The devoted and honest eyes of a dog begging for a treat are capable of pitying the strictest owner. And when there is a bar of chocolate at hand, there is a great desire to share at least one slice.
But veterinarians and experienced owners categorically do not recommend giving such a treat. Let's find out what consequences a dog's consumption of chocolate can lead to, and what to do if he ate it without permission.
What will happen now?
If you stole a little
One piece of chocolate usually does not cause any discomfort to the dog. This is especially true for large individuals. Regarding dwarf breeds and small puppies, you need to consider what type of chocolate was eaten.
A danger to dogs is one of the components contained in cocoa beans -
methylxanthine theobromine , which acts as a poison on the dog's body. Accordingly, the higher the content of cocoa beans in chocolate, the more dangerous it is. The toxic dose of theobromine for dogs is 100 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Here is the data on the dosage of theobromine in different types of chocolate (per 100 g):
- White – 3.5 mg.
- Chocolates – 64 mg.
- Dairy – 205 mg.
- Dark 60% – 493 mg.
- Bitter 70% – 632 mg.
- Bitter 85% – 802 mg.
- Pekarsky – 1365 mg.
As you can see, one chocolate candy or a piece of white chocolate is practically harmless, even for small animals. But a slice of bitter or baking product can cause serious harm to a small organism: at a minimum – indigestion, rash and itching, and at worst – poisoning.
Lots (tiles or more)
The consequences depend on the quality of the chocolate, and of course on the size of the pet itself. For example, a bar of natural bitters may be fatal to an individual weighing less than 15 kg, while a white bar may only cause some allergic symptoms or mild stomach upset.
When a large amount of a dangerous substance is consumed, severe poisoning occurs, which can be fatal.
Lethal dose
Doses of dark chocolate that pose a mortal danger to breeds of different body weights:
- Yorkshire Terriers – 70 gr. and more;
- Pugs – from 100 g;
- Labradors – from 400 g;
- Mastiffs – from 900 gr.
If you realize that the amount consumed has exceeded the dose, urgently take the animal to the veterinary clinic. In practice, complete recovery occurs if the removal of toxins from the body is carried out in the first 12-30 hours. Often, after the development of seizures or disruption of the heart, the animal cannot be saved.
Chocolate that dogs can eat
The reasons why dogs should not be given regular chocolate seem to be clear. However, this cannot be explained to four-legged friends. And having tried it once, they are ready to constantly beg the owner for a piece of delicacy. Their brain perceives such food as a simple energy resource. To avoid negative consequences, the animal owner has to refuse them this.
Why chocolate is deadly for dogs
But the food industry for our little brothers is not marking time. Specialists have developed and produced special “goodies” for pets, including dog chocolate. This delicacy does not contain cocoa beans and sugar (or in very limited quantities), which means it is harmless to the body of your four-legged friend. This product looks the same as regular chocolate, slightly less rich in color and heterogeneous in structure. And this product is not just a treat, but serves as an additional source of nutrients.
Ingredients of chocolate for dogs:
- milk or dairy products;
- palm kernel oil (in white chocolate) – for pets prone to allergies;
- lecithin – helps in the absorption of vitamins;
- vitamins A, B, D, E;
- stevia is a natural analogue of sugar, good for liver function;
- albumin (in dark chocolate) – a source of iron, necessary for the prevention of anemia;
- carob – carob powder, rich in fiber, vitamins A and B;
- brewer's yeast – vitamin and mineral supplement;
- Biotin is a complex of B vitamins.
How to properly feed your dog this chocolate
Any new treat should be given to your pet little by little to avoid possible allergies to any of the components. You shouldn’t often pamper your dog with chocolate, even if it’s a special one. This is still a high-calorie product and constant consumption of it can cause obesity in your four-legged friend. In limited quantities, chocolate for dogs is not just a delicacy, but also a necessary product for the health of the animal. It gives energy, a sense of vigor and improves mood. It can also be used during training as a reward.
As for breeds, there are no special instructions or contraindications in this regard. You need to look at your pet’s tendency to allergies. For the first time, you can give this treat to a 3-month-old puppy.
Important! Dog chocolate should not be given to pregnant or lactating animals!
Major manufacturers of chocolate for dogs
Currently, many companies are producing “goodies” for dogs. Among the most popular are the following:
- Choco Dog (Russia) produces white, milk and dark chocolate. “Chocolate Dog” contains stevia, a plant sweetener that has a beneficial effect on liver function. Produced in packages weighing 85, 50, 20, 15 g.
- Trixie GmbH & Co, Dr.Alders, Gimborn (Germany) – dairy products with vegetable fats, containing sugar and cocoa in small doses. Available in the form of bars (30 mg, 100 mg) and drops (100 g, 200 g). Used in small quantities as a substitute product to combat a dog’s sweet tooth.
- Tirbit (Germany) is also a dairy product. The peculiarity of the delicacy is in the filling, which is applied to the surface of the chocolate.
Dog chocolate
Homemade dog chocolate
It is not possible to prepare sweets for dogs at home. And it’s not even about the products: now every ingredient is available in stores. It is difficult to calculate the correct dosage of these components. And it is technically impossible to carry out this process.
Nutrition for a dog is one of the important parts of caring for its health. And the owner, as a loving owner, is ready to give his pet everything delicious. But it’s worth thinking about whether this delicious thing is also healthy? Veterinarians advise completely eliminating sugar from your dog’s diet, which is found in chocolate, candy, ice cream and other products. But if your pet still requires sweets, it’s worth reviewing its menu. Perhaps there is not enough glucose in it.
How can you tell if your pet has eaten too much?
The first sign is bar wrappers or empty, torn chocolate boxes. The dog itself may look very happy and cheerful in the first couple of hours. But don't relax. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning appear very quickly and proceed in stages:
- First, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness develop sharply.
- Then comes a period of hyperactivity: the muscles become tense and the heart rate increases. The pet's restless behavior is manifested by barking, constant movement, and frequent urination.
- Body temperature rises, shortness of breath appears, coordination of movements is impaired, and blood pressure drops.
- After 24-30 hours (depending on the amount eaten and the weight of the dog), without assistance, heart failure and convulsions occur.
If qualified assistance is not provided within 36 hours, the animal may fall into a coma and it will be impossible to save it.
First aid for poisoning
Considering the speed of development of theobromine poisoning, first aid at home can only be provided at the initial stage:
- You can't stop vomiting. And in its absence, it is necessary to induce a gag reflex so that the animal can get rid of toxins before they are completely absorbed: a warm solution (1 tablespoon of salt or soda per 200-250 ml of water). Purification is carried out until the vomit is clear.
- Next, you need to give absorbent drugs - for example, Enterosgel (1 tsp per ¼ glass of water), Polysorb (1-2 tsp per ¼ glass of water) or activated carbon (1 t per 1 kg of weight).
- Provide the animal with water. It is necessary to give him water if he does not drink on his own, otherwise dehydration may occur.
Further actions
After providing first aid, you must urgently contact a veterinarian, and, if possible, take the dog to the veterinary clinic yourself. Often, serious poisoning that chocolate can cause requires treatment that cannot be provided at home.
In many cases, an IV is placed. This procedure will help dilute the toxic substance and speed up the process of its elimination. Depending on the condition and consequences, the veterinarian may give medications: a heart rate reducer, an anticonvulsant, or intravenous glucose.
Treatment
Regardless of how much sweetness is eaten, the animal still needs to be urgently taken to a veterinary clinic. A blood test will be taken from the injured pet and an intravenous drip will be placed. When poisoning with chocolate products, a sharp decrease in blood sugar often occurs, so it may be necessary to administer a 40% glucose solution.
If convulsive conditions have developed, the owner has very little time to save the pet. The poisoned animal requires the administration of anticonvulsant and cardiac drugs. Theobromine does not have a specific antidote, so treatment of poisoning is only symptomatic.
How to wean and prevent?
Pampering dogs with even a small amount of chocolate is not recommended. They very quickly get used to such a delicacy, and begin to not just beg for it, but demand it.
The danger of this product is not only theobromine, but also sugar, regular consumption of which will inevitably lead to the development of diabetes, and caffeine, which is addictive and addictive.
- For treats, as well as for training, it is better to stick to other permitted and healthy treats: pieces of cheese, apples, carrots, etc.
- Store all chocolate products in inaccessible places; do not leave sweets on the table or in places where you can reach them.
- If the dog is already accustomed to the chocolate treat, try to wean it off by offering an alternative option. For example, special chocolate for dogs, which is sold in pet stores. It contains neither caffeine nor sugar, it is beneficial for digestion and has an attractive taste for the animal.
Chocolate should absolutely not be given to dogs. It not only contains a huge amount of sugar, which has a detrimental effect on the pet’s health, but also contains a substance that is poisonous to the dog’s body. In any quantity it is dangerous, so you need to completely avoid it, even as a rare treat.
And if it was eaten by a dog due to an oversight, be sure to consult a veterinarian in order to avoid serious health problems or the death of your four-legged friend.
Effect of the product on a living organism
The owner must strictly control that the dog does not eat the piece of chocolate. This treat is dangerous for her because it contains theobromine. The molecular structure of the substance coincides with caffeine. Both components act similarly - they inhibit the activity of the neurotransmitter adenosine at brain receptors. Adenosine controls the physiological processes of consciousness, prompting the body to rest. Theobromine activates nerve cells, which leads to an increase in the activity cycle. The substance stimulates the flow of oxygen to the brain and accelerates heart contractions.
The human body absorbs theobromine well and is able to quickly establish its life cycle. And in four-legged pets, the nervous system suffers greatly, since the effect of the substance lasts longer.
