Chocolates are comfort foods for humans but these products derived from the seeds of the cacao tree are poisonous to dogs. Just like humans; dogs love the yummy goodness of chocolates too. People that regularly binge on chocolates would suffer no ill effects from this food aside from getting a thickened waist. In man's best friends, eating significant amounts of chocolates can result to death.
Not many dog owners are aware that this innocuous looking people food can have disastrous effects when eaten by the pet. Chocolate products became poisonous to dogs because the cacao seeds from where these products are derived contain the chemical Theobromine. Theobromine causes poisoning because this substance cannot be metabolized by dogs. Chocolate poisoning would depend on the amount and kind of chocolate eaten by the dog. Various chocolate products contain different levels of Theobromine thus some chocolates would be highly toxic and others would have no effect on the dog at all.
Owners that have just learned about the toxic effects of chocolate would panic if the pet was seen wolfing down the milk chocolate bar left lying on the table. No dog would ever say no to a bar of milk chocolate. Mixed with milk and sugar, the chocolate content of this product would be low One bar of milk chocolate ingested by the dog will not cause poisoning.
It would be a different matter if a pet has managed to gain access to the pantry and feasted on baking chocolate or a pack of dark chocolates. Poisonous effects of chocolate would be fatal if the dog has ingested dark chocolate or baking chocolate because these products contain higher levels of chocolate and therefore would contain high levels of Theobromine as well.
If a dog ingests sufficient amounts of Theobromine signs of poisoning will occur. Dogs that have ingested sufficient amounts of chocolates will vomit and have abdominal pains . The dog's vomit can be bloody and have bits of chocolate which should cue the dog owner to what had happened to the pet especially if the dog was not seen eating chocolates. The effects of Theobromine in the dog's system would cause the dog to appear intoxicated so that standing up and walking would be difficult. Dogs poisoned by chocolates would urinate frequently and would have increased heart rate. Other symptoms of chocolate poisoning are seizures and coma that can lead to the death of the pet thus immediate treatment would be very necessary. There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Urgent medical treatment would be necessary to save the life of the dog.
Not many dog owners are aware that this innocuous looking people food can have disastrous effects when eaten by the pet. Chocolate products became poisonous to dogs because the cacao seeds from where these products are derived contain the chemical Theobromine. Theobromine causes poisoning because this substance cannot be metabolized by dogs. Chocolate poisoning would depend on the amount and kind of chocolate eaten by the dog. Various chocolate products contain different levels of Theobromine thus some chocolates would be highly toxic and others would have no effect on the dog at all.
Owners that have just learned about the toxic effects of chocolate would panic if the pet was seen wolfing down the milk chocolate bar left lying on the table. No dog would ever say no to a bar of milk chocolate. Mixed with milk and sugar, the chocolate content of this product would be low One bar of milk chocolate ingested by the dog will not cause poisoning.
It would be a different matter if a pet has managed to gain access to the pantry and feasted on baking chocolate or a pack of dark chocolates. Poisonous effects of chocolate would be fatal if the dog has ingested dark chocolate or baking chocolate because these products contain higher levels of chocolate and therefore would contain high levels of Theobromine as well.
If a dog ingests sufficient amounts of Theobromine signs of poisoning will occur. Dogs that have ingested sufficient amounts of chocolates will vomit and have abdominal pains . The dog's vomit can be bloody and have bits of chocolate which should cue the dog owner to what had happened to the pet especially if the dog was not seen eating chocolates. The effects of Theobromine in the dog's system would cause the dog to appear intoxicated so that standing up and walking would be difficult. Dogs poisoned by chocolates would urinate frequently and would have increased heart rate. Other symptoms of chocolate poisoning are seizures and coma that can lead to the death of the pet thus immediate treatment would be very necessary. There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Urgent medical treatment would be necessary to save the life of the dog.
About the Author:
Ohh no.. My dog ate whole bunch of chocolate. Now what! Learn more about what to do if your dog eats chocolate. While this article have given you some knowledge. More information about foods that are toxic to dogs can be found at Sarah's Dogs.
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