I recently read an article that chocolate turns out to be very dangerous for dogs.
The cocoa beans from which chocolate is made contain theobromine, which increases the heartbeat and, accordingly, blood circulation, excites the nervous system, thus giving vigor. But this is in humans, and theobromine is excreted from the body of dogs longer and its effect is longer, which is dangerous for the nervous system of the dog.
Symptoms of poisoning appear within 6-12 hours and, in principle, are more or less typical for any poisoning - vomiting, diarrhea, fever, convulsions, rapid breathing and heartbeat, muscle rigidity, and a drop in blood pressure. In severe cases, acute heart failure and weakness, up to coma, are possible.
The lethal dose of theobromine depends on the chocolate (milk contains about 60mg per 30g of chocolate, dark - 400mg per 30g of chocolate) and on the weight of the dog. For example, a dog weighing 20 kg needs to eat 400 g of dark chocolate or 2.8 kg of milk chocolate in order to get poisoned (the latter, I think, is not so easy, it will start to vomit earlier :))
The dose is calculated based on the concept of LD50 - this is the average dose at which half of the test group dies. For dogs, the LD50 is 300 mg per 1 kg of body weight, for humans - 1000 mg per 1 kg of body weight.
Of course, these figures - 400 mg and 2.8 kg - are a lethal dose, poor health occurs when eating less chocolate. And the smaller the body weight of the dog, the more dangerous it is. Naturally, if a shepherd dog eats one slice of milk chocolate, this will not cause any serious consequences.
If the dog has eaten a lot of chocolate (or it is difficult to understand how much), you should try to make him vomit - give water with the addition of a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in a ratio of 50:50. Vomiting is only effective for up to an hour after the incident and if no neurological symptoms have yet been observed. If there is a suspicion that the dog has eaten a lot of chocolate or it is already showing symptoms of poisoning, you must immediately take it to the clinic.
And now, dear readers and subscribers, attention, a question! 🙂 In the comments to this article, many owners write that their dog has been eating chocolate all his life and nothing has been done to him, there is no poisoning. The maximum that one such sweet lover got, who ate a kilogram of chocolates in one sitting, and then another marmalade, was diabetes and insulin injections. Yes, and I have never heard of a dog dying after eating chocolate.
Perhaps chocolate is now being made better? 🙂 And before, they didn’t report theobromine 🙂 Or, really, cheap chocolate just has a very small content of cocoa beans (it doesn’t even work on dogs, here are the hacks! :))
In a word, dear, your opinion is interesting. Has anyone heard of a dog actually getting poisoned by chocolate?
According to http://www.pet4me.ru/
Cynologists, veterinarians and experienced dog breeders unanimously repeat: never give your pet anything from your table! However, this does not stop many owners, and they continue to indulge the dog from time to time with "delicious" - they say, if a little bit, then you can.
Alas, this is not so: some products for dogs are not only harmful, but also really dangerous, and even in small quantities. First of all, this applies to chocolate. It contains a number of substances that threaten the pet's health, primarily the alkaloid theobromine, which has an effect on the cardiovascular system. Depending on the size and condition of the dog, a few pieces of chocolate bar can cause fatal poisoning.
Chocolate poisoning: causes and symptoms
The problem is that the pets themselves are not even averse to eating chocolate - most dogs like its taste and smell. However, in order not to succumb to pleading looks and not to forget to clear chocolate from the table, it is enough to imagine what effect it has on the dog's body.
The bitter taste of real chocolate comes from theobromine, a plant-derived alkaloid found in cocoa beans. Theobromine in small doses is useful for people: it stimulates cardiac activity, improves blood flow and, in general, has an effect on a person similar to caffeine. However, the same properties make it dangerous for dogs. Theobromine excites the central nervous system, sharply increases the heart rate, resulting in arrhythmia, tachycardia; has a diuretic effect, which can lead to rapid dehydration of the animal's body. The first signs of chocolate poisoning in a dog are vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing and palpitations, agitation, and intense thirst. When the condition worsens, convulsions develop; the outcome may be coma and death of the animal. If you suspect chocolate poisoning, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
The toxic dose of chocolate for dogs is small: approximately 7 g of dark chocolate (it contains the most theobromine) per 1 kg of animal weight. A standard 100 gram tile usually consists of twelve pieces, each weighing just over 8 grams; for a small dog, three or four pieces may be enough to get severe poisoning with an unclear outcome.
A one-time treat can do without consequences (or they will go unnoticed), but a pet can become addicted to chocolate the first time - and one day it will try to get to a chocolate bar forgotten on the table. Therefore, chocolate should be under a complete and unequivocal ban; if guests came to the house for a holiday or celebration, it would be useful to warn them that in no case should you give chocolate to a dog.
| Ekaterina 07. 12. 2012 |
You have probably heard that chocolate is a deadly poison for dogs. Is it true? If humans can eat chocolate, why can't dogs?
Dogs and humans are different creatures in many ways. For example, our pets can run around in the snow all day without much damage. Humans can run barefoot in the snow for up to 30 seconds before feeling pain.
The source of the problem for dogs is a plant-based substance called theobromine found in cocoa beans. It is toxic to our smaller brothers. From the human body, methylxanthines, such as theobromine, are excreted much more efficiently than from the dog. This is why dogs can't have chocolate.
How much theobromine is in chocolate?
Theobromine is similar to caffeine and is used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, vasodilator, and muscle relaxant.
- The half-life of theobromine in the dog is 17.5 hours.
- If the dog has eaten chocolate, then the toxic dose is 100-150 mg/kg of body weight.
However, the concentration of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate. For example:
- Milk chocolate contains 154 mg of theobromine per 100 g. A toxic dose for a 22 kg dog is 1400 g of milk chocolate.
- White chocolate is practically harmless, as it contains about 3.5 mg of theobromine per 100 g.
- Semi-sweet chocolate contains 528 mg of theobromine per 100 g. A toxic dose for a 22 kg dog is 425 g of semi-sweet chocolate.
- Baking chocolate contains 1365 mg of theobromine per 100 g. A toxic dose for a 22 kg dog is 141 g of chocolate.
In general, the darker and bitterer the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for the dog.
Theobromine in chocolate-coated candies (such as those found in dried fruit chocolates) will be more diluted than in pure chocolate and hard chocolates.
Obviously, the chocolate in milk chocolate is quite diluted, which is why many dogs can eat a bite or two without much consequence. Some compassionate owners cannot stand the pitiful look of their pet and share sweetness with him. After all, the slice is so small, well, what bad can happen?
A small amount of chocolate will likely make your dog upset with vomiting or diarrhea. However, the main trouble is that the dog develops a love for chocolate and, at any opportunity, he may try to eat it. And it could be baking chocolate, which the owners accidentally left on the table.
What to do if the dog ate chocolate?
If you see that your dog has swallowed chocolate, or if he develops any of the symptoms described below, contact your nearest veterinary clinic.
Symptoms of poisoning can be as follows:
- Vomit.
- Diarrhea.
- Increase in body temperature.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Rapid breathing.
- restless behavior.
- Increase in heart rate.
- Low blood pressure.
- Convulsions and muscle spasms.
- Heart failure, weakness and coma.
One piece of chocolate shouldn't be a problem, as it doesn't contain a high enough dose of theobromine to harm your pet. However, if you have a small dog that ate a box of chocolates, you need to go to the vet right away. Don't wait for everything to "go away". Chocolate is a poison for dogs and it will have to be removed from the body with the help of special medicines.
Remember: a dog with signs of poisoning should not be treated at home. The sooner you show it to a specialist, the better the prognosis for recovery will be.
Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning can develop within hours and last 2-3 days. This is due to the long half-life of theobromine.
How is chocolate poisoning treated?
Treatment depends on the amount and type of chocolate eaten. In the early stages, it is enough to induce vomiting and give the dog activated charcoal to block the absorption of theobromine in the body. Activated charcoal may be given every four to six hours for the first twenty-four hours after poisoning to shorten the resorption and recycling of theobromine.
Very often, other procedures, such as intravenous fluid therapy, are needed to help dilute the toxin and speed up its elimination. Also, the veterinarian can give the dog medicine that will slow the heart rate in case of increased heart rate and arrhythmias.
While eating chocolate is rarely fatal, it can cause severe poisoning in your pet. Chocolate is toxic because it contains methylxanthine theobromine. This substance is toxic to dogs and can lead to serious clinical symptoms, especially if left untreated.
Incredible Facts
Chocolate in surprisingly small amounts can seriously affect your dog's health, causing death in some cases. Reportedly, veterinarians around the world repeatedly encounter cases of severe intoxication in their practice in our smaller brothers, caused by the consumption of certain doses of chocolate. Moreover, the greatest danger to animals is the so-called healthy dark chocolate (healthy for humans), although milk chocolate can also be a deadly poison. Everything depends on the dose.
Why is chocolate so dangerous for dogs? How much chocolate should your pet eat for it to become intoxicated? What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs? And finally, what should be done if your four-legged friend ate a healthy dose of chocolate? You will find answers to all these questions in this article.
As you know, the most toxic components of chocolate are caffeine and theobromine. It is theobromine, which is found in high concentration in this delicacy, and causes the highest number of poisonings among dogs. The problem is that theobromine affects the animal's digestive system, nervous system (brain), as well as the cardiovascular system (including the lungs and heart) and kidneys in a complex.
The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs depend on the amount of chocolate eaten, the type of chocolate, and how long ago the chocolate was eaten. The most common symptoms of such poisoning are gastrointestinal manifestations, such as indigestion, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is not uncommon to observe an increase in the activity of the animal, restlessness, increased heart rate, as well as frequent urination and a desire to drink. The most severe symptoms occur when the nervous system is affected. In this case, seizures, fever, rapid breathing, increased body temperature (hyperthermia) and even coma can occur.
Chocolate weighing 140 grams contains 250 mg of theobromine. Definitely toxic and potentially fatal to a dog's life is a dose of chocolate that contains 60 milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of the animal's weight. Thus, a dog that weighs 4.5 kilograms will only need to eat a bar of chocolate, which contains 300 milligrams of theobromine, to start intoxication. Clinical symptoms will be noticeable already after consuming 20 milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of weight(a dog with the same weight - 4.5 kilograms - will begin to show signs of poisoning after consuming one hundred grams). At the same time, serious symptoms can be recorded after consuming 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (that is, after two hundred grams of chocolate for the given example).
So, if we are talking about, say, a poodle weighing 4.5 kilograms, even one bar of milk chocolate containing 250 milligrams of theobromine can be fatal for such a dog. At the same time, a dog weighing up to 40 kilograms or more (e.g. golden retriever), will have to eat as many as 8 bars of milk chocolate for serious symptoms of poisoning to appear. At the same time, dark chocolate and confectionery chocolate are much more toxic! For the same retriever, only three bars of dark chocolate can be fatal.
How to help a dog poisoned by chocolate?
If your pet has eaten chocolate, you should try to find out exactly how much of this delicacy was eaten. Then, given the type of chocolate, as well as taking into account the information provided earlier in this article, it remains only to estimate how high the probability of toxic poisoning of the animal is. If the dose of chocolate exceeded 20 milligrams per kilogram of the animal's weight, it is necessary to induce vomiting in the animal (at home or by visiting a veterinary office).
If we talk about ways to induce vomiting in your pet, then you can use hydrogen peroxide - one teaspoon for every 4.5 kilograms of the dog's weight. If such a dose does not cause vomiting in the animal within 10 minutes, it is necessary to repeat the emetic. At the same time, some experts do not recommend using more than two repetitions when it comes to hydrogen peroxide. You can also use a saline solution: one teaspoon of salt to one tablespoon of water. This is a dose for every 4.5 kilograms of animal weight. If you are unable to induce vomiting in your dog, or if the animal is experiencing excessive vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and fever, you should take him to the veterinarian immediately.
So, as you can see, not everything that brings pleasure and joy to people is useful to our smaller brothers. And if you have taken on the responsibility of taking care of your four-legged friend, you should also be attentive to his diet. Make sure your dog doesn't accidentally eat even a small piece of chocolate. (not to mention giving her chocolate on purpose!). Be vigilant in relation to the health of your dog, be able to recognize the symptoms of poisoning and learn the rules of first aid. Otherwise, even a small oversight can cost your pet a life.
Many dog owners often love to spoil their pets with different treats. Shares his food from the table. Especially when the dog looks straight into his mouth with his pitying eyes. But veterinarians categorically forbid treating pets with food prepared for humans. Chocolate is one of the most banned foods. Even if you really want to sweeten the life of your beloved pet, this must be abandoned. Therefore, to the frequently asked question: “Can dogs be fed sweet chocolate?” - the answer is simple. No, chocolate should never be given to dogs.
Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?
The owner should know that chocolate is bad for the health of our four-legged friends. If a pet eats chocolate, regardless of white, milky or bitter, then his health will certainly worsen, with large doses death can occur. This is due to the fact that alkaloids are dangerous for animals in sweets. But it's not just them. Let's break down the ingredients to be sure.
Substances harmful to the health of dogs contained in chocolate bars
- The most dangerous are alkaloids. In simple terms, substances intoxicate the brain, which negatively affects the animal. The pet feels artificially induced pleasure. Yes, it is even useful for a person! Therefore, a small amount of chocolate for people relieves stress and improves mood.
- Cocoa beans also contain caffeine, which is also an alkaloid. This substance is highly addictive. Animal under the influence of caffeine becomes excited, aggressive. Although regular chocolate contains a small amount of this product.
- Cocoa beans contain tannins. It's good that they are few in number. They can cause various diseases in animals, as they have a negative effect on brain neurons. Therefore, it is worth thinking before giving your pet a piece of milk chocolate.
- Chocolates contain acids, a small amount of protein and minerals, which is bad for the animal's body.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs
Note! Even a small piece of chocolate is dangerous. It was said above that sweetness contains alkaloids. The most dangerous is theobromine. It harms the circulatory system of the dog, which can lead to death. Even 5 mg of theobromine can harm the health of a furry pet. Therefore, you should not tempt fate. If you go to any veterinary forum, you can read that if the dog ate a sweet bar in an unlimited amount, you must urgently take her to the hospital. Now think about whether it is possible for a dog to eat delicious chocolate.
What to do if the dog ate a large amount of chocolate
For most dogs, real chocolate is an attractive treat. Pets of different breeds will happily devour the found chocolate bar, which the irresponsible owners left in an accessible place. And your pet doesn't care if it's white chocolate or a piece of milk chocolate, or dark bitter chocolate. Pets, having found a sweet tile, will eat it without a trace, and, consequently, severe poisoning will occur. It is good if the owner is nearby and recognizes the symptoms of poisoning.
Symptoms of food poisoning
You'll know right away if sweet chocolate can be eaten by dogs when you know what symptoms it can cause. The toxic dose of sweetness that can lead to death depends on the breed of dog, how much it weighs a kilogram, and on the manufacturer of the chocolate bar. If a pet weighs 20 kilograms, then finding real chocolate, namely a standard 100 gram bar and eating it, it is guaranteed to get chocolate poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning will begin to appear gradually.
- Diarrhea will occur first. Then nausea and vomiting. The main thing is not to give her drugs that block these symptoms. It is important that the pet's body itself fights the disease and cleanses itself of a product harmful to it.
- The pet becomes hyperactive. He constantly runs, jumps, barks incessantly, in a word becomes active and excited.
- Another symptom that shows that something is wrong with the dog is frequent urination. The veterinary forum says that at this moment of poisoning, you need to urgently go to the clinic.
- If a four-legged friend ate a chocolate bar along with foil, then the abdominal cavity swells due to intestinal obstruction.
- Further, the body temperature becomes higher than normal. The animal begins to breathe heavily and get confused in space.
- If you do not provide first aid for the above symptoms, the pet may experience convulsions in the first 32 hours.
- On the second day, the pet dies. Well, what do you think? Can you give dogs chocolate?
Providing first aid to pets in case of poisoning
Timely medical assistance will save the life of your pet. If you do not take the dog to the veterinary clinic in a timely manner, then his health will be at zero. From the half-life of theobromine, health will deteriorate, and the animal will fall into a coma, and then death will occur. Only a qualified veterinarian will be able to cure a pet of a serious poisoning. Therefore, the main thing is not to panic, but to quickly pack up and go to the clinic for professional help.
As soon as the first symptoms of poisoning appear, go to the veterinarian. No need to wait for everything to pass, of course. It will be too late when the coma sets in. Depending on what breed your pet has, the doctor will prescribe the right treatment. Also important is the age and how quickly you reacted and brought the fluffy to the clinic. A responsible owner should know that only professional help will save the life of defenseless pets.
Even if you don't give your dogs sweets, it may happen that they have found the chocolate bar themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to know what help can be provided at the first symptoms at home. But only at the initial stage of poisoning. The main thing is not to interfere with the body of the animal to cope with the trouble. You can not use antiemetics - this is a strict rule. Vomiting should be increased so that toxic substances leave the body faster.
To stimulate the gag reflex, a solution based on soda or salt is used. It is necessary to pour 500 milliliters of warm water into a bowl, and then add 2 tablespoons of salt or soda. If the dog refuses to drink on its own, gently pour into the mouth. As soon as the vomiting becomes free of impurities, sorbents, such as activated charcoal, should be given. After an important point - go to the veterinary clinic.
What Can Your Pet Eat Instead of Chocolate?
We have already found out that chocolate is poisonous to a pet. But if the dog loves sweets and asks for regular chocolate, then it can be replaced. To maintain the health of a four-legged pet, veterinarians advise adding the following foods to a complete diet:
- Instead of giving a small piece of a candy bar, indulge in fruit instead. Fresh you can apple, banana, raspberry, blackberry. It is better not to abuse dried fruits, as they contain sucrose. But if the dog asks, then you can feed in small quantities. Grapes and raisins should not be consumed by animals, as they negatively affect the health of vital organs.
- A teaspoon of natural honey is the best sweet substitute. But do not forget that everything should be in moderation.
- A four-legged friend can occasionally eat seeds and nuts. Frequent use of these products will lead to obesity.
I hope we answered your question: “Can a dog eat chocolate?”. If a pet has a sweet tooth, then it is easy to find a replacement for it. Even a small amount of chocolate will harm your pet's health, so it's not worth the risk.
