To start off we have to look at the molecules that make up chocolate. The main one being a complex molecule called theobromine being made up of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms theobromine often acts as a stimulant. Similar to caffeine the effects of theobromine included an increased heart rate and muscle contractions. The reason why humans don't experience these intense effects is because we have evolved to process theobromine quickly. On the other hand pets such as dogs, cat, rabbits, and mice process theobromine slowly causing painful muscle contractions, heart attacks, which eventually could lead to death. This inability to digest theobromine also is paired up with weight. For example, an average 150lb male would
only have to eat around
8kg of dark chocolate to
get a lethal dose of
theobromine. For a
dog this amount is
a proximately 1kg
and in a cat this amount
is only 0.10kg. So this holiday season make sure your pets doesn't get into your stocking and eat all of your candy before you do.
