2007-05-14 05:51:36 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
There are two ingredients in chocolate that contribute to the side effect in pets: theobromine and caffeine. The combination of the two ingredients can cause mild problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, or severe and potentially fatal effects like heart arrhythmias or cardiac and respiratory arrest. It’s difficult to quantify how much theobromine and caffeine are in different kinds of chocolate, but a good rule of thumb is that the darker the chocolate is, the more harmful it is to pets. Cocoa powder and baker’s chocolate are the most dangerous, milk and white chocolate have the least amount of theobromine, and dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate lie somewhere in the middle of the range.
Every animal however reacts differently to toxins, so always call your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten chocolate.
2007-05-14 05:58:01 · answer #1 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, chocolate is not only bad for dogs, but it is usually lethal. The "problem" ingredient is theobromine. I hesitate to call it a problem because for humans, it's suspected to be the ingredient that makes us feel so nice after eating chocolate (that "chocolate bliss" feeling). For dogs, however, it is a problem because it's metabolized so slowly. Indications of an overdose are: increased nervousness or excitement, trembling, panting unconnected to high activity or heat, heart racing, seizures, coma. Some dogs (usually older ones) can have a heart attack triggered by the rapid heartbeat which forces their hearts to work harder.
The trickiest thing about the theobromine in chocolate is that dogs metabolize it very slowly--it takes about six days for it to leave the dog's body. So if you hand your dog a little chocolate on Monday, and then the dog (unbeknownst to you) gets some more chocolate from one of the kids on Tuesday, an unauthorized foray into the chocolate on Wednesday can cause problems.
The smaller the dog, the less chance of survival if chocolate is ingested. REGARDLESS, if your dog ingests ANY chocolate: baking chocolate (chocolate used for baking is much more toxic to dogs), chocolate bars, etc... you NEED to call your vet for an appointment asap. Your vet will induce vomiting using charcol to help the toxins to leave the body.
2007-05-14 06:37:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chocolate has a chemical in it that reacts like a cocaine overdose in dogs and can actually stop their heart. Any amount is dangerous and if they ingest any at all you need to go to the vet.
2007-05-14 05:57:36 · answer #3 · answered by Shanna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In contains theobromine which is harmful to their kidneys in large amounts (which may not be much at all, especially in small dogs)
This is a good website:
http://www.dogownersdigest.com/news/library/chocolate-dog-poisoning.shtml
Chalice
2007-05-14 08:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's really bad for them, can be poisonous don't give it to them
2007-05-14 05:56:36 · answer #5 · answered by CAROLINE J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kills them!! AHHH!! Don't feed it to them! It's like poison!
2007-05-14 05:53:50 · answer #6 · answered by john b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gives them the green apple splatters :)
2007-05-14 05:59:16 · answer #7 · answered by unan1m0us 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
makes them really sick or it might pass............
2007-05-14 05:54:54 · answer #8 · answered by surfergrrl101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋