People love dogs. Pet owners unaware of the dangerous effect of some people food to animals would share whatever they are eating with the pet. It is really quite perplexing how a perfectly safe food for humans can be poisonous to dogs. Although humans and dogs have similarities in genetics, they differ in so many ways. One of these differences is the dog’s inability to digest chocolates. Dogs are given bits of chocolate because not many dog owners are aware of the toxic effects of this food on dogs. Humans get a lot of benefits from chocolates. Chocolates + dogs is an equation that can have dangerous results.
The substance theobromine in chocolate is the reason why this world’s most loved treat is toxic to dogs. Theobromine the chemical that is similar to caffeine is found in cocoa beans from where chocolate is derived. Theobromine is dangerous to dogs as it acts as stimulant that causes frequent urination, affects heart muscles and the kidneys and the central nervous system. These dangerous effects are caused by the dog’s inability to digest this substance. Continued consumption will increase the accumulation of the substance in the dog’s system until the high level of toxic concentration causes a variety of medical concern.
Pet owners have this habit of sharing anything they eat with the pet thus a slice of chocolate cake or a bite of the chocolate bar will be tossed to the dog. Apparently, a dog will not show signs of poisoning if only a small amount of these kinds of chocolates are consumed. Chocolate is dose dependent meaning that a dog has to ingest about 100 to 150 milligrams per kilogram of dog body weight before the toxicity level can be reached. The toxicity level would depend on the type of chocolate consumed. White chocolates have little amount of theobromine thus the toxicity level is quite low. A dog has to ingest about 200 ounces of white chocolate per pound of body weight before the dog shows clinical signs of chocolate poisoning. Milk chocolates and semi-sweet chocolates contains more of toxic substance thus a substantial amount consumed will be dangerous to the pet. The baking chocolate is considered to be the most dangerous among all types of chocolates. Althogh a dog owner may not give the dog baking chocolate it is still possible for the dog to ingest substantial amount because the dog’s nose would find where the chocolates are kept and would have an eating spree. The dog has to have medical attention ASAP. It is always good to know what to do if your dog has eaten chocolate.