Theobromine in Chocolate Products and Dog/Cat Toxicity (Methylxanthine, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Seizures, Dark Chocolate Concentration) — pet safety profile
High riskChocolate contains theobromine and caffeine — methylxanthine compounds that dogs and cats metabolize much more slowly than humans.
What is this product?
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine — methylxanthine compounds that dogs and cats metabolize much more slowly than humans. The theobromine half-life in dogs is 17.5 hours versus 6 hours in humans, allowing toxic accumulation at dietary doses harmless to people. Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate contain the highest theobromine concentrations (130-450 mg/oz), making a single ounce of baker's chocolate potentially lethal to a 10-lb dog. Clinical signs progress dose-dependently: vomiting and diarrhea (20 mg/kg), cardiac arrhythmia and hyperactivity (40 mg/kg), seizures and death (>60 mg/kg). ASPCA APCC receives over 70 calls per day about chocolate ingestion during holidays (Halloween, Christmas, Easter). Cats are also susceptible but less commonly affected due to lower chocolate consumption behavior.
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Toxic Compound
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