Feeding dogs chocolate

[ZestyMaximus]

AIBU to get upset and angry at DP when he casually announces that he's fed my dogs chocolate. Again. Despite me having previously, on more than one occasion, told him it's poisonous for dogs and not to feed it to them.

His defense is that it was only a little bit (they're Chihuahuas so it wouldn't take much) and that he used to give his previous dog (Greyhound / Collie mix) the occasional bit and she didn't drop dead. He thinks it's bullshit that chocolate is actually poisonous to dogs.

So what would have to happen for him to take it seriously?

A huge vet bill? A sick dog?

There is huge amounts of information on the effects of theobromine freely available. Several people have posted of their experiences of their dog eating chocolate

Could you print off some information? Speak to your vet?

My FiL was the same and would occasionally sneak our dog chocolate digestives as he too thought it was a load of bollocks, he had a dog and he was fine, etc, etc. until the event I've posted above and now he accepts he can't give the dog chocolate

Twinkle - I'm going to print off this thread before I leave work tonight to show him. Great idea re info on theobromine too - thanks

Eeek, sorry, just realised I meant Tinkle Sorry

Here's a link showing how much chocolate it takes to cause illness and death in different weights of dogs.

Hope it helps.

Death by Chocolate? Methylxantine Toxicosis

Merck Veterinary Manual - chocolate toxicosis

It would take much less dark chocolate to poison a dog; the theobromine content is 3x higher than in milk.

YANBU.... he is disregarding your views with possible dangerous results. Show him some facts like others have said.

l would be livid he disregarded my direct request, this shows no respect for you.

Why on earth do people think dogs should be given human food? It would never occur to me to give my dog anything but meat or dog food......they are dogs not humans!

Just because he can't immediately see the ill effects a poisonous substance has on an animal, doesn't mean it isn't affecting things internally. Animals cannot always show their discomfort either, so he could very well be making them feel very ill feeding them something they shouldn't have.

At the very least he needs to agree not to do this again or I'd be seriously doubting the relationship. I'd hope he'd be open to learning the facts though, and understanding why he is actually wrong in this situation.

He thinks it's an old wives' tale does he?! Well, the British Veterinary Association doesn't agree with him:
www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Newsroom/News-releases/Keep-chocolate-treats-well-away-from-pets-this-Easter,-warn-vets/

Argh, it doesn't like the link, I'll try again...

www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Newsroom/News-releases/Keep-chocolate-treats-well-away-from-pets-this-Easter,-warn-vets/

Take him to the vet (DH) and get them to explain the consequences. He won't do it again.