2007-02-05 07:05:56 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
The truth is chocolate contains theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities. This is a xanthine compound in the same family of caffeine, and theophylline.
Toxic Levels
The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction. Although there are variables to consider like the individual sensitivity, animal size and chocolate concentration.
On average,
Milk chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz.
Semisweet chocolate contains 150mg/oz.
Baker's chocolate 390mg/oz.
Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.
So, for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great risk to an 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually will only cause digestive problems.
Clinical Signs
Xanthines affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system and peripheral nerves. It has a diuretic effect as well. Clinical signs:
Hyper excitability
Hyper irritability
Increased heart rate
Restlessness
Increased urination
Muscle tremors
Vomiting
Diarrhea
2007-02-05 07:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by W. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a German Shepherd that ate an entire chocolate brownie pie (specially baked to be the ultimate chocolate dessert) that she stole off the stove top while it was cooling.
I was sure it would be the end but I never saw a single side effect and she lived another 6 years.
I do believe chocolate is dangerous and would never purposely give a dog "human food" of any kind. After that day I was much more careful about leaving stuff out.
2007-02-05 08:24:32 · answer #2 · answered by scrapbookingmom11 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not just dark chocolate, but ANY chocolate can kill dogs. There is a chemical in the chocolate called Theobromine that they cannot digest. It affects their nervous system and can cause death if the dog eats enough. The dog actually has to eat quite a lot for the ill effects, so you don't have to panic if your dog eats one chocolate chip cookie. But if you leave a bag of M&Ms out, your dog could pay the price. Better not to mess around and skip any chocolate for your dog.
For further info, this website has a rather lengthy discussion.
http://www.finedarkchocolate.com/Chocolate_Food/Dogs_Chocolate.asp
2007-02-05 07:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by Robin D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any chocolate can kill a dog the lighter chocolate will just take longer to have an accumulated affect.
They make a special chocolate for dogs now. You can give a dog carob too which is a type of chocolate.
Onions are even worse for dogs from what I have heard.
2007-02-05 07:22:49 · answer #4 · answered by sapphire_630 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The caffeine in the chocolate along with one of the ingredients in chocolate cause the dogs heat and other organs to shut down, including the kidneys and liver because they cannot filter out the bad in the chocolate. Also it is not just dark chocolate that Can kill a dog any chocolate can do it.
2007-02-05 07:13:25 · answer #5 · answered by jones 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it's not so much the chocolate but the caffiene ingredient in chocolate that does it. Also, they would have to eat a LOT of it to die from it.... most dogs can eat a small amount with no problems, but if they eat too much they'll get sick, and if they eat WAY too much (like if a very small dog ate whole big box of it) they could die from it. Once I caught my chihuahua eating a bar of special dark I left out on the table, she ate almost half and she didn't get sick.
2007-02-05 07:12:01 · answer #6 · answered by oneblackhorse 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chocolate contains a susbstance that is toxic to dogs. This website has the specifics.
2007-02-05 07:12:40 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chocolate has a chemical in it referred to as theobromine. it relatively is a Xanthine, a classification of medicine that contain caffeine. canines are very gentle to this drug and in the event that they soak up sufficient chocolate they get a dose sufficient to cause them to snatch. The smaller the canines, the extra risky it relatively is. yet one or 2 M+Ms can no longer harm them.
2016-10-01 11:32:37 · answer #8 · answered by tuberman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never heard of it killing dogs but it does mess them up like giving a child crack theyre not able to handle the caffeine and it also can cause worms
2007-02-05 07:34:42 · answer #9 · answered by Joseph M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A dog would have to eat an extremely large amount of chocolate to die
2007-02-05 07:20:22 · answer #10 · answered by Diamond~ I <3 my Son 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋