Dogs eat the darndest things. Garbage, shoes, homework, dirty diapers ? things that would put you and I in the hospital. And yet, despite the seemingly ironclad canine digestive system, one of our favorite aphrodisiacs and antioxidants can be deadly to a dog. If you are someone who pays even the slightest attention to the health and well-being of your companion animals you probably already know that dogs cannot eat chocolate. But have you ever wondered why chocolate can be so dangerous for dogs when it's so heavenly for us?
The answer is simple and strictly chemical. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is a naturally-occurring molecule found in the cocoa beans, coffee, tea, and cola and is related to caffeine. In the medical field it has been used as a drug to treat high blood pressure because of its ability to dilate blood vessels. Because of its diuretic effect, it is also sometimes used in cases where cardiac failure has resulted in an accumulation of body fluid. What makes it poisonous for dogs and not humans is the fact that dogs are unable to metabolize the chemical effectively. If they are fed chocolate, the theobromine will remain in their bloodstream for up to 20 hours. Theobromine can be dangerous to cats as well but little is ever mentioned about the toxicity most likely because cats have eating habits that are different from dogs and they are less likely to inhale large quantities of chocolate.
Symptoms of theobromine toxicity are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, and increased urination. These can progress to cardiac arrhythmias, epileptic seizures, internal bleeding, heart attacks, and eventually death.
Different types of chocolate as well as different levels of ?quality? will contain different amounts of theobromine. In general, theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolate or higher-quality chocolate and lower in milk chocolate and lower quality chocolate. Simply stated, depending on the size, overall health, and age of your dog, different kinds of chocolate can have different negative affects. Generally, it takes a large amount of theobromine to cause a toxic reaction. 100-150 mg of theobromine per kg of body weight.
Here is a breakdown of the different types of chocolate and their respective danger to your dog:
? White chocolate: It would take 250 lbs. of white chocolate to cause signs of poisoning in a 20 lb. dog, 125 lbs. for a 10 lb. dog.
? Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per lb. of body weight. Wow! 20 times more toxic than white chocolate! Who knew? Approximately one lb. of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20 lb. dog; one-half lb. for a 10 lb. dog. The average chocolate bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 lb. dog. Semi-sweet chocolate has a similar toxic level.
? Sweet cocoa: 0.3 ounces per lb. of body weight. One-third of a lb. of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20 lb. dog; 1/6 lb. for a 10 lb. dog.
? Baking chocolate: 0.1 ounce per lb. body weight. Two one-ounce squares of bakers chocolate is toxic to a 20 lb. dog; one ounce for a 10 lb. dog.
It's important to note that carob, an ingredient in our natural dog food mixes is not the same as chocolate. It is used as a chocolate substitute for humans ? but we use it because it is a healthy and nutritious food that's great for dogs and tasty too.
If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate contact your vet immediately. They can help you determine the proper treatment for your pet. If you can get your dog to the vet within 2 hours from when the chocolate was ingested, vomiting can be induced to remove the poison.
Bottom line is enjoy the Holidays, but keep the chocolate out of paw's reach.
So many people are health-conscious, so many people are obese, so many people eat terrible food - greasy, fatty, over-processed, and so many people don't get enough exercise. Why even think about eating chocolate for dessert? Because there's nothing like the "mouth-feel" of chocolate; because it's the additives, not the chocolate itself, that are fattening or that can cause allergic reactions; and because, after a long hard day of "being good", eating something that "feels" decadent can be very very satisfying.
How wonderful then if what feels decadent is actually good for you! We're talking dark chocolate here, at least 70% cocoa. This delectable treat contains theobromine - a known mood elevator; and antioxidant flavonoids - boost good HDL cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. Mmm chocolate - maybe a chocolate fountain is the real Fountain of Youth?
Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to improve circulation and make blood vessels more flexible, helping to prevent hardening of the arteries. The Kuna Indians of the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama drink multiple cups of cocoa every day and have little incidence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Cocoa is also rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and manganese. Indeed, chocolate is thought to be one of the largest single contributors of copper to the diet in the United States.
For all-round health, eat like the French do. I don't mean eat French foods necessarily, although that can be nice, but eat AS the French do; make a meal an event in itself. Turn off the tv and computer, don't even read while you eat. Savor and chew each bite.
Eating consciously like this will make you more in tune with your appetite. You won't overeat, and you'll enjoy your food so much more. Take your time - make fast food a thing of the past.
End your meal with the perfect dessert - a bit of dark chocolate. Break off a small piece and place it in your mouth. Let it melt slowly, enjoying the texture and savoring the taste. Then another bite.
Fine dark chocolates have subtle flavors reminiscent of fruits, nuts, coffee, herbs, and much more. Just as wine connoisseurs clean their palate before tasting wines, you can drink a little warm water to clear your tastebuds before eating chocolate. Bitter flavors will make the chocolate taste sweeter, and sweet tastes will make you insensitive to the sweetness of the chocolate, so start with a "neutral palate".
Chewing and swallowing chocolate will not allow you to taste all the flavors so just allow chocolate to melt in your mouth.
You can substitute a chocolate candy made with the purest of ingredients. Additional cream, sugar, etc. is what adds the calories, if that concerns you, eat less. Eat the best chocolate available - this isn't necessarily the most expensive chocolate. Try many varieties and choose the one most delicious to YOU!
Always, eat what you enjoy, and enjoy what you eat. And for me, this is chocolate!
Both Ward Johnson & Kathryn Beach are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ward Johnson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets. Ward Johnson owns Sojourner Farms, a leading provider of and