Chocolate & pets
Chocolate & pets
Having all that leftover Valentine's Day chocolate in your home poses a risk not only to your waistline but also to your pets. That's because most dogs, and some cats, will eagerly eat candy or baked goods left within reach. Chocolate is poisonous to both dogs and cats that eat enough of it because of two chemicals it contains: theobromine and caffeine.
Theobromine chemical
Theobromine is an alkaloid found in the cacao plant
The severity of chocolate poisoning will depend upon two things: the amount consumed relative to the pet's weight, and the kind of chocolate in the candy or baked goods. Different forms of chocolate have varying amounts of the chemicals.
Types of chocolate
Semisweet and dark sweetened chocolates have higher amounts of the chemicals; milk chocolate and white chocolate have the least.
Which types of chocolate contain the highest amounts?
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, the nation's 57 poison centers fielded thousands of calls about dogs and cats in 2010, including calls about exposures to chocolate.
The following steps can help pet owners keep their pets safe from chocolate poisoning:
Keep all forms of chocolate securely stored and completely out of reach
Don't let your pet lick the mixing bowl or spoon if the recipe includes cocoa powder or other baking chocolates
