Why Is Chocolate Deadly for Dogs?

This week Reactions looks at chocolate chemistry--and why chocolate is so bad for dogs. You may have heard that chocolate is high on the list of things that dogs should not be eating, but have you ever wondered why? One molecule, theobromine, is the central culprit to chocolate's toxicity to dogs. Today we're taking a closer look at the stuff, how much is too much, and also give you little advice if you catch little sparky sitting in a pile of chocolate wrappers on your kitchen floor.

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Writer/Producer
Kirk Zamieroski

Executive Producer:
Adam Dylewski

Scientific consultants:

John Malin P.h.D

Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.

Music by Kirk Zamieroski

Sources:

On Theobromine Poisoning - https://aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/m-toxbrief_0201_0.pdf

How to make a dog puke up it's mistake: http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/diseases-conditions-of-dogs/emergency-trauma-urgent-care/how-to-induce-vomiting-emesis-in-dogs

Caffeine/theobromine - http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/i5/Caffeine-Jitters.html

Cats and sweets: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-cats-cannot-taste-sweets/

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.

Reactions is produced by the American Chemical Society.

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S03E04 - How Do Snowflakes Form?