Why Dogs & Cats Cannot Eat Chocolate

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It's sweet and delicious and has made us feel better when we're down-in-the-dumps...mmmm chocolate. However, when it comes to our canine companions, these goodies are not-so-good. In fact, chocolate can be toxic. Read on to find out why dogs or cats cannot eat chocolate.

It's All About the Theobromine

Many pet parents may know that chocolate is not good for their canine companions, but what many of them don't know is the reason behind the danger. Although, some folks may believe that it's the caffeine in this delicious treat that is the main toxin. It’s really not.

It is, in fact, a compound known as theobromine. This is a plant alkaloid that dogs and cats lack the enzyme to properly break down. For this reason, the theobromine can build up very quickly in your dog's or cat’s system. When chocolate poisoning occurs in your pet it can over stimulate the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. This can lead to any or all of these potentially dangerous symptoms;

●     Vomiting

●     Increase in blood pressure

●     Dehydration

●     Abdominal pain

●     Seizures

●     And, yes, even death

Not All Chocolate is Created Equally

When it comes to chocolate they are not all theobromine-equivalent. The general rule is the darker the chocolate, the more of this alkaloid it will contain. Here's a quick view of the chocolate and theobromine breakdown;

1.    White Chocolate: 0.25 mg/oz

2.    Milk Chocolate: 44 - 60 mg/oz

3.    Dark Semisweet: 135/oz

4.    Unsweetened Baker's Chocolate: 390 - 450 mg/oz

5.    Dry Cocoa Powder: 400 - 737 mg/oz

6.    Cocoa Beans: 300 - 1500 mg/oz

7.    Cocoa Bean Mulch: 56 - 900 mg/oz

So what does this all mean?  Let's put it into perspective. For a 15 pound dog, it could consume one pound of milk chocolate before the theobromine reaches toxic levels; however, that same dog could eat only one ounce of cocoa powder to reach the toxicity point.

The Bottom Line of Chocolate and Dogs

The bottom line is to avoid giving your dog any kind of chocolate. Even if the levels are lower, some dogs can react to white chocolate just as severely as another dog eating baker's chocolate.

If you suspect your dog has gotten into chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately. Depending on the amount eaten and size of your pooch, you may have to induce vomiting right away or bring him into the vet's office for a more aggressive treatment.