Bushra Griffith
Dogs are often regarded as members of the family, and just like any other family member, their health and well-being are important. While it can be tempting to treat your furry friend to a tasty snack, it's crucial to be aware of the potential dangers that some human foods pose to dogs. Two common treats that dog owners should be cautious about are cheese and chocolate. Cheese, while not toxic, can cause digestive issues and weight gain in dogs, leading to serious health problems. On the other hand, chocolate is toxic to dogs due to the presence of theobromine and caffeine, which can lead to chocolate toxicity and severe health complications, or even death. Understanding the risks associated with feeding your dog cheese and chocolate is essential for their health and wellbeing.
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What You'll Learn
- Chocolate toxicity in dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, seizures, coma, and death
- Darker and more bitter chocolates are more toxic to dogs
- Cheese can cause weight gain and lead to obesity in dogs
- Dogs can be lactose intolerant, causing flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting
- Some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onion
Chocolate toxicity in dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, seizures, coma, and death
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and chocolate ingestion is one of the most common toxicities in dogs. The two toxic components in chocolate are caffeine and theobromine, which cause stimulation of the central nervous system and heart. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the risk to dogs. For instance, one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of a dog's body weight can be deadly, whereas for unsweetened baking chocolate, as little as 0.1 ounces per pound of a dog's body weight may be lethal. Thus, even small amounts of chocolate ingestion should be treated as an emergency.
The clinical signs of chocolate toxicity may appear within 2 to 12 hours of ingestion and can last 12 to 36 hours, sometimes longer in severe cases. The signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, and seizures. In some cases, chocolate toxicity can even lead to a coma and death. The risk of toxicity depends on the dog's size, weight, and the amount and type of chocolate consumed.
If your dog has ingested chocolate, it is important to monitor them closely for signs of toxicity and seek veterinary advice. Treatment for chocolate toxicity involves decontamination with medication to induce vomiting, even if it has been a few hours after ingestion, as chocolate tends to absorb slowly. Most patients require hospitalization and the outcome depends on prompt treatment.
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Darker and more bitter chocolates are more toxic to dogs
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and ingestion can cause a serious medical emergency. The amount of chocolate that can cause toxicity depends on the dog's weight and the type of chocolate consumed, with darker and more bitter chocolates being the most harmful. The potential for toxicity is highest in cocoa powder, followed by unsweetened baking chocolate, semisweet and sweet dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and cocoa bean hulls. For example, one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of a dog's body weight can be deadly, whereas for unsweetened baking chocolate, even as little as 0.1 ounces per pound of body weight may be lethal. Thus, even small amounts of darker chocolate, especially for smaller dogs, should be treated as an emergency.
The toxic components in chocolate for dogs are caffeine and theobromine, which predominantly cause stimulation of the central nervous system and heart. Theobromine is a member of the methylxanthines family of chemicals, which are dangerous to dogs because of how slowly they are processed. Dogs take 17.5 hours to eliminate half of an ingested dose of theobromine, compared to just 4.5 hours for caffeine. Theobromine is also known to cross the placenta and affect puppies, so pregnant dogs are at particular risk. Dogs with a particular variant in their CYP1A2 gene also lack the ability to properly metabolize theobromine, which could explain why some dogs get sick after eating very little chocolate.
If your dog has ingested chocolate, it is important to monitor them for signs of toxicity, which may occur within 2-12 hours after ingestion and can last 12-36 hours, sometimes longer in severe cases. Signs of chocolate toxicity include a fast heart rate, vomiting, or tremors, and in more severe cases, seizures. If your dog has ingested chocolate, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately. Treatment for chocolate toxicity involves decontamination with medication to induce vomiting, even if it has been a few hours after ingestion, as chocolate tends to absorb slowly.
Cheese and Dogs: What You Need to Know
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Cheese can cause weight gain and lead to obesity in dogs
While cheese is not toxic to dogs like chocolate is, it can still be harmful to their health. Cheese is high in fat, and regularly feeding your dog cheese can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Even more concerning is that cheese could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs.
Cheese is often used as a training tool, especially for puppies, as most dogs love it and it can be a good way to conceal pills for dogs that require medication. However, it is probably best fed in moderation. Even for dogs that can tolerate cheese, some varieties may be problematic. Some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onions.
In addition, not all dogs digest cheese well. While cheese contains little lactose compared to whole milk, dogs with severe lactose intolerance may have adverse reactions to cheese, even in small quantities. It is important to observe your dog closely for signs of intestinal upset after feeding them cheese for the first time and consult your veterinarian with any questions.
To reduce the risk of obesity and other health issues, it is recommended to feed your dog low-fat cheeses, such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese. Cottage cheese, in particular, is lower in fat, sodium, and lactose, which can help reduce the likelihood of intestinal upset.
In summary, while cheese can be a tasty treat for dogs, it should be fed in moderation due to its high-fat content, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Some varieties of cheese may also contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, and it may not be suitable for dogs with lactose intolerance. To keep your dog healthy, it is best to offer low-fat cheese varieties in small amounts and ensure they get plenty of exercise to prevent weight gain.
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Dogs can be lactose intolerant, causing flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting
Dogs can be lactose intolerant, and cheese is a dairy product. Lactose intolerance in dogs can cause flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting. While cheese can be a great training tool, especially for puppies, it is probably best fed in moderation. Cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your dog regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Even more problematic, it could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs.
Some dogs may be able to tolerate cheese, but many dogs can be intolerant. Even in small quantities, dogs with severe lactose intolerance may have adverse reactions to cheese. Observe your dog closely for signs of intestinal upset after feeding cheese for the first time and consult your veterinarian with any questions. If you're going to feed your dog cheese, it's better to feed them low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese.
Chocolate, on the other hand, contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the higher the risk to dogs. Theobromine and caffeine can speed up a dog's heart rate and stimulate their nervous system. The slower processing of these chemicals in dogs, especially theobromine, is part of what makes them dangerous. Dogs take 17.5 hours to eliminate half of the ingested dose of theobromine.
The amount of chocolate that can cause toxicity depends on the size of the dog, the type of chocolate, and the dog's weight. A very concerning dose of chocolate is approximately one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight. Older dogs and dogs with heart conditions are more at risk of sudden death from chocolate poisoning. If your dog accidentally ingests chocolate, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.
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Some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onion
Cheese and chocolate are considered bad for dogs due to the potential health risks associated with their consumption. While cheese can be a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamins for dogs, some cheeses contain herbs or other ingredients that can be toxic to dogs. Garlic and onion are common ingredients in certain cheeses, and these can be harmful to dogs.
Garlic and onion belong to the allium family, which also includes chives, leeks, and shallots. These plants contain compounds that can damage dogs' red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia. The symptoms of this condition include weakness, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, hemolytic anemia can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important for dog owners to check the ingredients of any cheese before feeding it to their pets, and to opt for varieties that do not contain potentially harmful herbs or additives.
Additionally, some dogs may be intolerant to cheese due to its high-fat content or lactose levels. While most dogs can digest small amounts of lactose, those with severe lactose intolerance may experience intestinal upset even from small quantities of cheese. Feeding large amounts of cheese to dogs can contribute to excessive weight gain and obesity. Furthermore, the high-fat content can lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal condition in dogs.
Chocolate, on the other hand, contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. These substances can cause a range of symptoms, including an increased heart rate, stimulation of the nervous system, dehydration, gastrointestinal distress, and even pancreatitis. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the risk of toxicity. Even small amounts of chocolate, especially in smaller dogs, can be deadly. Therefore, it is crucial for dog owners to keep chocolate products out of their dogs' reach and to seek immediate veterinary assistance if their dog consumes chocolate.
The toxicity of chocolate in dogs depends on several factors, including the type and amount of chocolate consumed, the weight of the dog, and the time elapsed since ingestion. Symptoms of chocolate toxicity may occur within 2 to 12 hours and can last for 12 to 36 hours or longer in severe cases. Treatment options include decontamination with medication to induce vomiting, even if a few hours have passed since ingestion. Most cases of chocolate toxicity in dogs require hospitalization, and the outcome depends on prompt initiation of treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese is not toxic and is completely fine for most dogs. However, it is high in fat and sodium, and can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Some dogs can also be lactose intolerant, which can cause flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Therefore, it is best to feed your dog low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese, and only in moderation.
Yes, chocolate is toxic to dogs and can lead to chocolate toxicity. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the risk to dogs. The potential for toxicity is highest in cocoa powder, followed by unsweetened (baker's) chocolate, semisweet and sweet dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and cocoa bean hulls. The amount of theobromine and caffeine in a chocolate product varies, and these chemicals cause stimulation of the central nervous system and heart. They can cause an increased heart rate, dehydration, hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, seizures, coma, and even death.
If your dog eats chocolate, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. They may recommend blood work or additional testing depending on their clinical signs. Treatment for chocolate toxicity may involve decontamination with medication to induce vomiting, even if it has been a few hours after ingestion, as chocolate tends to absorb slowly. Most patients require hospitalization.
The toxicity of chocolate to dogs depends on the concentration of the chocolate and the weight of the dog. A large dog may be fine eating a 2-pound bag of candy with milk chocolate, while a 15-pound dog eating 4 ounces of high-quality 90% cacao dark chocolate would be in danger. Generally, the smaller the dog, the more harmful even small amounts of chocolate can be. For example, one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of a dog's body weight can be deadly.
