Can Wolves Eat Chocolate? and Why Would They!
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People sometimes offer animals foods that are nothing like their natural diet. Some of those foods are harmless, but some are dangerous.
Wolves are carnivores. In the wild they eat mostly meat from large hoofed animals and smaller prey. Chocolate is famously bad for dogs, and dogs descend from wolves, so is chocolate bad for wolves too?
Can wolves eat chocolate? No. Wolves should never eat chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs, and very likely wolves, break down slowly. Enough chocolate can cause vomiting, a racing heart, seizures and even death.
Below, we explain why chocolate is toxic to canines, the warning signs, and other human foods to keep away from them.
What Is The Reason Why Wolves Can't Eat Chocolate?
Chocolate contains stimulants called methylxanthines, mainly theobromine plus some caffeine.
Dogs absorb these compounds well but clear them from the body slowly, so they build up. Wolves and dogs are so closely related that wolves are expected to react the same way. Almost all of the research comes from pet dogs.
Dogs aren't the only animals at risk. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that many species are susceptible to chocolate toxicosis, even though dogs are poisoned most often.
What Makes Chocolate Bad For Wolves?
Theobromine and caffeine act as stimulants on the heart and nervous system.
How dangerous a snack is depends on the type of chocolate, how much was eaten, and the animal's size. A small piece of milk chocolate may cause only an upset stomach in a large canine. The same amount of baking chocolate or cocoa powder can be far more serious.
Signs Of Poisoning In Wolves After Eating Chocolate
Signs usually start 6 to 12 hours after eating chocolate and can last a day or more in serious cases.
Early signs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased thirst
- Restlessness
- Bloated belly
More serious signs include:
- Hyperactivity
- Increased urination
- Wobbly walking
- Tremors and seizures
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- High body temperature
If a dog eats chocolate, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away. Don't wait for symptoms, and don't try to treat it at home.
Can Chocolate Kill Wolves?
Yes, a large enough dose could. Reports of wild wolves eating chocolate are essentially nonexistent, but chocolate poisoning in pet dogs is common.
Per the Merck Veterinary Manual, mild signs in dogs can appear at about 20 mg of methylxanthines per kg of body weight. Heart effects start around 40 to 50 mg/kg, and seizures can occur at 60 mg/kg or more.
These numbers are for veterinarians to assess risk. They are not a "safe amount" guide. Never give a canine any chocolate on purpose.
Other Poisonous Foods For Wolves
Several other human foods are dangerous to dogs and their wild relatives. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists these among its people foods to avoid feeding pets:
- Raisins and grapes: can damage the kidneys.
- Onions and garlic: can destroy red blood cells and cause anemia.
- Alcohol: can cause vomiting, tremors, breathing problems, coma and death.
- Xylitol: can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage.
Amount Of Methylxanthines In Chocolate
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists approximate total methylxanthines (theobromine plus caffeine) per ounce:
- Cocoa powder: about 807 mg/oz
- Unsweetened baking chocolate: about 440 mg/oz
- Semisweet and sweet dark chocolate: about 150 to 160 mg/oz
- Milk chocolate: about 64 mg/oz
- White chocolate: about 1.1 mg/oz (a negligible source)
The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.
Final Verdict
If you visit wolves at a zoo or sanctuary, never feed them anything, and especially not chocolate. Chocolate can poison wolves, dogs and many other animals. If your dog eats chocolate, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away.
Sources
- Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, ASPCA
