Dangers of Chocolate Consumption in Dogs (and Cats)
Ahh,
Valentine's Day! For someone this year is going to be extra especial, it it you?I always look forward to this day as an excuse to eat massive amounts of chocolate (I'm a serious chocoholic) but if you are a dog owner you must be really careful.
Chocolate can be toxic to your dog because it contains a substance called theobromine for which dogs (and cats, by the way) don't have the enzyme necessary to break it down.
Maybe some dogs can tolerate if they consume a small amount of milk chocolate, but the darker the chocolate (baking chocolate is the worst) the more serious the reactions which can range from:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- heartbeat irregularities
- seizures in epileptic dogs
- coma
- even death
It is important to note that the smaller the dog, the more affected it is by the same amount than a larger dog.
Here's a table that will give you an idea of the dangerous quantities of chocolate depending on dog's size and type of chocolate consumed.
| Amount of Dog's Weight | Amount of Milk Chocolate | Amount of Unsweetened Chocolate |
| 5 lbs. | 4 oz. | 1/2 oz. |
| 10 lbs. | 8 oz. | 1 oz. |
| 20 lbs. | 16 oz. | 2 1/2 oz. |
| 30 lbs. | 1 3/4 lbs. | 3 1/4 oz. |
| 40 lbs. | 2 1/2 lbs. | 4 1/2 oz. |
| 50 lbs. | 3 lbs. | 5 1/2 oz. |
| 60 lbs. | 3 3/4 lbs. | 6 3/4 oz. |
| 75 lbs. | 4 3/4 lbs. | 8 1/2 oz. |
So if this Valentine's Day (or anyday, if you're like me) you have lots of chocolate around the house and you are indulging yourself, do Fido and me a favor, don't feed him chocolate no matter how much he begs for it. You don't want this Valentine's Day to be extra especial for the wrong reasons, like a trip to the ER with your dog.
I could say: "don't have any chocolate and your dog and waist are going to thank you for it", but it would be hypocritical of me to say, I don't mess with chocolate. If you don't know how to properly dispose of the chocolate, you can send it to me, I'll take care of it (that's my part of the favor, LOL)
Happy Valentines Day!
© 2007. Mariangie Gonzalez has a major in Animal Science and runs the day-to-day operations of her home-based business www.MindBodyAndPaw.com. Visit to learn how natural remedies and herbal supplements could prolong and improve your pet's life.