Pet Health-A Series: Don't 'trick your dog' with toxic holiday treats

October 27, 4:22 PMSan Jose Dogs ExaminerRob "Dawg" Hugger

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Pet Health-A Series: Candy can be toxic to dogs

We’ve all heard the warning about chocolate killing dogs, but how much do you really know about it? And, are you aware that other candies, even so-called sugarless candies and chewing gums other than chocolate ones can be toxic to dogs (and cats) as well?

Read on.

The Holidays are upon us, and along with all the upcoming festivities will be an abundance of candies, cakes, - chocolates. For Halloween, candy will be everywhere! It seems to have become a holiday sponsored by the Mars and Hershey Corporations. You won’t be able to avoid the onslaught of handout goodies, both on Halloween night and all the ‘left-overs’ your work partners will be trotting into the office to ‘share’ (get rid of).

Most, if not all of these ‘treats’ are anything but that to our teeth, waistlines and to our beloved pets. Keep all sugary as well as ‘sugarfree' treats well away from pets (and the searching hands of your kids). Store what you do have in a closed, high location (like behind the shut door of the cabinet above your refrigerator?). If they (kids and pets) can’t get to them, you’ve won half the battle, right? Well, pets, like our children, always seem to manage to find a way around our safeguards, so what if they manage to get a hold of some anyway? How concerned should you be?

Very. And knowledge is your very best safeguard.

First: Let's talk chocolate: While a lot of factors play a role in your dog’s toxic reaction to chocolate, it is your particular dog’s sensitivity to theobromine* (a caffeine-like compound)) that is the most worrisome. In general, 46 mg of theobromine per animal pound weight is considered a dangerous level. Other contributing factors include the amount (volume) of chocolate consumed, your dog’s size and the type of chocolate eaten.

Types of Chocolate:
• Milk Chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz. (704 mg per pound)
• Semisweet Chocolate contain 150 mg per oz. (2400 mg per pound)
• Baking Chocolate contains 390 mg per oz (a whopping 6240 mg per pound)

(These chemical threat amounts provided by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, part of the Animal Health Literacy Campaign.)

That’s all fine and good for a chemist, but how do I translate that into what I know?
Okay, try this: Fifi just ate  your 16 oz bag of chocolate drops. How do you know if Fifi is in danger? Let’s see: To reach the 46 mg per pound danger level, she’d have to eat only 1 ounce of milk chocolate   ( the least toxic variety of chocolate) for each pound of Fifi's body weight. So, If Fifi weighs in at 15 lbs, she's in trouble. If 15 pound Fifi just  are the same amount of dark chocolate, you need to call your vet - right now!

But don’t worry about the math, if you think Fifi’s eaten chocolate she may let you know she’s in danger. Watch for these signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity (just like a kid after a Mars bar)
• Increased Urination
• Muscle spasms or in extreme cases,
• Seizures

All of these symptoms may range from slight to severe depending on the amount eaten and your particular pet’s sensitivity to theobromine*.

Whenever you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate ( or other sugary treats like caramels or taffy or sugarless candies or gum), call your veterinarian immediately.

*Why is chocolate so dangerous to dogs? Here are some eye-drooping facts about chocolates and pets (Stay awake – this is good for you to know).Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine, similar to caffeine, and another substance called theophylline (Theophylline is used as an asthma treatment drug). Ingested theobromine at certain levels becomes toxic to dogs and can lead to death. Half the dogs that consume 114-to-228 mg per animal pound weight or more will die. The minimum toxic dose of theobromine for dogs falls in the 46-to-68-mg/per pound range. > Read more about theobromine.

Non-chocolate, sugar and even ‘sugarless’ candies and chewing gun can be deadly. At minimum, sugary treats can cause digestive upset and diarrhea. ANY ‘Sugarless’ candy or chewing gum containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol is dangerous to animals! Only a few pieces of sugarless chewing gum can cause an immediate upsurge of insulin in dogs causing eventual liver damage, larger amounts may cause death. > Learn more about the threat of Sugarless treats and your dog.

> Read more about poisons in your home.  Is your home pet poison proof?
>>For ANIMAL specific poison prevention and emergency response information, please visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to learn more to protect your pet.

As a parting reminder: Always have your vet’s telephone number handy for emergencies and know the location of your nearest Vet Emergency Clinic for after-hours, weekends and holiday periods.

Knowledge, preparation and active observation of your pet is always your best safeguard. Here’s to a happy and healthy Holiday Season for you, your family and pets.

Happy Halloween!
DawgHugger
 

If you found this article informative, you might like to visit other DawgHugger Pet Health articles. For  a list and quick access, please click here. > DawgHugger's Pet Health Series, Quick Access Guide