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Chocolate toxicity in dogs is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Us, humans tend to share our food with our pets especially if we treat them more like a family member than a pet.

Our pets, or animals in general have “sweet tooth.” While studies show that chocolates may be of some beneficial health to us, humans, it proves otherwise for the animals. It is even fatal for them. Dogs have the highest incidence rate of this poisoning due to their keen sense of smell and the unsuspecting and unknowledgeable owner giving him some.

Chocolate came from the cacao tree and its main compound is Theobromine which is toxic. There is also caffeine present in chocolate but is smaller amounts though. Both the caffeine and theobromine are under the drug class Methylxanines.

Chocolate Toxicity in dogs

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. Source: WebMD, http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/dogs-and-chocolate-get-the-facts by Salynn Boyles

Methylxanines’ effect on humans:

Nausea and vomiting

Cardiovascular stimulant

Mild BP increase

CNS stimulant

Why is it not toxic to humans?

The human system is capable of breaking down and excrete Theobromine much more effectively than dogs.

Are there chocolates that are more toxic than others?

Absolutely. The unsweetened chocolate has 8-10x more Theobromine than the milk chocolate has. The semi-sweet chocolate somehow falls between the two. White chocolate on the other hand has little Theobromine that is unlikely to poison your Pekingese.

Theobromine level guide:

Cocoa bean mulch – 225 mg/oz

Milk chocolate – 44-64mg Theobromine per ounce chocolate

White chocolate contains insignificant amount of methylxanines

Dry cocoa powder – 800mg/oz

Unsweetened (baker’s) chocolate – 450 mg/oz

And that is the chocolate toxicity in dogs. Now, you know why chocolate is bad for your Pekingese and there is no reason or whatsoever for you to indulge you Peke in a chocolate treat! It doesn’t matter if he loves its sweet taste, what matters is that you look out after your Peke’s health and welfare.

Know any more foods that are toxic to dogs? Share with us so that we may also know. Like how the old addage goes, knowledge is power. Feel free to leave your piece of advice below.