Today, people or pet owners tend to give different food to their pets or animals in the zoo, which is not natural to their usual diet in the wild. Lots of preservatives are given to these animals that may cause illnesses to them. However, not all preservative foods are bad for animals. Some foods are good for animals and some can be dangerous.
We all know that wolves are carnivorous animals. They love to eat meat and chicken. Also, they love to eat vegetables sometimes. However, most of their diet comes from meat since they are carnivores. However, what about chocolate? Since chocolates are scientifically proven bad for your dogs and wolves and dogs are related, are chocolates bad for wolves too? Let us find out!
Can wolves eat chocolate? No! Wolves should not eat chocolate. Chocolates have theobromine, which is bad for wolves. Wolves digest the theobromine content much slower than humans. That is why eating chocolate can lead to serious effects. It can make wolves sick, and worse, die.
Today, we will dive deeper into the different reasons why wolves can’t eat chocolates and what makes chocolates bad for wolves. Also, I will tell you different signs of poisoning in wolves and other foods that are poisonous for them. If you are ready, let us move on!
What Is The Reason Why Wolves Can’t Eat Chocolate?
The reason why wolves can’t eat chocolates is that chocolates are not good for wolves. After all, even a small amount of chocolate can make wolves sick or poisoned. Wolves and dogs are related to each other. That is why chocolates are not good for both of them. Both canines cannot metabolize theobromine substances effectively.
Dogs, wolves, and other canines showed the amplified toxicity compared to other species of animals. Many scientists believe that higher toxicity is linked with their unique methylxanthine metabolite.
However, not only wolves can be poisoned because of chocolates. Other species, such as birds, cats, bears, and rodents can also be sick or worse, die, when they intake a bar of chocolate. Whatever the size of the chocolate they intake, small or big, they can be sick from it.
What Makes Chocolate Bad For Wolves?
The reason why chocolate is bad for wolves is that chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine. All chocolates have theobromine! This chemical makes wolves sick. Also, this chemical can make wolves poisoned.
Yes! Just by eating a small piece of chocolate, wolves can start feeling sick and they can die from it. Let me tell you below the signs of poisoning in wolves after eating chocolate.
Signs Of Poisoning In Wolves After Eating Chocolate
After eating a bar of chocolate, the first sign of poisoning can happen fast. Within one to five hours, depending on the size of the chocolate a wolf intake.
These symptoms can last from several hours up to 24 to 72 hours. The most usual first symptom is vomiting and diarrhea.
Other signs of poisoning in wolves after eating chocolate are:
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
Can Chocolate Kill Wolves?
Absolutely yes! Chocolates can kill wolves! Like I have mentioned above, wolves can get poisonous because of chocolates and poisoning can lead to death.
However, the reports about wolves getting poisoned and dying due to chocolate are quite rare. However, reports about domesticated dogs, which are their cousins, are much more frequent.
Dogs and wolves share close to 99% of the same DNA. That is why the amount of theobromine needed to poison wolves is the same with dogs. But how much of theobromine can poison wolves and dogs?
Different types of chocolate have different amounts of theobromine. Some chocolates have 0.3-0.5 ounces per pound of theobromine, which can already be lethal for both wolves and dogs.
Other Poisonous Foods For Wolves
Aside from chocolates, other types of food can poison and kill wolves. Most of these foods are foods that people eat. These human foods can be dangerous for both wolves and dogs if they eat these human foods. The other foods that are poisonous for wolves are:
- Raisins and grapes – can cause kidney problems.
- Onions and garlic – these veggies can kill red blood cells.
- Alcohol – any type of alcohol can lead to death!
- Xylitol – any products that have xylitol can cause liver failure.
Amount Of Theobromine In Chocolates
Below are the different chocolates and the amount of theobromine they have:
- Dark chocolate: 135 mg/oz.
- White chocolate: 0.24 mg/oz.
- Baking chocolate: 394-450 mg/oz.
- Cocoa Powder: 400-740 mg/oz.
- Cacao beans: 330-1000 mg/oz.
Final Verdict
If you will go into captivity or zoo to see a real-life wolf, never give the wolf chocolate. Chocolate can kill wolves! Dogs and other animals should not be given chocolate. Animals and humans are different. Some foods are good and tasty for humans but gross and dangerous for animals. If you give animals these dangerous foods, it can lead to poisoning, disease, and death!
