I once heard that chocolate is fatal to dogs. True?

Chocolate is Toxic to dogs. It contains Theobromine and Caffeine. When a dog ingests chocolate the only cure is a vet. This link will explain more:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_mu...

This link gives you a whole list of foods that are toxic and should never feed to your dog and what would happen if you do feed your dog these foods:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&a...

If your dog ingested Chocolate, you need to get him to a vet or at least call one for further advice.

Chocolate is made from the fruit (beans) of the cacao tree. Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is a toxic compound in chocolate. Caffeine is also present in chocolate and a toxic component, but in much smaller amounts than Theobromine. Both Theobromine and Caffeine are members of a drug class called Methylxanines.

Theobromine and caffeine effects on the body:

Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant

Cardiovascular stimulant

Increase blood pressure (mild)

Nausea and vomiting

Unsweetened (baker's) chocolate contains 8-10 times the amount of Theobromine as milk chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate falls roughly in between the two for Theobromine content. White chocolate contains Theobromine, but in such small amounts that Theobromine poisoning is unlikely. Caffeine is present in chocolate, but less than Theobromine.

Quick Guide for Theobromine levels in different types of chocolate:

From The Merck Veterinary Manual, here are approximate Theobromine levels of different types of chocolate:

Dry cocoa powder = 800 mg/oz

Unsweetened (Baker's) chocolate = 450 mg/oz

Cocoa bean mulch = 255 mg/oz

semisweet chocolate and sweet dark chocolate is = 150-160 mg/oz

Milk chocolate = 44-64 mg Theobromine per oz chocolate

White chocolate contains an insignificant source of methylxanthines.

In lower doses chocolate will probably cause some digestive upset such as diarrhea and maybe even vomiting. This could even occur a day or so later. As toxic doses are approached more severe signs will occur. These can be excitement, restlessness, irritability, increased heart rate, inreased urination, tremors, leading to seizures, coma and even death.

Do NOT wait to see if your pet will be okay. Call your veterinarian for recommendations. Most will recommend you bring the pet in so vomiting can be made to happen and supportive care can be given as well as monitoting of the pet for signs of toxicity and symptomatic treatment if needed.

Yes chocolate can kill your dog. My dog got into chocolate and got real sick. The remedy i use is i got from my vet. You give the dog a teaspoon every ten minutes until they dry heave. After they dry heave give them a teaspoon of liquid pepto bismol. You should call your vet though and ask them the correct dose for the weight of your dog. It sounds mean i know but if you love your dog it is the beat thing you can do for them.

However keep in mind if it was only a little bit of chocolate you dont need to do this depending on the size of your dog.

The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous. However, chocolate is not dangerous to all dogs...vets treat it like an allergy but it's better to be safe than sorry. My parents used to have a dog that ate hersheys bars and drank coke, and she lived to be 15 years old with zero health problems.

It can be based on how dark the chocolate is and the weight of the dog...but do you really want to risk it.

the problem with chocolate is the caffiene. dogs hearts already beat fast and the caffiene will hype up the dog and (in serious quantites) can cause a heart attack. just accedentally dropping a chocolate chip and the dog getting it before you can shouldnt cause one but dont half a candy bar with him/her because they're begging. don't really know of a cure other than watch the dog if you think he has eaten some.

yes. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. So are macademia nuts. Chocolate can kill dogs.

Well I have a lap dog who ate a while bag of m and ms and she is ten now.... But I still wouldn't recommend it!

my cusins dog ate almost a whole chocolate cake....she was fine,, my dog ate a little chocolate chunk of candy he was fine... i think its just when they have an over exessive amount of it.. although i wouldnt give her a big chocolate cake,

Yes it is but you can give them just a little bit once and a while as long as they don't have to much

if i remember correctly it takes five ounces of bakers sweet chocolate to kill a medium size dog. thats alot of chocolate. small amounts wont hurt them. grapes are also suppose to be bad for em but mine at em till he died at 15when my neighbor poisioned him