Chocolate covered bunny
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Which Animal Can Eat Chocolate? (And Which Can’t)

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Most people who own pets are really concerned about their pet’s food habits. However, everything that a human can eat isn’t suitable for other animals. For example, it’s rare to find a person who doesn’t like chocolate, but it can be highly toxic to most animals. That is why it is very essential to know which animal can eat chocolate and which can’t. 

Chocolate can be incredibly toxic to animals. Most people know that dogs are intolerant to chocolate. Though rats, mice, deer, and squirrels can have chocolate in subtle and safe quantities. It is a widespread intolerance for most mammals. From cats to weasels, poultry to pigs, these can’t eat chocolate at all. It can cause fetal toxicity and even cause death.

As a pet owner or animal lover, we know that you want to share everything with your furry friends. If you are worried about whether your pet can eat chocolates or not and which chocolate is safe for them, then no worries! This article will clear out all your queries.

Which Animals Can Eat Chocolate?

Only a number of animals can eat chocolate without threatening themselves. Rabbits, rats, deers, and squirrels are among them!

Chocolate is nice to share with your family and friends. But it is better not to share it with your pets since it can be harmful to them. Though the list of animals that can’t eat chocolate is longer than the list of which animals can eat it. However, for now, let’s have a look at which animals can eat chocolate:

  • Rabbits

Grown-up rabbits can eat chocolate but in a safe quantity. However, it’s not safe for bunnies or baby rabbits. 

How much chocolate they can consume depends on their weight. In case they have it, it is safe for them to have it in a minimal amount. 

  • Rats

A modest amount of chocolate is safe for rats. It might also provide certain benefits to your rats and mice. The substance that makes chocolate toxic is theobromine; it can be harmful to the rats as well if they consume too much of it. Research says that rats and mice can metabolize theobromine about as efficiently as humans.

  • Squirrel
squirrel

Squirrels love chocolate. If you carry chocolate in front of a squirrel, it might even steal the chocolate. But it should not contain more than 0.5 mg of theobromine.

Since 36g of a 70% dark cocoa chocolate bar can lead squirrels to death. It’s better to be careful about their size and weight.

  • Deer

A deer is an herbivorous animal and lives on fruits, nuts, corn, etc. But their diet nutrition isn’t balanced correctly in the winter diet, leading the deer to starve. So, in that case, they probably could eat chocolate, but obviously, it has to contain a safe quantity of theobromine.  Otherwise, it might upset their tummies.

Chocolate intolerance is also a rare case for wild animals. So if you have any wild animals as your pet, you can share chocolate with them. However, it is recommended not to feed chocolate to mammals. If you do, try to know everything about the chocolate ingredients and ensure that the quantity is safe for the animal according to its size and weight. 

Which Chocolate Is Safe For Them?

Chocolate has a significant quantity of substances called theobromine and caffeine that can cause harm to animals. Many people think white chocolate can be safer as it doesn’t contain cocoa and caffeine, but it’s not true in all cases. It is only safe when you follow the quantity measurement according to your pet’s diet and weight.

The grown-up or larger animals can sometimes digest chocolate compared to baby animals if you provide chocolate to them in a safe quantity. White chocolates are also preferable for chocolate-tolerant animals.

There is an alternative of chocolates for your pets. Carob is a natural plant with a similar flavor to chocolate, and it is also sweeter than cocoa. It can work as an alternate option for chocolate. It has nutrients like vitamin B, protein, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. Carob chips don’t contain any caffeine, theobromine, or formamide like chocolate does, so it is safe for your pets.

Animals That Can’t Eat Chocolate

Most animals cannot eat chocolate given they are lactose intolerant and you should keep them away from chocolates as much as you can. Let’s have a look at the list:

  • Dogs
Two Labrador retriever puppies

Chocolate intolerance is prevalent in dogs. However, many people think that dogs can eat almost everything. But according to the MSD Veterinary Manual, it occurs more commonly in dogs due to their indiscriminate eating habits. That’s why chocolate and dogs are a terrible combination.

Chocolate can cause severe illnesses for dogs, such as diarrhea or vomiting. It also may cause pneumonia from vomiting. If your dog eats a large amount of dark or baked chocolates, sudden death can occur from cardiac arrest. It is very crucial to the dogs which have pre-existing heart diseases. 

  • Cats

Chocolate intolerance is also very common for cats. But it is a rare case since cats don’t sense the taste of sweetness, thus, they are not very fond of chocolates. 

The substance called theobromine contained in cocoa has a toxic effect on cats, and it can even cause death. It affects cats more severely than dogs.

  • Birds

Chocolate can be very harmful and fatal for the bird’s digestive system. Chocolate poisoning can affect the digestive system very quickly, causing vomiting and diarrhea for a bird. It might also affect the central nervous system and then eventually lead to death. 

  • Poultries

Chicken and other poultries would just eat anything they find. But their digestive system is quite similar to the birds. So they are also chocolate intolerant. 

It can affect their central nervous system and lead to death. It might also cause cardiac problems for them.

  • Horse

The digestive system of the horse is very similar to dogs. So, they are also sensitive to the ingredient called theobromine which is found in chocolates. Though a large amount of cocoa or chocolate can kill a horse, even a tiny amount can cause big trouble for them. 

Almost all pet animals and mammals are intolerant to chocolates. So it is recommended not to give them chocolates. Otherwise, the result will not be so good. 

Why Is Chocolate Poisonous for Animals?

Chocolate or cocoa contains caffeine and a substance called theobromine, two drugs that humans efficiently metabolize. However, many animals are very intolerant, so theobromine and caffeine coagulate in the animal’s body, which causes symptoms ranging from an upset stomach to seizures, muscle tremors, or a heart attack.

Both caffeine and theobromine belong to a naturally occurring group of stimulants called methylxanthines. It causes chocolate toxicosis in the animals. These substances affect the nervous system, cause vomiting and diarrhea, increase heart rate, stimulate urination, and make an animal restless, leading to death.

If your dog consumes theobromine more than 100-200mg/g, then it can kill them. Here is a table of the measurement quantity to understand what amount will cause illness (toxic dose) and what might kill your pets (lethal dose).

Chocolate TypeTheobromineLethal DoseToxic Dose
Dark Chocolate5-7 mg/g15-40g/kg1g/kg
Milk Chocolate2 mg/g40-80 g/kg8g/kg
Bakery20 mg/g5-10g/kg1g/kg

What If Chocolate Toxicosis Happens?

If your pets consume chocolates in a large quantity, you should immediately consult the nearest veterinarian. There is no known cure for theobromine poisoning, so your veterinarian will make your pet vomit so that the poison can leave their body.

Young female veterinarian with a dog

It would be best if you consult your vet when the animal shows these symptoms:  

  • Rapid breathing
  • Muscle tension
  • Increased heart rate

Moreover, prevention is always better than cure. So keep your chocolates distant from chocolates, and always keep your eyes on them!

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