Is Chocolate Bad For Dogs

Readers debate nature of pit bulls

In “The debate on pit bulls” (June 22), Michael Mountain, founder of a website in support of pit bulls, is quoted as saying that pit bull terriers were once considered “America’s Family Pet.” The story also says they were called “nanny dogs” because they were so good with children.

It would have taken only a few minutes to do some fact-checking to know that these statements are false. The breed was created in England for blood sport, first for bull baiting, and, after that was outlawed in 1835, for dog fighting, which is still widely practiced.

Although it might be useful to know what Mountain says, it is important to know if what he says is true. It’s even more important is to know that what you read in the U-T is reliable. -- Samuel M. Wright, San Diego

It is sad the a breed is automatically blamed for bites, etc. A good breeder would not allow a dog with vicious tendencies – unless they were specifically bred that way. The owners are always to blame when dogs go bad. Any dog has the potential to be a biter. Let’s look at careless owners before we look at the dog. -- Anita Bunting, San Marcos

In the course of my work as a private detective, I’ve had the sad experience of investigating numerous dog-bite cases, all but one of which involved pit bulls. The exception involved three Dobermans. Why bear that liability? Why would anyone want a dog that they had to worry about?

Now I read about Beth Gruff, who operates It’s the Pits rescue in North County. While between 3 million and 4 million dogs of all breeds are euthanized each year in the U.S., she has made it her mission to save one breed above all others, and that breed happens to be the one that is both the most capable and the most likely to maim or kill. It makes no sense. Why does she not devote her energies toward saving corgies, chocolate Labs or dachshunds? If she has a soft spot for dogs that are often reviled and abused, she might consider finding good homes for mutts. -- Steve Ward, San Diego

Discussions of pit bulls tend to turn emotional, but the evidence worldwide is clear: Pit bulls kill and maim many more people than most other breeds, and public safety requires that they be banned for the greater good.

Of course not every pit bull will kill. Nor will every drunken driver kill someone, but some will, and laws against drunken driving apply to everyone.

Is chocolate bad for dogs | EZ Pet Care

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which can be harmful to dogs.  Theobromine causes stimulation of the brain the heart and the respiratory system.  There are different amounts of theobromine in different types of chocolate products.  The chocolate that contains the least amount is milk chocolate, plain chocolate contains around six times the amount that milk chocolate contains cocoa powder contains even more.

For a 10kg dog which is about 22lb’s the following amounts can prove fatal for your dog.  Two and a half bars of milk chocolate, three quarters of a small bar of plain chocolate and one quarter of a 250g tin of cocoa powder.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate then it is advised to closely watch your dog for the next 24 hours.  If there are any signs of vomiting, excessive thirst or if your dog shows signs of not been well then seek help from your vet right away.  There is no antidote but supportive treatment and care can help.

As always prevention in such cases is  better than cure , if you wish to give chocolate to your dog use especially formulated doggy choc drops which don’t actually contain any chocolate.

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