Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs - Fact Or Fiction?
There's no doubt about it--chocolate poisoning in dogs is a very real and common danger.
So who feeds their dogs chocolate, anyway?Well, there are always a few well-meaning people who are so big-hearted that they want to share everything they have with their furry friend, even sweets.
After all, just a little taste of my yummy chocolate bar won't hurt Fluffy, will it?The short answer is "Yes.
"How much it hurts him depends on how big your dog is, how much chocolate you give him, and what kind of chocolate it is.
Chocolate poisoning in dogs can occur with just a nibble of this sweet treat, especially for small dogs.
Baking chocolate is the most dangerous (with dark chocolate running a close second), because that kind has the highest concentration of theobromine.
You see, every form of "real" chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which contain theobromine.
This little item is a powerful stimulant, the source of the toxicity for dogs.
That's why all chocolate contains at least some amount of theobromine and should be avoided at all costs.
Early symptoms of chocolate poisoning (usually within two hours of ingestion) include panting, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination.
If your dog ate enough chocolate, his symptoms may progress to convulsions, loss of urinary control, coma and even death.
If you even suspect your dog has ingested some chocolate, it's important to get him to your veterinarian immediately.
There is no antidote for chocolate toxicity.
Treatment consists of trying to eliminate the toxins through vomiting, using activated charcoal as a filtering agent, and/or using intravenous fluids to help flush the toxins from your dog's system and keep him from becoming dehydrated.
Your vet can also monitor Fluffy carefully and treat whatever serious symptoms may appear later.
OK, I know you wouldn't dream of feeding your dog chocolate.
So what's all the fuss about?Especially during the holidays, your precious pooch can sneak into that unattended box of chocolates--or the candy bar that your child laid down for just a minute--faster than you can say "Merry Christmas.
"You need to be especially vigilant to keep all chocolates out of reach at all times.
Just when you thought you had enough to worry about, manufacturers came out with cocoa mulch.
Can you believe it?So before you buy mulch for your next landscaping project, check the label to make sure that lovely brown stuff isn't made from cocoa bean shells, which contain even more theobromine than chocolate.
Munching cocoa mulch can create chocolate poisoning in dogs just as surely as a yummy candy bar.
Who would have thought?
So who feeds their dogs chocolate, anyway?Well, there are always a few well-meaning people who are so big-hearted that they want to share everything they have with their furry friend, even sweets.
After all, just a little taste of my yummy chocolate bar won't hurt Fluffy, will it?The short answer is "Yes.
"How much it hurts him depends on how big your dog is, how much chocolate you give him, and what kind of chocolate it is.
Chocolate poisoning in dogs can occur with just a nibble of this sweet treat, especially for small dogs.
Baking chocolate is the most dangerous (with dark chocolate running a close second), because that kind has the highest concentration of theobromine.
You see, every form of "real" chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which contain theobromine.
This little item is a powerful stimulant, the source of the toxicity for dogs.
That's why all chocolate contains at least some amount of theobromine and should be avoided at all costs.
Early symptoms of chocolate poisoning (usually within two hours of ingestion) include panting, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination.
If your dog ate enough chocolate, his symptoms may progress to convulsions, loss of urinary control, coma and even death.
If you even suspect your dog has ingested some chocolate, it's important to get him to your veterinarian immediately.
There is no antidote for chocolate toxicity.
Treatment consists of trying to eliminate the toxins through vomiting, using activated charcoal as a filtering agent, and/or using intravenous fluids to help flush the toxins from your dog's system and keep him from becoming dehydrated.
Your vet can also monitor Fluffy carefully and treat whatever serious symptoms may appear later.
OK, I know you wouldn't dream of feeding your dog chocolate.
So what's all the fuss about?Especially during the holidays, your precious pooch can sneak into that unattended box of chocolates--or the candy bar that your child laid down for just a minute--faster than you can say "Merry Christmas.
"You need to be especially vigilant to keep all chocolates out of reach at all times.
Just when you thought you had enough to worry about, manufacturers came out with cocoa mulch.
Can you believe it?So before you buy mulch for your next landscaping project, check the label to make sure that lovely brown stuff isn't made from cocoa bean shells, which contain even more theobromine than chocolate.
Munching cocoa mulch can create chocolate poisoning in dogs just as surely as a yummy candy bar.
Who would have thought?
