chocolate poisoning

Post by Mo » 20 Dec 2007, 13:10

This New Scientists article explains why Chocolate is deadly to dogs and parrots.
It also looks at research to use its chemicals as pesticides. So maybe we should set coffee traps for slugs instead of beer traps. Wonder if they take sugar?

TassieDev · Post by **TassieDev** » 20 Dec 2007, 13:17

Hmmm it's not too good for cats either, but I guess they are less likely to eat it ?
I had heard of the caffeine spray for snails etc, but I guess it's something that'd be washed off pretty quickly in rainy weather - snails' favourite time!!

Citrine · Post by **Citrine** » 20 Dec 2007, 15:25

Yeah, ive heard of using coffe grouts (how do you spell it???) to keep slugs/snails away from prized plants, but I havent tried it cos I dont drink 'real' cofee!

Post by **wendy** » 20 Dec 2007, 15:39

deadly poison. My friends dog was on a drip for three days. After discovering an easter eggs her husband had hidden away.
Advocado is poisonous, as are mushrooms for parrots. I do not give the chickens those as I just am not sure.
Wendy

AnnaB · Post by **AnnaB** » 20 Dec 2007, 21:44

Mo
Do you mean it is the pesticides that are sprayed onto the cocoa plants before they are processed into chocolate?

I would not buy anything other than fair trade as at least the farmers and their families that live on the plantations have a chance of avoiding the chemical route.

Post by Mo » 20 Dec 2007, 22:27

No. There are chemical molecules that make up chocolate, that are poisonous to some animals. The article says -
"Cocoa beans are naturally rich in caffeine and its chemical relatives theobromine and theophylline, collectively called methylxanthines."
and research on these is leading to suggestions of using them as pesticides e.g. caffeine spray.

Good for you on the Fair Trade, I go down that route (but not 100% I'm afraid)

AnnaB · Post by **AnnaB** » 20 Dec 2007, 22:37

The next big health scare then when everyone is overloaded with caffeine??

Post by Mo » 21 Dec 2007, 11:55

That's already a bit of a scare. Dont they put it into soft drinks to make them more habit-forming. And it's a stimulant, so you don't need too much of it.

TassieDev · Post by **TassieDev** » 21 Dec 2007, 15:49

i dont think it'll be the next big health scare, as the article says its pretty well ok for humans - one of those things you'd need to eat stacks of to get poisoned. but thats' only as far as the toxic effect of the stuff that kills animals.

im sure that chocolate and coffee do have some other health issues, so it'd probably be a case of enjoy in moderation!

says me ,who would never overindulge in coffee or chocolate )sm(

Post by **wendy** » 21 Dec 2007, 16:25

indulge in chocolate if it is in the house I am afraid. But never touch caffiene, fizzy drinks etc.
Wendy

seahorse · Post by **seahorse** » 22 Dec 2007, 21:49

The colonel was given chocolate birthday cake, and avocado in a sandwich...both are no no for him now. I looked it up and found them to both be poisonous. He had no effects from either luckily and keeps to granary bread, nuts raisins etc. He also looooves banana pecked from my fingers after I have squashed it for him,bless (f+

Gwenoakes · Post by **Gwenoakes** » 05 Jan 2008, 00:26

Apparently grapes are poisonous to dogs to.
Didnt realise that chocolate was bad for chickens either. My eight ladies have had chocolate spread on bread and toast. Must remember not to give again.
Is there anything else I should know about that is poisonous to them?

Post by **wendy** » 05 Jan 2008, 09:46

grapes are very poisonous, and obviously raisen's etc. I have heard of a dog dying through eating them
Wendy

Post by Mo » 05 Jan 2008, 12:48

Are raisins ok for hens? They sometimes get the crumbs from my cake tin with no apparent ill effects

Post by **wendy** » 05 Jan 2008, 13:00

I would think so. Mine eat grapes and the odd raisen, sultana etc that is in the left over parrot food they get.
Wendy