Is it true that chocolate can kill a dog?

Answer 1

Absolutely TRUE! We've all heard it, "Don't give your dog chocolate it will kill him". We'll how true is it you're probably wondering. Do I have to rush him to an emergency vet if he ate one of my M&M's?

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

Treatment

There is no specific antidote for this poisoning. And the half life of the toxin is 17.5 hours in dogs. Induce vomiting in the first 1-2 hours if the quantity is unknown. Administering activated charcoal may inhibit absorption of the toxin. An anticonvulsant might be indicated if neurological signs are present and needs to be controlled. Oxygen therapy, intravenous medications, and fluids might be needed to protect the heart.

Milk chocolate will often cause diarrhea 12-24 hours after ingestion. This should be treated symptomatically (fluids, etc..) to prevent dehydration.

If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate contact your Vet immediately! They can help you determine the the proper treatment for your pet.

http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/DOGS/chocolatetoxic.HTM

Answer 2

Sometimes "...life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Chocolate is not good for all living things!

Actually chocolate can cause problems for your pets. The following is from Petco:

"Not surprisingly, dogs commonly suffer from chocolate toxicity around Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. Chocolate toxicity affects the nervous system and heart of animals (as well as people if we eat enough). There are two things in chocolate that cause toxic effects: theobromine and caffeine. Toxicity depends on many factors. One is the concentration of these chemicals in the chocolate. White chocolate has the least; milk chocolate has more; dark chocolate still more; and baking chocolate has most of all. The size of the pet also plays a role. Two ounces of milk chocolate could kill a Chihuahua while most Labs will be ok if they sneak a single piece of candy (that is, until their owner finds out).

How can you tell if your pet is suffering from chocolate toxicity? (After all, you can't always store a box high enough to deter a really skilled chocoholic pet.) Signs of toxicity include vomiting, loose stools, restlessness, hyper excitability, rapid breathing, and seizures. What should you do if your pet does eat chocolate? If you suspect toxicity, get the pet to a vet right away. With special care your pet can bounce back.

The best treatment, however, is prevention. Don't offer chocolates to pets and keep it out of their reach. If you want to share your love with your best friend this Valentine's Day, do so with treats designed to keep pets happy and healthy.

Dr. Judy St. Leger, DVM

PETCO Consulting Veterinarian"

Answer 3

This is a loaded question and, after reading some of the answers, a lot of people would freak if their dog ate a piece of chocolate and would run to the vet. There are a lot of factors to consider when pondering this question. The size of the dog, breed, amount of chocolate intake, type of chocolate, etc. My aunt fed her small/medium dog chocolates all the time and he just ended up fat. I feed my dog chocolate sometimes. You definitely don't want to give an excessive amount. From my understanding, baker's chocolate, before it has been mixed with other ingredients and cooked, is toxic to a dog.

Answer 4

INEVER EVER EVER EVEN THINK OF GIVING CHOCOLATE TO AN ANIMAL. Even that Pet chocolate crap is bad for them.
On the other hand if you dump some chocolate on the floor and fido has a little bit of it he probably will survive, if he's a big boy(or girl). But don't risk it!

" It contains the chemical theobromine, which is very
poisonous to dogs and fatal to a small puppy. The general rule is the darker the
chocolate, the more dangerous it is." Norma Moffat

Answer 5

Bakers chocolate is worse than say a Hersheys Bar. Also the amount that a dog eats and the size of the dog has a lot to do with this. A tiny bit won't kill them it may make them a little sick. I have dog treats that are made with Carob that my dogs LOVE! Carob is okay but Bakers chocolate is very bad. Local pet stores may carry the carob treats. They were some kind of doggie brownies. Can't remember the name of the brad but check out PetCo. It als

Answer 6

Yes. Something in chocolate can kill a dog. Happened to my best friend's dog. They do make doggy chocolates, though.

Answer 7

Chocolate contains theobromine. A naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it's the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs.

Also DO NOT feed your dog, sultanas/grapes/raisins or onions!!!

It may not show harmful effects at first, BUT it all adds up in the dog's system.

Answer 8

It depends upon how much chocolate and the dog. A small amount might kill a yorkie. But I have an australian shepherd who got hold of some chocolate and it didn't effect her in any way.

Answer 9

You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, the evidence includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes and there's increased absorption of the toxic substance, you'll see an increase in the dog's heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting.

This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

Answer 10

Yes but it has to be a heck of a lot and very concentrated (ie, not the typical milk chocolate). A good analogy is alcohol with humans. It is toxic and can kill but only with hard liquor (say 100 proof or more) and lots of it.