Birds and chocolate

[Reti]

I heard somebody saying he's was feeding his parrot M&M's with peanuts. This person is an expert in birds.
I thought chocolate is not good for birds or other animals.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

Reti

[Pidgey]

I've heard that it can kill dogs for years and I've heard many people say that their dogs have gobbled dropped chocolate candy bars and never seemed the worse for wear. I've never had anyone tell me their dog died by eating chocolate, come to think of it. I'd bet that it'd have to be the right amount or the right individual with the right problem. You don't give a child an aspirin these days because of the risk of Reye's Syndrome but I managed to make adulthood without getting it and so did most. Rules like that often exist because of the few who do.

Pidgey

[Reti]

Thanks Pidgey,
I guess we tend to be overcautious nowadays. If I think of it, I am sure I gave my dogs chocoalte here and there (when they were begging) and they were fine.

Reti

[Pidgey]

Oh, I'd still avoid giving chocolate to animals. I think it's still a good idea to keep them on a good, healthy diet and leave all the sinful delights to us.

Hehe!

Pidgey

[Pikachu23739]

Originally Posted by Reti

I heard somebody saying he's was feeding his parrot M&M's with peanuts. This person is an expert in birds.
I thought chocolate is not good for birds or other animals.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

Reti

I thought it wasn't good for them too

[maryco]

I wouldn't give it to my birds, but I remember feeding chocolate to our cat (I didn't know better) and she seemed fine, maybe it contained smaller amounts of real chocolate and that's why she was ok, our parrot also ate some but I would NEVER suggest for anyone to feed it to their birds!

[Keys & Eyegone]

Chocolate isn't good for many animals (ie:dogs) it wont kill them right away; there is something in it that they can't excreat from their body, so it builds up and up to toxic levels killing the animal.
This is also a good time to say I'm not going to be on for atleast 2 weeks because my exams are next week and we've been getting A LOT of homework and last minute cramping.
Hilary Dawn

[Reti]

Thanks for your reponses.

Hilary, best of luck with your exams.

Reti

[Mistifire]

Chocolate is toxic, but we have built up an imunity to it, small ammounts wont kill, but it is definately not good for them. It also has alot of sugar and is bad for them the same reasons it is bad for us in large ammounts.

Dogs and cats probably have built more of an imunity than birds have since there more domesticated. I wouldnt recomend chocolate for any animal except very very small amounts as a treat.

*edit* I was working on this at work and posted it when I finished it, it was pretty much answered by everyone else.

Good luck in your exams

[Reti]

Thanks Mistifire,
makes sense. I wouldn't give any of my pets chocolate, there enough treats out there which they enjoy.

Reti

[jazaroo]

Chocolate is a big no-no in general for pets, it contains theobromine an alkaloid that can be toxic, but especially for birds.

We were strictly warned by one of our birds breeders no chocolate of any kind EVER, as well as no avocado, rhubarb leaves, caffeine, alcohol or fruit pits. This was later backed-up by our avian vet at a routine checkup.

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for verifying that jazaroo.

While the benefits of dark chocolate have come to light, in regard to its antioxident ingredients for human consumption, it is still not something to eat as a part of a regular diet, and in no way should it be given to our feathered friends.