is chocolate bad for dogs?

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine all contain alkaloid molecules known as methylxanthines.

Theobromine - the methylxanthine found specifically in chocolate products - is very similar to caffeine.

In humans, theobromines are mildly diuretic (increases urine production), act as a mild stimulant, and relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi in the lungs.

They're very dangerous for animals including cats, horses and dogs... because these animals metabolize them more slowly than humans. The heart, central nervous system, and kidneys are affected.

above: two-dimensional molecular structure of theobromine, a naturally-occurring alkaloid that is similar to caffeine. Theobromine is also known as xantheose.

Eating chocolate can cause

vomiting,
diarrhea,
panting,
excessive thirst and urination,
hyperactivity,
abnormal heart rhythm,
tremors,
seizures

.......and even death.

Early signs of theobromine (chocolate) poisoning in dogs include nausea and vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and increased urination or incontinence.

The treatment at this stage is to induce vomiting.

Cardiac arrhythmias and seizures are symptoms of more advanced poisoning.

Darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Milk chocolate: 44 - 60 mgs/ounce
Unsweetened baking chocolate: 450 mg/oz
Cacao meal: 300 - 900 mg/oz
Cacao beans: 300 - 1200 mg/oz
Hot chocolate: 13 mg/oz

The lethal dosage
of theobromine in dogs is between 250 and 500 mgs/kg, or

about 2/3 to 1 1/3 of a baking chocolate square for every 2.2 pounds of body weight.

However, serious non-fatal poisonings have been reported in dogs after eating smaller amounts.

If you think your dog's eaten chocolate don't panic - but DO act quickly. Get your dog to vomit - call the vet - take the remaining chocolate with you if possible.

This method should only be used:

- if you're sure your dog has eaten chocolate
- in the previous two hours

Important: do not induce vomiting if your dog is unconscious, is having trouble breathing, or is exhibiting signs of serious distress or shock.

Keep a dog poisoning kit handy

Make this yourself today:

- buy 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore
- collect a turkey baster or eye dropper to give the mixture to your dog
- print out this list that shows you how much mixture to give your dog, based on weight

Dosage

- mix EQUAL PARTS hydrogen peroxide and water and give right away
- 1 or 2 tablespoons per 10 lbs. body weight to induce vomiting
- use a turkey baster or eyedropper if necessary to give mixture to dog by mouth
- repeat up to 3 times

Chocolate and other products made from cacao beans - including cocoa mulch used in many gardens - contain substances toxic to dogs and cats.

No surprise - the main culprit is theobromine, the caffeine-like chemical which acts as a mild diuretic and stimulant in human beings but is poisonous to animals less well equipped to metabolize it.

Cocoa mulch is dangerous because:

- dogs can be attracted to the scent
- it has very high levels of theobromine compared to chocolate

Generally packages of cocoa mulch don't have warnings.

"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."

Keep a dog poisoning kit handy
Make this yourself today
mix EQUAL PARTS hydrogen peroxide and water and give right away
1 or 2 tablespoons per 10 lbs. body weight to induce vomiting
use a turkey baster or eyedropper if necessary to give mixture to dog by mouth

Download a handy printable reference guide here.