[cowboy147]

I was wandering if someone can shed a little light on the whole chocolate is deadly to dogs thing. This is obviously not true. Some years back I had a shepard/collie mix and she had snuck her way into a 5 pound bag of chocolate chips and devoured the whole bag pretty much. The only problem she had was the runs for a couple of days. So they say that chocolate is toxic to dogs is this the only problem with it or is there any other problems that arise that people have experienced.

[pinsnpugs]

It really depends on the strength of the chocolate. There is a certain ingredient in real chocolate that is poisonous (name is slipping my mind at this moment)
Many of the chocolate we have in the home has only small amounts in it is milk chocolate, or even 'chocolate flavored' so the dogs experience at most vomiting, diarrhea.

The biggest danger is the dark chocolates..and BAKING chocolate, those have high levels in them as they are purer and not artificially flavored.

[cowboy147]

mmk that would explain it then, the only chocolates my dogs have gotten into would be milk chocolate.

[Yogi]

This site may help with foods not to give dogs....
What not to feed your dog - dangerous foods in your house

[Yogi]

Here is another that is more definitive when it comes to the types of chocolate and the amount at which if ingested based on size and weight of dog can be toxic.
The Chocolate Chart Interactive - National Geographic Magazine

[Scrubjay]

A while back, my friend left her little Pomeranian in the car, with a very large unopened package of M&Ms. The little dag got into the M&M's and ate every last one, before she returned. Nothing happened to him.

Perhaps, dogs are like people and some are more susceptible to things then others. Like me, I get sick every time I eat Oreos. I wish I didn't cause I love them.

[CorkyMax]

That little dog was darn lucky. I can't believe it didn't die!! And I sure wouldn't want to give my dog any chocolate! There is definitely an ingredient in it that is not good for the dog to have at all! Why would anyone want to feed this knowing that!!! (I am not referring to the dog above) That was an accident---but people should be aware of what could happen and not leave chocolate around where a dog could get a hold of it. If the dog can get a hold of it---It will eat it---Dogs have a sweet tooth just like us!!

[Lunareclipse]

My dogs don't like sweet things. Their fav is Dinty Moore beef stew and spaghetti. If we are having either one of those, we do not leave our plates unattended.

[pinsnpugs]

I didnt see where anyone gave chocolate on purpose here.
Both instances were accidents the way I understood the posts.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by pinsnpugs

I didnt see where anyone gave chocolate on purpose here.
Both instances were accidents the way I understood the posts.

I didn't say anyone gave it on purpose!!--And I did say it was an accident. I just wanted to reinforce that chocolate (any chocolate) is not a good idea at all. The way some of these posts were reading I was afraid if the dog was begging for it that the person would relent and give it a piece because they figured a little wouldn't bother them that much!! A very tiny dog may have a bigger problem because of the weight factor. Anyway who needs a dog having the diarrhea or vomiting---It is still being sick and how do you know it isn't doing a little harm to the kidneys or liver!

[cowboy147]

I understood what was being said. Sometimes someone can speak in general and it be taken almost as a accusation but it's not. Now I know that IF a dog were to ge into chocolate just make sure that its not dark or baking, they should get none but milk is better than the others. A lil OT here but we know chocolate is bad, what about TUMS. We dont give buddy any but he will sneak into my moms purse or steal them off the bedside table. What ill effects would tums have on dogs if any?

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by cowboy147

I understood what was being said. Sometimes someone can speak in general and it be taken almost as a accusation but it's not. Now I know that IF a dog were to ge into chocolate just make sure that its not dark or baking, they should get none but milk is better than the others. A lil OT here but we know chocolate is bad, what about TUMS. We dont give buddy any but he will sneak into my moms purse or steal them off the bedside table. What ill effects would tums have on dogs if any?

Found this on the web about Tums:

Actually dogs CAN take tums, many vets will recommend the unflavored ones for issues related to upset stomachs. If in doubt call your vet, they know your animal, and can recommend the correct treatment.


Generic and Brand Names
Aluminum Hydroxide: AlternaGEL, Amphojel
Aluminum Magnesium Hydroxide: Maalox
Calcium Acetate: Phos-Ex, PhosLo
Magnesium Hydroxide: Milk of Magnesia
Calcium Carbonate: Tums


Type of Drug
Antacid

Form and Storage
Powders, suspensions, and capsules
Store at room temperature unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.

Indications for Use
Prevention and treatment of stomach ulcers and esophageal reflux (heartburn), reduction of hyperphosphatemia (increased amount of phosphorus in the blood) in patients with kidney failure.

General Information
FDA approved for use in large animals in veterinary medicine. It is an accepted practice to use these medications in small animal medicine. Available over the counter, but should always be used under the direction of a veterinarian. Because of the newer, easier to dose medications available such as cimetidine, aluminum magnesium hydroxide is not used as frequently for stomach ulcers and esophageal reflux. It is still used to reduce phosphorous levels in the blood in patients with kidney failure. Before use, consult with your veterinarian and carefully check over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for ingredients that may be deadly to pets.

Usual Dose and Administration
As an antacid (Milk of Magnesia) in dogs: 5-30 ml by mouth every 12-24 hours. As an antacid (Milk of Magnesia) in cats: 5-15 ml by mouth every 12-24 hours.

NOTE: These doses are per pet NOT per pound.

Duration of treatment depends on reason for treatment and response to treatment. Pets generally do not like the taste making it difficult to get the pet to take the products. Contact your veterinarian for dosages to reduce blood phosphorus levels due to kidney failure.

Side Effects
Depending upon the product, may see lack of appetite, constipation, or diarrhea. May see electrolyte imbalances in some patients due to the levels of magnesium, aluminum, sodium, and potassium in the products.

Contraindications/Warnings
Do not use magnesium containing products in animals with kidney failure.

Use with caution in patients who need restricted amounts of sodium or potassium in their diets.

Use aluminum containing products with caution in patients with an obstruction in the stomach emptying disorders or obstruction.

Use calcium or aluminum containing products with caution in patients with kidney disease.

Do not use in pregnant or nursing animals.

Long-term use can damage the kidneys; aluminum-containing products can cause muscle weakness and thinning of the bones.

Drug or Food Interactions
Due to changes in the acidity of the stomach, emptying time of the stomach, or by chelation of the drugs, all oral medications may be affected. If must give multiple medications, separate dosages by at least 2 hours.

Tetracycline antibiotics may not be absorbed if given with antacids.

Antacids may decrease the absorption or effects of chlordiazepoxide, captopril, chloroquine, cimetidine, corticosteroids, digoxin, iron salts, indomethicin, isoniazid, ketoconazole, nitrofurantoin, pancreatic enzymes, penicillamine, phenothiazines, phenytoin, ranitidine, and valproic acid.

Antacids may increase the absorption or effects of aspirin, dicumarol, flecainide, quinidine, and sympathomimetics like ephedrine.

Do not use calcium containing products in patients using digoxin/digitalis as abnormal heart rhythms may result.

If using to decrease high blood phosphorus levels, give with meals.

Overdose/Toxicity
May see electrolyte imbalances which can cause weakness and heart arrhythmias. Long-term use of aluminum-containing products can cause muscle weakness, thinning of the bones, and aluminum toxicity. Long term use of other products can damage the kidneys.




Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.

[pinsnpugs]

My post was just speaking in general...hope it did not read that I approved of the milk chocolate or chocolate flavored items!

Only trying to provide info for those who's dog do accidentally ingest it, that the panic factor is higher for those specific types of chocolate.
At any rate, no chocolate is good, and if they do consume a large amount and do not vomit immediately, inducing vomiting is a good idea to get it out of the stomache to avoid as much of it being absorbed as possible.

[rayter]

As far as I know, it's not the chocolate in general that's bad for dogs, it's the theobromine in the chocolate. Milk chocolate would kill a dog in high quantities about 20 ounces of chocolate for a 20 lb dog. However, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine in the chocolate per ounce.