Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?

This project is about :"What is in chocolate that is toxic to dogs and and how we can prevent it."
Abigail Kondrat Elena Ducharme
Grade 5

Problem

How do different types and amounts of chocolate affect dogs?

 

Method

We looked online for more information then we know already.

Research

  • Chocolate contains cocoa beans. These beans contain theobromine and caffeine.

  • Theobromine is a natural occurring compound found in the cacao plant.  It is a  white or colourless solid. 

  • Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate are more toxic than any other chocolates because the theobromine and caffeine levels are higher than any other type of chocolate.

  •   White chocolate is the safest type of chocolate because the theobromine and caffeine levels are the lowest.

Data

  • Semi sweet: 1 oz, chocolatetheobromine=138 mg, caffeine=22 mg

  • Dark chocolate: 1 oz , theobromine=376 mg, caffeine =23 mg

  • Baking chocolate :1 oz ,theobromine=2266 mg,  caffeine=67.1 mg

  • Milk chocolate:1 oz, theobromine=46 mg, caffeine =6 mg 

  • White chocolate:1 oz, theobromine= 0.73mg, caffeine =0.04mg

  • Bittersweet chocolate:1 oz theobromine=0.62 mg, caffeine=1.5

  • Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened

    1 cup (86g)

    2266 mg

    		  

    Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares

    1 cup, grated (132g)

    1712 mg

    		  

    Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened

    1 cup (86g)

    1769 mg

    		  

    Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid

    1 oz (28g)

    447 mg

    		  

    Puddings, chocolate flavor, dry mix

    1 Package (40g)

    238 mg

    		  

    Desserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix

    1 Package, 2 oz (57g)

    242 mg

    		  
           

    Syrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup

    2 tbsp (35g)

    68.3 mg

    		  
           
           
           

Conclusion

If your dog eats a large amount of dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate  it is highly likely that your dog will have a severe reaction.  Dogs are more at risk for severe toxicity  if their weight is on the smaller side.  

Get professional help right away.  Call your vet and bring your animal in to your nearest clinic!  They have ways of not allowing the theobromine to be absorbed into your dog's system.

So don’t worry if your dog eats chocolate because now you know what to do when it happens!

 

Citations

Acknowledgement

I want to thank the vets that answered our phone calls for getting information.