by Gary Lewis

Created on: January 15, 2010   Last Updated: January 16, 2010

There are some dogs in America that actually get treated better than some family members. These pets are routinely invited for their own plate of the carnivore of the day special,  have their own little doggy pool in the backyard,  tons of toys and a place at the foot of their owners bed OR between the owners ON the bed.

Everything that the humans in the family eat, ol' Fido gets a chunk of because they can roll those big eyes and even moisten them up just a little for wrapping their master or mistress around their paw. Whining or just a hint of whimper will get them just about anything.

Then there are those times when you are making treats for the kids or having friends over for an evening of cards and those scrumptious fudge brownies from a recipe your great aunt Wilma had finally divulged to you. Chocolate can end up dropped into places humans would not even think of to look. Well, the family dog might well have been named Hoover instead of King, Prince, Missy or Harold because that dog will suck up any food of any type dropped to his or her level.

When it comes to chocolate though, please refrain from giving it to your favorite pet. Work very diligently to keep it from getting down to their level. Deadly, deadly poison. For a human, chocolate is one of the worlds greatest pleasures but it contains chemicals that will react very harmful to dogs, cats, parrots, horses and others.

Theobromine is an alkaloid; (a compound containing nitrogen), this chemical attacks the nervous system, kidneys and muscles. Also in chocolate is caffeine which along with Theobromine cause symptoms including hyperactivity, excessive panting, increased levels of urination, seizures and possible death.

If you drop chocolate candy or someone gives the big mooch a handful or however you find out that your dog has eaten some, don't wait for symptoms to show up because it could take hours for the dogs system to metabolize the chemicals and by the time symptoms do show up, it might be too late. If you can not induce vomiting to bring it up get the animal to the vet. If the dog goes comatose then the vet has ways to pump the stomach and can treat the tremors or seizures that could result.  In any case, prevention is always the best method.

Different kinds of chocolate have various levels of toxicity, White Chocolate the least, (still doesn't mean giving in to the little beggar.), on up to baking chocolate where just 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight. Two ounces for a twenty pound dog can be toxic. Even if you dog doesn't eat enough to get seriously ill,  you do not want the animal throwing up or having diarrhea all over the house.

The same chocolate that can be classified as slightly heavenly for humans, will indeed be a serious health risk for your four legged friend.  Keep it out of reach, out of sight. Do everything you can to treat your dogs right,  they can  be with you for a long healthy life.

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