Why can't dogs eat chocolate?

Question

I know it makes them sick. But what in chocolate can't a dog's body handel?

Answer 1

The ingredient in chocolate that makes it toxic to dogs is theobromine that is toxic to dogs in too much quantity. Theobromine is a xanthine compound in the same family of caffeine, and theophylline.

Answer 2

Even small amounts of Theo bromine, an ingredient in chocolate, can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets. Larger doses can be fatal. While most pet owners expect adog to develop an upset stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate, few realize its danger or toxic potential.
The lethal dose of Theo bromine depends on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate. Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has six to nine times as much of the substance as milk chocolate does.
Estimates of the smallest amounts that can be fatal are:
4 ounces of milk chocolate or 1/2 ounce of baking chocolate for small dogs, such as Chihuahuas and toy poodles.
8 ounces of milk chocolate or 2 ounces of baking chocolate for medium-sized dogs, like cocker spaniels and dachshunds.
8 ounces of milk chocolate or 4 ounces of baking chocolate for large dogs, including collies and Labrador retrievers.
Cats have much different eating habits and seldom are poisoned by chocolate.
While a very small amount of chocolate may not harm some dogs, it's safest to avoid giving it to them at all. If an accident occurs, a veterinarian should be consulted. Treatment may require inducing vomiting, stabilizing the animal's heartbeat and respiration, controlling seizures and slowing the absorption of Theo bromine. If the animal already is comatose, its stomach may need to be pumped.

Answer 3

The reason why dogs can't eat chocolate is that it's soo not for them & their bodies. Maybe because they don't 'mix'. Also, it COULD poison their bodies.

Answer 4

Theobromine is in chocolate, and this is toxic to dogs and cats. It affects their liver and/or kidneys. Read this article for more info:
http://www.apogeecomgrp.com/drkevin/chocolate.html

Chalice

Answer 5

Chocolate has theobromine which is poisonous to dogs.

Answer 6

I had a Rottweiler, he loved chocolate, and he lived to be 12. He had no health problems other than bad hips, which Rottweilers usually get cause they're so big. I dont understand why people say not to feed it to them.

Answer 7

It has toxins in it that can kill them there body can't handle It attacks there central nervous systems and heart muscle and frequent urination.It has caffiene and theobromine.

Answer 8

Not sure but my neighbor just told me that I'm not supposed to eat chocolate when I'm pregnant. WTH?! I don't think so... I indulged in my chocolate mousse ice cream anyways. YUM!