Food Guidelines

Beware Chocolate Poisoning

“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

We just love to anthropomorphize our pooches?  Anthropo-what?  Well, you know–treat them like humans.  Well, don’t do it on Valentine’s Day.  Or at least, beware chocolate poisoning!!  Yes, chocolate is a poison to dogs.  Don’t pout.  Just know you get to keep all the chocolate to yourself!!  This PetMD article emphasizes  to beware chocolate poisoning. 

What Makes Chocolate Poisonous to Dogs?

Chocolate is made from cocoa, and cocoa beans contain caffeine and a related chemical compound called theobromine, which is the real danger.

The problem is that dogs metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans, Denver veterinarian Kevin Fitzgerald, PhD, tells WebMD…

Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Truly toxic amounts can induce hyperactivity, tremors, high blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, seizures, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest.

Dogs and Chocolate: How Much is Too Much?

The more theobromine a cocoa product contains, the more poisonous it is to your dog.

Unsweetened bakers chocolate contains about 390 milligrams of theobromine per ounce — about 10 times more than milk chocolate and more than twice as much as semi-sweet chocolate. White chocolate contains very little theobromine.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is potentially lethal.

But the real danger lies with dark chocolate. Merck warns that deaths have been reported with theobromine doses as low as 115 milligrams per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight.

So 20 ounces of milk chocolate, 10 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, and just 2.25 ounces of baking chocolate could potentially kill a 22-pound dog, Fitzgerald says.

Serious toxic reactions can occur with ingestion of about 100 to 150 milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of body weight.

Read the full article here.  And, beware chocolate poisoning!!  No matter how pleading those puppy eyes may be, keep it to yourself!!  Has your dog been sick from chocolate?  Did you have to take him to the vet?

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Avatar Of Tax Software

    tax software

    Sep 22, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    This web site definitely has all the information and facts I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  2. Avatar Of Latisha

    Latisha

    Oct 14, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    This posat wiol help the internet viewers for buyilding up new web site or even a weblog from start to end.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

DogingtonPost.com was created for the love of dogs. The site was conceived and built through the combined efforts of contributing bloggers, technicians, and compassioned volunteers who believe the way we treat our dogs is a direct reflection of the state of our society. Through the creation of a knowledge base that informs, uplifts and inspires, we can make a difference.
  • NewsBreak Icon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided 'AS IS' and is subject to change or removal at any time.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking them, we may get a small commission. The Dogington Post is dedicated to finding the best products for dogs and we will never recommend a product that we don’t love. All images and names which are not the property of The Dogington Post are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2024 Dogington Post. Founder: Harlan Kilstein

To Top

Like Us for Wonderful Dog Stories and Cute Photos!