Lots
of great information about is it dangerous for dogs to eat chocolate.
While a small amount of chocolate
may not do much damage, you don’t want your dog to get a taste for it. Should
they get chocolate on a regular basis or in large quantities it will create
serious health problems for them. Chocolate has been identified as causing
kidney problems and heart problems in dogs of all ages and all breeds. It can
also create problems within the central nervous system for them.
Most people love the taste of
chocolate as a treat, so they also give some of it to their dog as a treat.
However, this isn’t good for your dog at all so find a better treat to give
them. Keep that chocolate to yourself! The reason that it is dangerous for dogs
has to do with the fact that it contains Theobromine. It comes from the cocoa
bean but dogs have a hard time metabolizing it.
While a small amount of chocolate
may not do much damage, you don’t want your dog to get a taste for it. Should
they get chocolate on a regular basis or in large quantities it will create
serious health problems for them. Chocolate has been identified as causing
kidney problems and heart problems in dogs of all ages and all breeds. It can
also create problems within the central nervous system for them.
The smaller size that a dog is the
more serious having some chocolate is for their health. For example a puppy or
a very small breed of dog that is given a piece of it will suffer more adverse
health affects than a larger breed of dog due to the overall weight. Many
experts say that dog owners should put chocolate into the same category for
their dog as poisons and toxins.
Some dogs have even died from eating
only a small amount of chocolate. The reason for this is that they actually
have an allergic reaction to some ingredient in it. The sadness of an owner
that gave this food to their dog and then lost it as a result is unbelievable.
Since you never know how your dog will react to the introduction of such a
product it is best to never do so.
Make sure you don’t leave chocolate
out where your dog may be able to get to it on their own. This item certainly
does smell good to them so they will go after it. They will consume it too and
often very fast. Make sure any such food items in your home and even in the car
are out of their reach.
You may enjoy your chocolate but it
is certainly not something to share with your dog. Carry other types of treats
for your dog so that they can have something and you don’t have to feel guilty
when you have your snack. You may feel bad for not sharing but it isn’t worth
compromising the health of your dog to do so.
If you have shared chocolate with
your dog in the past, don’t beat yourself up for it. You have the right
information in your possession now to make better choices for the future. It
may be a good idea though to schedule a check up with your vet. Let them know
you have given your dog chocolate in the past and you have concerns about how
it may have affected their health.