and look at them. He could walk but kinda did a drunk walk.

I wouldn't feed any animal chocolate unless I knew it was ok. For example...my other dog doesn't get it because we don't know how he will react. Like with humans...they all react to drugs differently. Take my friend Manda who has sezures when she smokes pot. Or maybe theres someone out there that for some reason....certain poisons don't take effect.
A poison company not too far from here had a lab mix that would wander around eating poison every now and then. Mostly rat poison by the boxes (for w/e reason he liked it more than his dog food) and had been ever since he was a puppy. He lived to be 15 or 16.....normal age for a dog.

I'm not saying go feed it to your rat. Just telling you what I think. It is a drug and thats why it is dangerous. I think dog chocolate is kind of like a virgin drink......

Answer 3

I Think Its Harmfull To Rats Because :

Chocolate, As You Know, Is Made With Cocoa Beans And Cocoa Beans Contain Methylxanthine Alkaloids In The Form Of Theobromine And Caffeinea, Which Are Toxic To Dogs. Chocolate Can Also Contain High Amounts Of Fat Which Can Put Your Dogs Health In Jeopardy As Well.
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Answer 4

I just wanted to comment on Sarahs reply. Rats are fine eating meat and tuna. It causes them no harm at all. Everything else on the list is correct though.
Chocolate can be dangerous to rats for the same reasons as its bad for dogs. I have heard though that it can be good for them in small doses when they are having trouble breathing, it helps relax their airway or something(I cant remember). I know that's the only time I ever give mine any, and it does seem to help til I can get them to the vet.

Answer 5

All * these *things are bad for rats
Spices ..
Carbonated drinks..
Salt ..
Raw 'sweet' potatoes ..
Raw red cabbage ..
Chocolate
Raw brussels sprouts
Butter
Uncooked beans
Alcohol (it isn't funny to watch a tipsy rat)
Green bananas
Caffine, found in tea, coffee,
Green potato skin and eyes
they shouldnt have Meat either, or Tuna
but where as you cant give chicken bones,
to neither cat nor dog, your rats will love them, They grind them into powder and leave no trace :O)

Its the caffiene in chocolate, even dog drops are not good for them, you can buy rodent chocolate, or better still, yoghurt drops
(Yoggies)

Answer 6

Chocolate has caffeine in it and that is what is harmful to animals. They use something different to make what looks like chocolate for dogs. But if you are talking about the kinds of chocolate that is made for humans, yes it is bad for animals.

Answer 7

The chocolate causes the heartrate to increase, in a critter that already has a fast heart rate ~ this is dangerous.

Answer 8

This has been debated on rat forums for years. Most don't know an acurate answer, but it's best to err on the side of caution, and don't give your ratties any chocolate.

TDK

Answer 9

Who cares? Go ahead and feed lots of chocolate to the Rats. See what happens. Think of it as an experiment. If they die, you can hold funerals for them.

Answer 10

stick to ratty food. carrots cooked meat, veggies. On the net are good ratty treats, wholesome and good tating for your little vermin friends.