CHOCOLATE AND YOUR BIRDClick hereMany people think that chocolate is bad for birds and animals for the same reason it is bad for humans - it is addictive, fattening and has no food 'value'. They see no harm in slipping Polly the odd Malteser or fun size choccy bar as a treat, other than thinking that the bird might put on a bit of weight. For those who don't mind slowly killing their beloved pet - you can stop reading now. For those who would like to know the REAL effect chocolate has on your pet - read on and be prepared to have your beliefs shattered. Theobromine is a methylxanthine, in the same class of compounds as caffeine and theophylline. Theobromine and the other methylxanthines occur naturally in many plants found throughout the world. Examples include cocoa, tea and coffee plants. Theobromine is the predominant methylxanthine found in cocoa beans. Theophylline is the predominant methylxanthine in tea. Caffeine is the predominant methylxanthine in coffee. Theobromine occurs naturally in cocoa beans and is present in all chocolate products. The amount of theobromine in the finished product depends on the type of chocolate used and the serving size. Milk chocolate contains less theobromine than semi-sweet or dark chocolate. Theobromine has a mild diuretic action (increases urine production) similar to caffeine, but does not stimulate the central nervous system like caffeine. Currently there are no theobromine-free chocolate products available to consumers. In domestic animals, especially dogs, chocolate may harm the heart, kidneys and central nervous system. This is because dogs metabolize theobromine, a naturally occurring substance in chocolate, very slowly. The effect of theobromine on dogs and some other pets is serious. It carries the same risk as does a dog's consumption of other common household items such as coffee, tea, cola beverages and certain houseplants. From another source:- Cocoa and chocolate products may be toxic or lethal to dogs and other domestic animals such as horses because these animals metabolize theobromine more slowly than humans. The heart, central nervous system, and kidneys are affected. Early signs of theobromine poisoning in dogs include nausea and vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and increased urination or incontinence. The treatment at this stage is to induce vomiting. Cardiac arrhythmias and seizures are symptoms of more advanced poisoning. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. In general, theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolates (approximately 10 g/kg) than in milk chocolates (1-5 g/kg). Higher quality chocolate tends to contain more theobromine than lower quality chocolate. Cocoa beans naturally contain approximately 300-1200 mg/ounce theobromine (note how variable this is!).
Our Patron, Neil Forbes, an eminent Avian vet, has confirmed that Theobromine is extremely toxic to birds, and that any bird fed on it will have a very early, painful death. The above quotes from various sources mostly give information for larger domestic pets - but if you consider how much smaller a bird is to a dog - it makes theobromine far more toxic to them. ALTERNATIVE TREATS FOR YOUR BIRD: Pay a visit to your local health food store - there are many organic 'sweety' bars sold which are just as tasty, totally safe and even healthy! These include salt free cashew chews, orange bars, nut bars of all varieties and many more. Some even have added calcium, which would make them ideal for African Greys and 'egg layers'. Next time you are indulging yourself and open a bar of chocolate - ignore the pleading looks and pathetic begging of your feathered friend, reach for the health food bar and console yourself with the knowledge that he/she will be with you for many more years to come, be a lot healthier and possibly even prefer the healthier option! |