chocolate and dogs

Hi, I have always heard of chocolate being deadly for a dog. But I saw some doggie treats dipped in white chocolate. I wonder whats in the chocolate that is harmful and why the white wouldnt harm them too? Does anyone know?

Nope... but I'd be reluctant to give anything "chocolate" to my dogs ~ hell, even if its 'safe', I don't want them developing a TASTE for it. :eek:
~phos

Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that dogs can't metabolize quickly. If a dog ingests a large amount of chocolate, the theobromine can build up and reach a toxic level of concentration, leading to cardiac arrest. Different types of chocolate are more harmful than others, and the effects will vary, depending upon the size and weight of the dog. However, it is potentially lethal.

I got the above from Yahoo.

I understand it has to do with the liver of dogs. They cannot handle the chocolate. Liver is the organ that handles poisons.

Here's a little more information from talktothevet.com

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.

_________________________________________

My 45 pound dog has always been able to enjoy a few Oreos, M&M's, or two chocolates (like Russell Stovers) without a problem, but as the article says, the smaller the dog, the less chocolate they can handle. I'd be real careful in the smaller dogs and I'd avoid it altogether in miniature breeds

I'm not completely sure, but I've heard that it's toxic to cats as well.

I'm not completely sure, but I've heard that it's toxic to cats as well.

I was just going to ask about that, WR. Joey has never shown any interest in chocolate, so I doubt that it would be a problem for us anyway.

Thx everyone. I am still kooking for why white chocolate is ok to be on those doggie treats. Maybe it doesnt have the theobromine :confused: .

I found this article about a certain kind of mulch sold in popular stores (unless they have took it out since the article). Seems the mulch attracts dogs and cats. And if they ingest it it is deadly. Claim: Theobromine, a chemical found in cocoa mulch, can be harmful to pets.

Status: True.

Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2003]


Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine".

It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution — check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate — especially dark or baker's chocolate — which is toxic to dogs.

Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.


Origins: This
warning began appearing in our inbox in May 2003. Unlike the majority of scary alerts spread through the Internet there is a good deal of truth to this one, although we've so far been unable to substantiate the claim that "Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks."

According to the ASPCA:


Cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals, called methylxanthines. In dogs, low doses of methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and death.

Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death. (In contrast, a 50-pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate.)
According to tables we've examined, cocoa mulch contains 300-1200 mg. of theobromine per ounce, making cocoa mulch one of the strongest concentrations of theobromine your pet will encounter in any chocolate product. Yet the question of the gravity of the risk presented by this type of gardening mulch remains a matter of debate. According to Hershey's, "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."

Rather than gamble their dogs won't be attracted to the mulch, responsible pet owners will probably prefer to choose another form of soil enhancement for their gardens.

The danger of canine theobromine poisoning does not begin and end with cocoa mulch — chocolate in any form poses substantial risks. This most beloved of foodstuffs contains theobromine and small amounts of caffeine, both of which can sicken and even kill cats and dogs.

Chocolate's toxicity to animals is directly related to three factors: the type of chocolate, the size of the animal, and the amount of chocolate ingested. Unsweetened baking chocolate presents the greatest danger to pets because it contains the highest amount of theobromine, approximately 390-450 mg. per ounce. White chocolate contains the least. As a general rule of thumb, one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight can be lethal for dogs and cats. (Milk chocolate contains approximately 44-66 mg of theobromine per ounce.)

Theobromine affects the heart, central nervous system, and kidneys, causing nausea and vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and increased urination. Cardiac arrhythmia and seizures are symptoms of more advanced poisoning. Other than induced vomiting, vets have no treatment or antidote for theobromine poisoning. Death can occur in 12 to 24 hours.

This type of poisoning is uncommon because it is rare that a dog, even a small dog, will eat enough chocolate to cause anything more than an upset stomach. Yet it can happen, especially if the animal gets into baking chocolate or powdered cocoa, two forms of the sweet particularly loaded with theobromine.

Do not feed chocolate to dogs or cats. If you keep a pet, do not leave chocolate lying about lest your critter help himself to it and in so doing poison himself. If your animal begins exhibiting signs of distress and you believe he might have gotten into some chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately. (It will help if you can supply information about the approximate weight of your critter, what sort of chocolate was ingested — white, milk, dark, cocoa powder, baking — and roughly how much.) But time is of the essence if such a poisoning has indeed taken place, so make the call right away.

Barbara "canine-one-one" Mikkelson

Actually, white chocolate is not real chocolate as we purists know it. It appears that what is called white chocolate is made just from the cocoa butter that is the fat part of the same bean that real chocolate is made from, but that the real chocolate is made from the bean solids (which are the dark parts, the real stuff) as well as the bean fat. I think that cocoa butter is a fat ingredient in many foods, isn't it? Isn't it used in cosmetics, too? Anyway, the cocoa solids might be what contain that theo ingredient which is bad for dogs. So, your pup treats might be okay!

I don't know my sheepdog Barksure is a ok with chocklate (not that we give him exuberent amounts) but mom did give him small bowls of mint chocolate chip ice cream during the summer . He doesn't seem to be having any after effects and he is right in his breed's weight range, plays hard and energetic. I have yet in my 20+ years of having and growing up with sheepdogs any effects from chocolate. And no we don't give him it everyday.

It's a little ironic, given that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, that one of the most UTTERLY ADORABLE breeds is called a "Chocolate Lab." :)

:D Dave!

It's a little ironic, given that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, that one of the most UTTERLY ADORABLE breeds is called a "Chocolate Lab." :)


They sure can play the adorable card............. My Chocolate Labrador gets severe stomach upsets from the smallest amount of chocolate, she is really sensitive to it ....... But she is fine with reputable doggy chocolate, so my advice is to check the ingredients before giving any treats to your pet.

I have never come accross a cat having problems with chocolate .......... Years ago I had a ginger and white tom who was addicted to the stuff :eek: ....... It wasn't safe to leave a box of chocolates, or anything else chocolate, anywhere he might be able to get hold of it, he was a past master at ripping open packages and licking all the chocolate of cookies or chocolates........ He loved dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa solids) the best......... He had the addiction all his life and lived to be 15

avoid the chocolate...too many other yummy things better for them!!!...just my 2 cents...Merry Christmas

I once dated someone who worked for a Vet. She had given me bones coated in white chocolate for my dog as a gift. Knowing that chocolate was dangerous for dogs, I asked her if it was OK. She said that it was, but ONLY white chocolate is safe. I considered her quite knowledgeable as she had been working in that field for many years and would never do anything to harm a dog.

HOWEVER...I still did not give them to my dog (didn't tell her this of course), and wouldn't recommend that anyone else do it either. It doesn't seem like it would be a normal part of a dog's diet, and that is good enough for me.

I second that....sure white chocolate is not toxic, because it does not actually contain cocoa, but it's not very good for doggies anyhow, if it has sugar in it like white chocolate human treats have. There's lots of other healthy treats we can give our dogs. My old dog has a penchant for chocoate...or anything else she can scrounge off tables or out of the garbage etc, so I have to be careful this time of year especially.

Merry Christmas everyone - I hope it's happy and safe for everyone in your families!

God I love dogs ... for those who haven't heard it...

The more people I meet, the more I like my dog ;-)