Chocolate - a Poisonous Food for Dogs
Dogs only need to look pleadingly at the master and they would get whatever they want. Dogs love to eat and these four legged friends love to eat the food being eaten by the master. We can't blame dogs. Apart from the appetizing aroma, people food tastes a lot better than kibble thus it's no wonder if Fido would choose the master's food.
The pet food scare that caused hundreds of dogs to die has made dog owners realize that feeding the pet home cooked meals and people food would be much safer. The risk of contamination would certainly be avoided if the dog's food is home cooked but owners have to be aware that some people food are dangerous to dogs. Some people food are not tolerated by dogs because of their different metabolism. A dog owner may not be aware that dogs and chocolate is a bad combination as this people food can kill a dog.
Chocolate is a favorite food of humans. Chocolate bars, choco drinks, baking chocolate and many other types of chocolates are mainstays in people's larder because chocolate is a favorite food. However, even a small amount of this mouth watering treat can have dangerous effects on the dog. Chocolates have Theobromine, the substance that cannot be tolerated by dogs. Theobromine is a stimulant that affects the nervous system and the heart of a dog. The effects of toxicity on the dog would depend on the theobromide content of the chocolate consumed. Different types of chocolates would contain different levels of this stimulant but the darker the chocolate, the higher is the level of the theobromine. Milk chocolates and other chocolate mixes have lower levels of toxicity but dogs can still get affected if large amounts of these chocolate types are consumed.
The dangerous effects of chocolate depends on what kind was consumed, on the amount and on the body weight of the dog. Vomiting and diarrhea are usually the first signs of chocolate poisoning. Restlessness and hyperactivity are indications that the dog's body has already absorbed the toxic substance. By this time, excessive panting, frequent urination and muscle twitching will be manifested by the dog. About 36 hours after a toxic amount of chocolate is ingested death can happen as the irregular heartbeat compromises the flow of blood to the brain and to the other vital organs of the dog.
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Dog owners that have noticed the dog's consumption of chocolates must take the pet to a veterinary facility even though the amount of chocolate consumed is unknown or even if the dog is not yet showing symptoms of poisoning.
The pet food scare that caused hundreds of dogs to die has made dog owners realize that feeding the pet home cooked meals and people food would be much safer. The risk of contamination would certainly be avoided if the dog's food is home cooked but owners have to be aware that some people food are dangerous to dogs. Some people food are not tolerated by dogs because of their different metabolism. A dog owner may not be aware that dogs and chocolate is a bad combination as this people food can kill a dog.
Chocolate is a favorite food of humans. Chocolate bars, choco drinks, baking chocolate and many other types of chocolates are mainstays in people's larder because chocolate is a favorite food. However, even a small amount of this mouth watering treat can have dangerous effects on the dog. Chocolates have Theobromine, the substance that cannot be tolerated by dogs. Theobromine is a stimulant that affects the nervous system and the heart of a dog. The effects of toxicity on the dog would depend on the theobromide content of the chocolate consumed. Different types of chocolates would contain different levels of this stimulant but the darker the chocolate, the higher is the level of the theobromine. Milk chocolates and other chocolate mixes have lower levels of toxicity but dogs can still get affected if large amounts of these chocolate types are consumed.
The dangerous effects of chocolate depends on what kind was consumed, on the amount and on the body weight of the dog. Vomiting and diarrhea are usually the first signs of chocolate poisoning. Restlessness and hyperactivity are indications that the dog's body has already absorbed the toxic substance. By this time, excessive panting, frequent urination and muscle twitching will be manifested by the dog. About 36 hours after a toxic amount of chocolate is ingested death can happen as the irregular heartbeat compromises the flow of blood to the brain and to the other vital organs of the dog.
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Dog owners that have noticed the dog's consumption of chocolates must take the pet to a veterinary facility even though the amount of chocolate consumed is unknown or even if the dog is not yet showing symptoms of poisoning.
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Want to know more about which foods are poisonous to dogs. Visit Sarah's Dogs for a thourough list of toxic dog foods.
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