Chocolate - A Poisonous Food For Dogs
Dogs only need to look pleadingly at the master and they would get whatever they want. Dogs love to eat and these four legged friends love to eat the food being eaten by the master. It is not surprising for dogs to love people food. Given a chance dogs would surely not trade the appetizing aroma and taste of people food with the unpleasant smelling dry kibble.
After a lot of dogs have died from the contaminated commercially prepared pet foods, dog owners have shunned commercial dog food and have started feeding the pets with home cooked meals. The risk of contamination would certainly be avoided if the dog's food is home cooked but owners have to be aware that some people food are dangerous to dogs. Dogs' metabolism is different from humans thus some food that are safe for human consumption would be poisonous to dogs. A dog owner may not be aware that dogs and chocolate is a bad combination as this people food can kill a dog.
People really love eating chocolates. Chocolate bars, choco drinks, baking chocolate and many other types of chocolates are mainstays in people's larder because chocolate is a favorite food. However, even a small amount of this mouth watering treat can have dangerous effects on the dog. The naturally occurring stimulant Theobromine in chocolates is poisonous to dogs. Theobromine in chocolate will stimulate the functioning of the dog's nervous system. The level of this stimulant varies with the type of chocolate. The level of theobromine increases as the chocolate gets darker thus cocoa beans would contain the most amount followed by baking chocolates. Milk chocolate and chocolate mixes would have the least amount of this dangerous stimulant.
Aside from the type of chocolate consumed the level of toxicity would also depend on the body weight of the dog. Vomiting and diarrhea are usually the first signs of chocolate poisoning. Restlessness and hyperactivity are indications that the dog's body has already absorbed the toxic substance. Frequent urination, muscle twitching excessive panting are other symptoms of chocolate poisoning. A dog that has eaten large amounts of chocolates can die in 30 minutes after consumption as the toxic substance would affect the functioning of the heart so that blood flow to the vital organs will be compromised.
Chocolate poisoning has no antidote. With chocolate poisoning, it would be much better to be safe than sorry thus even if the amount of chocolate ingested by the dog is unknown or even it the dog is not showing signs of poisoning, immediate medical attention must be given to the pet.
Want to know more about which foods are poisonous to dogs. Visit Sarah's Dogs for a thourough list of toxic dog foods as well as dog first aid tips.
