One Tip To Dramatically Enhance You(r) Dog Chocolate

A square of chocolate will therefore have a more pronounced effect on a Chihuahua, which typically weighs about 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kilograms) than on a Saint Bernard, which can weigh as much as 180 pounds (81.6 kg). However, the agency can confirm that there are more than 116 CBP agriculture canine teams consisting of dogs and handlers. Why do dogs bury bones? Learn why puppy parents are choosing Dutch. Something that the holiday season does bring some puppy hazards. Read more from the ASPCA on their Toxicology and Poison Control web page, to learn about toxins, medications, hazards and resources that could help you save the life of your pet in the event of a toxic exposure. The ASPCA also compiled a list of other human foods that are hazardous for pets to eat, such as avocados, coconuts, citrus and alcohol, among others. During holidays such as Easter, when delicious chocolate may be more commonly found around the house, it’s even more important to be vigilant about your pet gulping down this human treat. What’s more, this doggie delicacy is quite simple to prepare, even with little ones. From time to time, you could even put a thin layer of peanut butter on it (unsalted and without xylitol).

Put out the mayo, mustard and ketchup as usual and also provide chopped onion, pickle relish, coleslaw, chili and cheese. To see how our solutions can help, don’t hesitate to check out our offerings today. Medically treat your pet’s issues today. Medically treat your cat’s issues today. At Dutch, our platform makes it easy for pet parents to detect, manage, and treat issues such as chocolate poisoning. In fact, during Christmastime, dogs are four times more likely to require a vet visit for chocolate poisoning than during non-holidays; and on Easter, dogs are twice as likely to be sickened by chocolate, compared with other times of the year, Live Science previously reported. Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter. In some cases, dogs consume chocolate but show no symptoms; that’s because the dosage size of the toxins can dogs eat altoids affect an animal’s response to being poisoned, according to the Office for Science and Society at McGill University in Ontario, Canada. When dogs ingest chocolate, they metabolize the Methylzanthines it contains very slowly (so it stays in their bodies for longer and can build up to toxic levels quite easily).

The reason chocolate is toxic to dogs is because it contains theobromine, a xanthine compound related to caffeine that is toxic to dogs. The severity of chocolate’s negative impacts on a dog are determined by the levels of theobromine and caffeine in the chocolate product, how much of it the dog ate, and the dog’s weight and sensitivity to chemical stimulants. Chocolate that is dark and bitter is more toxic to dogs, as it contains a higher concentration of theobromine per ounce than milk chocolate (130 to 450 milligrams per ounce, compared with milk chocolate’s 45 to 58 mg per ounce). But why is chocolate – milk or dark – so toxic for dogs? Chocolate contains the chemicals theobromine and caffeine, and these two stimulants – which dogs can’t metabolize as easily as people can – accumulate in the animal’s body, where they can rev up a dog’s bodily functions and cause dangerous side effects, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. White chocolate, on the other hand, contains just 0.25 mg of theobromine per ounce, and therefore poses a much lower toxic threat to dogs, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

The dog may experience an increased heart rate and become restless, nervous and excited, much like a caffeine-sensitive person who has downed too many cups of coffee. Depending on the severity of the poisoning, medication or fluids may be required to counteract the poisoning, the AKC says. Initial symptoms of chocolate toxicity typically appear within 6 to 12 hours, and may include excessive drooling and panting, increased thirst and urination, and an upset stomach followed by vomiting and diarrhea, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Veterinarians typically treat chocolate toxicity by inducing vomiting or administering doses of activated charcoal, which purges toxins from the dog’s digestive system before they can be absorbed by the animal’s bloodstream, according to the AKC. What are symptoms of chocolate toxicity in dogs? The Veterinary Emergency Group provides tips for identifying symptoms of chocolate toxicity in dogs, and recommends what to do in an emergency. And because theobromine has a long half-life, which means it takes longer for the body to break it down, symptoms of chocolate poisoning can persist for days.