Killer chocolate!

anaconda · 10-08-2005, 04:30 AM

Does anyone know that chocolate can cause heart failure in dogs? The blacker it is, the more dangerous it gets. The trouble is a lot of dogs love the stuff and will jump on to the table to eat it or try to snatch it out of your hand.

Can anyone confirm this?

Anaconda

Pippinislove · 10-08-2005, 05:06 AM

Yes, there is a substance in chocolate (I can't think of the name) that is poisonous to dogs. I don't know if it causes heart failure, but can make a dog sick, and if there's enough, can kill it. Baker's chocolate is the most dangerous.

Lexus11 · 10-08-2005, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaconda

Does anyone know that chocolate can cause heart failure in dogs? The blacker it is, the more dangerous it gets. The trouble is a lot of dogs love the stuff and will jump on to the table to eat it or try to snatch it out of your hand.

Can anyone confirm this?

Anaconda

The substance - even though I'm sure to spell it wrong - is Theobromine. It speeds up the hearts of our canines. Generally speaking a dog has no danger from eating a few m&m's or choc candys. (although obviously not the choice foods, but if they sneak some, there is no need to panic). It is the baker's chocolate that has a high dose of the ingredient in it, and smaller dogs run the risk of being affected more so than a larger dog by a moderate amount. Our dogs can't take the caffeine-like effect it has on their bodies.

Jamilupine · 10-08-2005, 09:42 AM

The same chemical also speeds up the hearts of humans. I always feel my heart flutter if I eat too much dark chocolate! The doctor says its normal in humans. Try to keep it away from dogs (I would assume cats too?).

calgal · 10-08-2005, 09:54 AM

Because dog love chocolate so much I'm seeing more and more chocolate treats for dogs, but made from carob. I use to buy the little box of chocolate malt flavored treats that were shaped like a hershey kiss only a little flatter. I haven't been able to find them anymore. The prices on the new chocolate candy is staggering.

Lil_Missy · 10-08-2005, 06:21 PM

I always worry of my dog getting his paws on chocolate

.Chocolate can also cause dierrha(sp?).Is there any type of medication for dogs if they happen to get sick from chocolate?I just wanted to know just incase cause you never know.

flyndog · 10-08-2005, 07:29 PM

If you dog shows symtoms of poisoning from chocolate, you should induce vomiting. But talk to your vet and ask what he/she recommends before you are faced with such an emergency.

anaconda · 10-09-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Because dog love chocolate so much

My great-uncle had a labrador that woke up if you said "chocolate biscuits"

Anaconda

Lexus11 · 10-09-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamilupine

The same chemical also speeds up the hearts of humans. I always feel my heart flutter if I eat too much dark chocolate! The doctor says its normal in humans. Try to keep it away from dogs (I would assume cats too?).

That's correct, it's just that us humans can take the caffeine effect

, and the dogs systems can't.

doberpeople · 10-09-2005, 04:28 PM

it is milk chocolate that is bad for dogs not just plain chocolate LOL

Owned by Lucy · 10-09-2005, 04:39 PM

Milk chocolate is the least dangerous as the harmful chemical is diluted by the cream and sugar that is added. The most dangerous is Bakers Chocolate as it is basicly pure and not diluted at all. There are many grades in between such as dark chocolate and simi-sweet. The higher the coco content the more harmful. White "chocolate" is not actually chocolate as it is just the cocobutter part with sugar added and none of the coco.

A couple of M&Ms or a Hershey bar will probably not harm your pooch unless there is an existing heart problem. (I had a dog that opened and ate a 5lb box of chocolates from under the Christmas tree with no ill effects.)

Lil_Missy · 10-09-2005, 04:56 PM

I had no idea that Hersheys and M&Ms couldnt harm your pet.Its chocolate so how can it not have any side effects?

Lexus11 · 10-09-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doberpeople

it is milk chocolate that is bad for dogs not just plain chocolate LOL

As Owned by Lucy stated, milk chocolate is the least dangerous of chocolates for a dog to get into. Bakers chocolate has the ablility to do the most harm as it is pure and the theobromine is not diluted at all.

doberpeople · 10-09-2005, 05:07 PM

actually it isnt... milk chocolate has sent my boxer to the vet many times... and when i made chocolate gravy (dontask) my boxer got in my bf plate and he wasnt sick

Owned by Lucy · 10-09-2005, 05:08 PM

It is a particular chemical from the coco plant that is a stimulate that can cause problems with the heart. In cheap chocolate (like M&Ms and Hershey kisses and bars) the amount of coco is very small (only 1-2%). It would be more of a problem in small dogs than in big dogs.

I didn't mean to imply no effects just not deadly or even very harmful. You may saee some diarrhea or hyperness from the sugar. Bakers chocolate is 78-85% coco so it is much more dangerous.

It also has a lot to do with the individual dog. My current dog comsumes consistant amounts of garlic daily (to ward of fleas and mosquitos) with no prolems with anemia. I have had dogs who couldn't have any without developing anemia. The same would be true with chocolate. I would not recommend that anyone feed their dogs M&Ms or a Hershey bar, but if they happen to get into it, it is not a big deal.

10-08-2005, 04:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
anaconda Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Spain Posts: 410 Rep Power: 67	Killer chocolate! Does anyone know that chocolate can cause heart failure in dogs? The blacker it is, the more dangerous it gets. The trouble is a lot of dogs love the stuff and will jump on to the table to eat it or try to snatch it out of your hand. Can anyone confirm this? Anaconda

10-08-2005, 05:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pippinislove My best friend is a DOG. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Computer chair Posts: 333 Rep Power: 75	Yes, there is a substance in chocolate (I can't think of the name) that is poisonous to dogs. I don't know if it causes heart failure, but can make a dog sick, and if there's enough, can kill it. Baker's chocolate is the most dangerous.
	__________________ "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." -Albus Dumbledore

10-08-2005, 09:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jamilupine We Graduated! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 547 Rep Power: 73	The same chemical also speeds up the hearts of humans. I always feel my heart flutter if I eat too much dark chocolate! The doctor says its normal in humans. Try to keep it away from dogs (I would assume cats too?).
	__________________ ~Jami

10-08-2005, 07:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 183	If you dog shows symtoms of poisoning from chocolate, you should induce vomiting. But talk to your vet and ask what he/she recommends before you are faced with such an emergency.
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

10-09-2005, 04:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
doberpeople Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	it is milk chocolate that is bad for dogs not just plain chocolate LOL
doberpeople Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0

10-08-2005, 09:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,807 Rep Power: 232	Because dog love chocolate so much I'm seeing more and more chocolate treats for dogs, but made from carob. I use to buy the little box of chocolate malt flavored treats that were shaped like a hershey kiss only a little flatter. I haven't been able to find them anymore. The prices on the new chocolate candy is staggering.

10-08-2005, 06:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lil_Missy Shiba Inus Rock Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 42 Rep Power: 58	I always worry of my dog getting his paws on chocolate .Chocolate can also cause dierrha(sp?).Is there any type of medication for dogs if they happen to get sick from chocolate?I just wanted to know just incase cause you never know.

10-09-2005, 04:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Owned by Lucy Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 429 Rep Power: 91	Milk chocolate is the least dangerous as the harmful chemical is diluted by the cream and sugar that is added. The most dangerous is Bakers Chocolate as it is basicly pure and not diluted at all. There are many grades in between such as dark chocolate and simi-sweet. The higher the coco content the more harmful. White "chocolate" is not actually chocolate as it is just the cocobutter part with sugar added and none of the coco. A couple of M&Ms or a Hershey bar will probably not harm your pooch unless there is an existing heart problem. (I had a dog that opened and ate a 5lb box of chocolates from under the Christmas tree with no ill effects.)
	__________________ Courtesy of Rip "A dog is not "almost human," and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such." -John Holmes

10-09-2005, 04:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lil_Missy Shiba Inus Rock Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 42 Rep Power: 58	I had no idea that Hersheys and M&Ms couldnt harm your pet.Its chocolate so how can it not have any side effects?

10-09-2005, 05:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
doberpeople Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	actually it isnt... milk chocolate has sent my boxer to the vet many times... and when i made chocolate gravy (dontask) my boxer got in my bf plate and he wasnt sick
doberpeople Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0

10-09-2005, 05:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
Owned by Lucy Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 429 Rep Power: 91	It is a particular chemical from the coco plant that is a stimulate that can cause problems with the heart. In cheap chocolate (like M&Ms and Hershey kisses and bars) the amount of coco is very small (only 1-2%). It would be more of a problem in small dogs than in big dogs. I didn't mean to imply no effects just not deadly or even very harmful. You may saee some diarrhea or hyperness from the sugar. Bakers chocolate is 78-85% coco so it is much more dangerous. It also has a lot to do with the individual dog. My current dog comsumes consistant amounts of garlic daily (to ward of fleas and mosquitos) with no prolems with anemia. I have had dogs who couldn't have any without developing anemia. The same would be true with chocolate. I would not recommend that anyone feed their dogs M&Ms or a Hershey bar, but if they happen to get into it, it is not a big deal.
	__________________ Courtesy of Rip "A dog is not "almost human," and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such." -John Holmes

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Chocolate Toxicity	mulroony	Dog Health Concerns	2	07-27-2005 11:12 AM
Help! My bassett ate 500gm of congac chocolate	basil the bassett	Dog Health Concerns	10	07-13-2005 06:42 AM
I am a new Chocolate lab owner and I need help	Chocolate Lab	Dog Behavior and Training	7	06-04-2005 04:58 PM
Your age by chocolate math!! 2005 version!!	kparx	The Global Paw	6	05-31-2005 09:57 AM
Your Age By Chocolate	Carrie	The Global Paw	13	05-30-2005 03:17 PM