When we were kids, we loved to slip Fido our broccoli under the table. Do not worry, I won't tell your parents. ( But something tells me they already know.) But BE CAREFUL!!! Giving your dog human food is not always a bad thing but letting them get into chocolate can be very dangerous and even deadly.
Chocolate contains Theobromine, a stimulant that occurs naturally in cocoa beans. It affects the central nervous system and heart as well as increased urination. They cannot metabolize chocolate. Although it depends on the type of chocolate, the size of your dog, and the amount ingested; it is good to know the signs and symptoms that your pup has been digging into the chocolate drawer.
Dogs get upset tummies too. But there may be more indications.
*Unusual nervousness or trembling
*Vomiting and/ or diarrhea
*Excessive thirst
*Muscle spasms
*Seizures
*Coma
Do not give your dog even the smallest piece of chocolate. Like humans, it only leaves us wanting more. Keep all chocolate out of your pets way. We all love our pets, and we want to continue to love them.
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To add (to the extent wikipedia contents can be considered accurate):
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine
Excerpt:
Animals that metabolize theobromine more slowly, such as dogs, can succumb to theobromine poisoning from as little as 50 grams of chocolate for a smaller dog and 400 grams for an average-sized dog. The same risk is reported for cats as well, although cats are less likely to ingest sweet food, having no sweet taste receptors.[43] Birds, again due to their smaller size and more rapid metabolism, are even more susceptible to its toxic effects. Complications include digestive issues, dehydration, excitability, and a slow heart rate. Later stages of theobromine poisoning include epileptic-like seizures and death. If caught early on, theobromine poisoning is treatable.[44] Although not usual, the effects of theobromine poisoning, as stated, can become fatal.