| Chocolate. Who can resist it?Your dogs health | | | | pounds!**What can be done once chocolate is |
| depends on it! (resisting, that is). We | | | | ingested?**Make note of the type of chocolate |
| humans get to indulge because most of us know | | | | ingested and how much was eaten, if |
| when to stop. But your dog won't quit after | | | | possible.Theobromine will stay in the |
| just a few. Give her a chance and she'll down | | | | bloodstream between 14 and 20 hours. Within |
| the whole box of Godivas in one gulp. So on | | | | two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting |
| Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind | | | | unless your dog is over stimulated, comatose, |
| to your best buddy if you eat all the | | | | or has lost the gag reflex.If your dog has |
| chocolates yourself!**Why is chocolate | | | | eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or |
| harmful to a dogs health?**Chocolate, as you | | | | displays any of the above symptoms, take her |
| know, is made with cocoa beans. And cocoa | | | | to the vet right away. If her symptoms are |
| beans contain methylxanthine alkaloids in the | | | | minor, make her eat activated charcoal. The |
| form of theobromine and caffeinea, which are | | | | unabsorbed theobromine binds to it and be |
| toxic to dogs. Chocolate can also contain | | | | passed out of the system. (In a pinch, burnt |
| high amounts of fat which can put your dogs | | | | - as in thoroughly blackened - toast will |
| health in jeopardy as well.**How Much is Too | | | | do.)**Are there any other products I should |
| Much?**Though it's certain that dogs and | | | | worry about?**Yes -- Cocoa Mulch!!No, it's |
| chocolate don't mix, different dogs react | | | | not chocolate, but the two products have |
| differently to the methylxanthines. And | | | | something in common. They're both derived |
| reactions can vary according to the age, size | | | | from the cocoa bean, and they're both |
| and overall health of the dog. The smaller | | | | hazardous to your dogs health.Cocoa bean |
| the dog the smaller the dose needed to | | | | shells are a by-product of chocolate |
| produce an effect. | | | | production and are popular as mulch for |
| | | | landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive |
| And of course, if your dog's health is | | | | color and scent, and the fact that the mulch |
| already weakened by other medical conditions, | | | | breaks down into an organic fertilizer.Some |
| he's more susceptible. The same holds for | | | | dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will |
| older dogs.. | | | | eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean |
| | | | shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% |
| Theobromine is present in differing amounts | | | | theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% |
| in different kinds of chocolate:· White | | | | in unprocessed beans.Eating cocoa mulch has |
| chocolate 1mg/oz | | | | four possible outcomes. The most common is |
| | | | vomiting, in 50% of cases. Next most common, |
| · Hot chocolate 12 mg /oz | | | | in 33% of cases, is tremors (shaking). And |
| | | | 17% end up with tachycardia (rapid heart |
| · Milk chocolate 44-66 mg/oz | | | | rate), hyperactivity or diarrhea. The fourth |
| | | | outcome is no effect on the dogs health at |
| · Semi-sweet chocolate 260 mg/oz | | | | all, and this is the result in 33% of |
| | | | cases.Although only 16 cases were reported in |
| · Dark chocolate 450 mg/oz (wow!) | | | | approximately one year (the duration of the |
| | | | study), reports are on the increase. |
| · Baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder | | | | California accounts for about 2/3 of cases |
| varies as much as 150-600 mg/oz.**How much | | | | reported so far. Fortunately, there have been |
| chocolate can a dog eat and survive?**That | | | | no reported fatalities, and getting your |
| depends in part on her weight.Under 200 mg | | | | friend to the vet promptly will assure a |
| theobromine per kg body weight (91mg per lb) | | | | happy outcome.**What's the Bottom |
| has not been observed to be fatal. A | | | | Line?**Thanks to a more educated public, |
| potentially lethal dose in a 16 pound. dog is | | | | fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate |
| only one pound of milk chocolate. Only two | | | | are being reported these days.Still, it pays |
| ounces of baking chocolate can cause serious | | | | to keep up with what's currently known about |
| problems in a 10-pound dog. People stop | | | | various foods and their effects on a dogs |
| eating chocolate before getting to toxic | | | | health and well being. Grapes and cocoa |
| levels, but dogs don't!**What are the warning | | | | mulch, for example, were discovered only |
| signs of a problem?**Any dog who's eaten | | | | recently to have harmful effects.If your dogs |
| chocolate should be watched closely for | | | | health is important to you (and I'm betting |
| symptoms, particularly smaller dogs, | | | | it is!), then keep him away from the |
| "seniors", and dogs with health problems. | | | | chocolates on Valentine's Day and other |
| Symptoms may range from from vomiting and | | | | holidays as well. And watch out year round |
| diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and | | | | for products made from the cocoa bean.In an |
| urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart | | | | emergency, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal |
| rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in | | | | Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.Carolyn |
| severe cases.While white chocolate may not be | | | | Schweitzer, a former family dentist, is a |
| as likely to cause a methylxanthine | | | | PowerSeller on eBay and owner and editor of |
| poisoning, the high fat content of lighter | | | | several websites, including Visit her there |
| chocolates could still lead to vomiting and | | | | to read about other foods that can harm your |
| diarrhea, and possibly the development of | | | | dogs health, and check frequently with |
| life-threatening pancreatitis. Too much fatty | | | | sources like the ASPCA for updates. Or sign |
| food will also affect a dogs health in the | | | | up for her "Cold Noses News" and she'll keep |
| same way it does ours, by packing on the | | | | you informed! |