Why dogs can't have chocolate
The human body is significantly different from the dog’s, and what is considered safe and beneficial for humans is completely contraindicated for dogs. It’s rare that any four-legged pet will refuse to treat themselves to a chocolate candy, and in some cases, more than one. Kind and loving owners, trying to please their four-legged friend, watch with emotion as their pet devolves a sweet treat on both cheeks. But after some time, the picture changes significantly: the beloved pet no longer looks contented and happy; on the contrary, the condition of the furry friend begins to deteriorate every minute.
The fact is that cocoa contains certain substances - methylxanthines, which are not absorbed by the dog's body. Caffeine and theobromine are present in any chocolate treat; dark and bitter chocolate are especially rich in these substances. In white and milk, their presence is minimal, but this does not mean that the pet can consume sweetness all the time. Methylxanthines have a cumulative effect, so if the animal regularly receives even one slice of milk or white treat, intoxication will still not be avoided.
The dangerous levels of theobromine and caffeine in various types of chocolate are as follows:
- Dark –7 grams per kg of animal weight;
- Dairy – 55.5 grams per kg of pet’s body weight;
- White – 25 grams per kg of pet’s weight.
Attention! The body of a faithful friend, unlike humans, does not contain special enzymes that can break down theobromine and caffeine, so chocolate poisoning in dogs is very common.
Signs of chocolate poisoning
You can accurately understand why dogs should not be given chocolate if you know what symptoms theobromine and caffeine cause in your four-legged friends:
- Vomiting (with or without blood);
- Diarrhea;
- Severe anxiety (an animal may behave unnaturally excited and even aggressive after eating chocolate);
- Frequent breathing, shortness of breath;
- Arrhythmia and/or tachycardia;
- Increased blood pressure;
- Increase in body temperature;
- Frequent urination;
- Problems with coordination;
- Convulsions;
- Coma.
The more chocolate the animal ate, the brighter the symptoms will be and the worse the consequences for the body will be. The first signs of chocolate poisoning may appear at least 3-4 hours after eating a confectionery product with cocoa, maximum – after 24-36 hours.
Symptoms of dog poisoning from chocolate products
The symptoms of theobromine poisoning are similar to many intoxications with toxic substances. To understand the true cause of the illness and choose an effective treatment for chocolate poisoning in dogs, the owner must remember the last time the pet consumed sweets with cocoa beans. The following signs indicate theobromine poisoning:
- The animal becomes overly excited. Heartbeat and urination increase.
- There is a lack of coordination of movements, the four-legged friend suffers from convulsive conditions.
- Body temperature drops noticeably.
- The animal is breathing frequently and heavily.
- Hypotension develops.
Info! It should be remembered that chocolate is poison for dogs, often leading to the death of the animal. If the dose of treats was too high, within 1.5 days the animal may develop heart failure, coma and then death.
How is it harmful?
Theobromine is a purine alkaloid, a nitrogen-containing substance found in cocoa beans. In medicine it is used to treat bronchopulmonary diseases. In small doses, it causes increased urination and stimulates the heart muscle. In large dosages, it initially has a stimulating, then depressing effect on the nervous system, dilates and constricts blood vessels. Chocolate, thanks to theobromine, which gives a feeling of artificial pleasure, always improves everyone’s mood and helps to cope with stress.
And for a dog it is a poison that causes euphoria and is highly addictive, and acts like a drug or alcohol. Theobromine has the same effect on the owner and his pet. The only difference is that in dogs the elimination period of theobromine is longer than in humans, about 20 hours. During this period, the dog’s body will fully experience the toxic effects of chocolate.
In addition, caffeine is an alkaloid; its effect is similar to theobromine, but it is found in much smaller quantities in chocolate. It causes severe agitation in the dog, which can cause the pet to become aggressive. It has a diuretic effect and is persistently addictive. There is no need to talk about the dangers of excess sugar. Obesity, allergies, accompanied by itching and dermatitis, and diabetes due to impaired insulin production - this is what awaits animals to whom their owners give sweets.
A large number of flavoring additives, both artificial and chemical, will also not bring anything good to the dog. And the raisins contained in chocolate can also cause poisoning or provoke kidney disease in a dog. For a small breed dog, 10-15 grams will be enough.
Even after studying the properties of the substances that make up chocolate, there will be owners who will say: “but it’s unlikely that anything will happen from a small piece of chocolate.” It may not happen, but you shouldn’t experiment on your pet, since different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine, which is what causes poisoning. The amount of theobromine directly depends on the amount of cocoa in the chocolate, and the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for the dog.
For example, per 100 grams:
- white chocolate – 3.5 grams;
- milk chocolate – 150-200 grams;
- dark bitter chocolate (60,70,85% cocoa) – from 490 to 800 grams;
- baking chocolate – 1350 grams.
According to the example described, it is clear that a small dog will be enough with a slice of milk chocolate.
Scientists from America, having conducted a study, found that the first signs of poisoning can begin already at a theobromine ratio of 20 mg/kg of animal weight, and are most often accompanied by intestinal disorders.
Sweets with chocolate, marshmallows, chocolate candies and chocolate bars contain less cocoa products and, accordingly, a smaller amount of a dangerous substance, but there is still more of it than in white chocolate. However, there is another catch here. These delicacies are very sweet and fatty, and can lead to the following diseases: pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney failure, obesity and heart disease.
First aid
If there is a suspicion that the animal may have been poisoned by theobromine, the victim must be urgently taken to a veterinarian. What to do if your dog ate chocolate? The owner's first aid before visiting a specialist consists of administering any adsorbent to the pet inside. An effective remedy is gastric lavage (inducing a gag reflex), this way the body will be cleansed of toxins. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), table salt or hydrogen peroxide diluted with water (1:1) will help provoke vomiting.
Treatment
Regardless of how much sweetness is eaten, the animal still needs to be urgently taken to a veterinary clinic. A blood test will be taken from the injured pet and an intravenous drip will be placed. When poisoning with chocolate products, a sharp decrease in blood sugar often occurs, so it may be necessary to administer a 40% glucose solution.
If convulsive conditions have developed, the owner has very little time to save the pet. The poisoned animal requires the administration of anticonvulsant and cardiac drugs. Theobromine does not have a specific antidote, so treatment of poisoning is only symptomatic.
The further prognosis depends on the amount of theobromine that enters the body and the effectiveness of the treatment started. If more than a day has passed since intoxication, the pet develops kidney failure, cardiac dysfunction and convulsions. This condition is considered extremely serious and almost always ends in death.
It is very important to take the necessary assistance measures in the first 4 hours after consuming a sweet product; in this case, complete recovery occurs.
What to do if your dog ate chocolate?
Option 1 - help from a veterinarian
If we notice any of the above symptoms or suspect that our four-legged friend has eaten chocolate, we must immediately take him to a veterinary clinic. Our reaction must be immediate.
Remember, the sooner you see the problem and start working, the more likely it is that toxins will not be able to enter the animal's bloodstream.
Option 2 - self-help
However, if for some reason we cannot take the pet to a specialist or we have to wait for his help, we can try to help ourselves. What can be done?
First of all, let's try to make our pet vomit.
Thanks to this, we will get rid of some toxic substances from the stomach and limit its absorption into the blood. Secondly, if we have activated charcoal, we can also give it to the dog. The recommended dose is one small teaspoon (or one tablet) per 10 kg of dog’s body weight.
Activated carbon absorbs toxins, so taking it will reduce the concentration of poison in the body.
Don't give your pets sweets. And when you leave, remove all the tasty treats from the table so that your four-legged friend doesn’t steal them.
The devoted and honest eyes of a dog begging for a treat are capable of pitying the strictest owner. And when there is a bar of chocolate at hand, there is a great desire to share at least one slice.
But veterinarians and experienced owners categorically do not recommend giving such a treat. Let's find out what consequences a dog's consumption of chocolate can lead to, and what to do if he ate it without permission.
Prevention of chocolate poisoning in dogs
Every owner is obliged to prevent the development of poisoning in his four-legged friend. The lethal dose of chocolate for a dog depends on the weight category of the animal, age and health status of the four-legged friend. The lower the weight of a shaggy pet, the more dangerous it is for him to be poisoned by a sweet treat. You can prevent intoxication if:
- Do not give confectionery to your pet;
- Hide candy in places inaccessible to your pet;
- Explain to children and other household members about the dangers of theobromine for animals.
Cocoa beans are a very dangerous product for the health of your furry pet. No matter how the pet begs for a treat, dogs are not allowed chocolate, even in small quantities. In the pet supply department you can purchase a special product that does not contain cocoa. This treat is completely safe and also very beneficial for the animal.
Composition of chocolate for dogs
This delicacy does not contain cocoa or sugar. Manufacturers replace cocoa with carob powder. But this type of treat like drops contains cocoa, but in small quantities - from 2.5% to 4%. Dairy is made from milk and dairy products, but, unfortunately, most manufacturers do not indicate which dairy products are contained in the treat.
White chocolate is made from palm kernel oil. At the same time, it contains vitamins and is recommended for dogs prone to allergic reactions, as well as for puppies.
One of the main beneficial components found in most chocolate treats is lecithin, which helps in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K, and also has a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys.
Treats of this type contain a complex of vitamins, in particular vitamins A, B, D, E.
There are chocolate-flavored vitamin drops intended for dogs of all breeds and ages, which are given as a fortified treat to improve the condition of the coat and skin.
