Chocolate is a delicious and popular treat for humans, but it can be harmful to horses. So, if you wonder: Can horses eat chocolate? The answer is no, and there’s an interesting reason why.
Theobromine, a stimulant found in chocolate, is toxic to horses in large amounts. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause health problems for horses. So, you’ll want to keep your horses away from chocolate. Otherwise, it could kill them or result in a large vets bill.
Come with us as we explore: can horses eat chocolate or sweets?
What is chocolate?
Chocolate is a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels. The earliest evidence of chocolate-like beverages dates back to 4,000 BC in Mesoamerica. Cacao beans were used by the Aztecs and Mayans as currency and as an ingredient in religious ceremonies.
Chocolate was introduced to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors. Today, us Brits eat an estimated 660,900 tonnes of chocolate a year or an average of 11kg per person per year, which equates to about 3 bars a week.
What is theobromine?
Theobromine is a stimulant found in chocolate, coffee, and tea. It’s also found in small amounts in some fruits and vegetables. Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid, similar to caffeine.
It works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel tired.
Why is theobromine toxic to horses?
Horses metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans. So, it takes them longer to remove theobromine from their bodies. As a result, even small amounts of theobromine can build up to toxic levels in horses.
Theobromine poisoning in horses can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Colic
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Hyperthermia (high body temperature)
- Seizures
- Death
If you think your horse has eaten chocolate, it is important to call your veterinarian immediately. Treatment for theobromine poisoning may include induced vomiting, activated charcoal, and supportive care.
How much chocolate is toxic to horses?
The amount of chocolate that’s toxic to horses depends on the type of chocolate and the weight of the horse. Sadly, there’s no one size fits all rule.
Dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate, and white chocolate is the least toxic. A small amount of chocolate may not be harmful to a large horse, but even a small amount of chocolate can be toxic to a small horse.
What to do if your horse eats chocolate
If you think your horse has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately. Your vet might induce vomiting or give your horse activated charcoal to help absorb the theobromine.
The vet may also give your horse supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and electrolytes. You’ll want to spot the signs early to give your vet will have the best chance of saving your horse.
If you leave it too later after your horse has eaten chocolate, you might have to say goodbye to your horse as it could be too late.
How will your vet start treatment?
When a horse has eaten chocolate, a vet will look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Restlessness
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Colic
- Weakness
- Coma
The vet will ask you about the type and amount of chocolate as well as when it was eaten. This information will help the vet to determine the severity of the poisoning and to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment may include induced vomiting, activated charcoal, and supportive care. In severe cases, the horse may need to be hospitalized.
How to prevent your horse from eating chocolate
By taking steps to prevent your horse from eating chocolate, you can help keep them safe. Here are a few tips:
- Keep chocolate out of reach of your horse.
- If you have guests bringing chocolate, ensure they know not to give it to your horse.
- If you are baking with chocolate, do it in a well-ventilated area and clean up any spills immediately.
By following these tips, you can help keep your horse safe from the dangers of chocolate.
So, can horses eat chocolate?
If you’re wondering: can horses eat chocolate? You’ll now know that chocolate isn’t safe for horses to eat. If you think your horse has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately.
By taking steps to prevent your horse from eating chocolate, you can help keep them safe.
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