Lots of dogs love chocolate, but it doesn't love them. Signs of a toxic dose include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and cardiac arrhythmias

Who doesn't love chocolate? It's the stuff of celebrations, holidays and romance. It's filled with feel-good chemicals, and there's even evidence that it's good for our health.

Dogs love chocolate as much as we do, based on the number of stories I've heard about canines who crave the sweet stuff. Just about every week, I see or hear from clients whose dogs have gotten into a box of designer chocolates or a bag of Snickers bars or M&Ms. I even remember one Christmas when my brother Bobby's late Yorkie, Buddy, ate an entire 1-pound box of Godiva chocolates.

But while dogs who OD on chocolate might get the same flavor enjoyment from it that we do, it's not so good for their health. Chocolate contains both caffeine and a substance called theobromine. Both are plant alkaloids, mildly stimulating to humans, but toxic to dogs, who aren't able to process theobromine as efficiently as humans.

Now, I hear stories all the time about dogs who suffer no ill effects after eating a whole batch of homemade fudge, a bag of Hershey's kisses, a chocolate muffin or cookies dipped in dark chocolate. That's because chocolate's toxic effects -- known as chocolate toxicosis -- vary depending on the size of the dog, the amount and type of chocolate eaten, and individual sensitivity.

Small dogs, like 6-pound Buddy, are at greater risk than the typical 100-pound Labrador retriever. And dogs who eat chocolate candy adulterated with lots of sugar are usually less at risk than those sophisticated canines who ingest high-quality dark chocolate.

"The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it is," says Justine Lee, DVM, who's double board-certified in toxicology and emergency and critical-care medicine. "White and milk chocolate have less theobromine, the poisonous chemical, compared to baking chocolate."

That doesn't mean that milk chocolate is necessarily safe. One ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a potentially lethal dose in dogs.

Usually, when dogs down too much chocolate, they vomit it back up. If they ate a 2-pound bag of M&Ms, you might come home to rainbow-colored vomit on your carpet.

Sometimes the evidence comes out the other end. Barbara Davis of Corona, California, had an English springer spaniel with a chocolate fetish.

"One time she consumed an entire sack of Kraft Fudgies, including the little gold plastic wrappers," Davis says. "At that time I was living in Manhattan, and it raised quite a few eyebrows as people observed my dog pooping gold in the curb on 52nd Street."

If they're going to have a problem, most dogs start to vomit, have diarrhea or become unusually thirsty within six to 12 hours of ingesting chocolate. Restlessness and a distended abdomen are also signs. More severe side effects such as seizures, a racing heart (tachycardia) and high or low blood pressure can also occur.

Death by chocolate isn't just the name of a dessert. Dogs who are highly sensitive to theobromine or who ingest the more toxic dark forms of chocolate, such as cocoa powder or unsweetened baking chocolate, can die from cardiac arrhythmias, hyperthermia or respiratory failure.

Another factor is the possible presence of xylitol, a sugar alcohol, in some chocolate products. It's highly toxic to dogs and may be of more concern than the chocolate itself.

My brother's dog Buddy indeed needed a trip to the veterinary clinic, but I'm happy to report that he survived the incident.

When in doubt, Dr. Lee advises, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or other pet poison hotline for life-saving advice. They can advise whether or not it's a poisoning concern.

Q&A

How to help kids

treat pets right

Q: I have a young niece and nephew, and they'll be visiting frequently. What are the best ways to teach them to pet my dog and cat without anybody getting hurt? -- via Facebook

A: That's a great question! Starting while they're young will help them to become loving and careful toward animals throughout their lives.

Begin with the adage "Show, don't tell." Demonstrate how to softly pet a dog or cat. Hold the child's hand as he or she strokes it across the body. Teach the three-finger rule, too: Touch the pet with only three fingers, not the whole hand. Let very young children pet animals only when you're there to help.

Appeal to a young child's sense of empathy. Point out to your niece and nephew that nobody likes to be hit or kicked or have their hair pulled -- and that includes dogs and cats. This helps to emphasize the importance of petting animals quietly and calmly. With very young children, you'll probably need to repeat this discussion frequently and keep an eye on interactions to make sure your dog and cat never feel the need to defend themselves.

Remind kids to use their "inside voice" when they're around pets. They'll be fascinated to learn that dogs and cats can hear better than they can, even from far away.

Kids love to pick up animals and carry them around, but dogs and cats usually don't think it's much fun. Set the rule that pets can be held only when kids are sitting on the floor or on the sofa -- and only for as long as the pet allows it. No hanging onto him if he wants to get down. Teach older children (and some adults) to always support a pet's rear when picking him up. You're doing an important job: creating new animal lovers. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Orlando is No. 1

with pets and owners

-- How much does it cost to keep a pet where you live? Depending on the type of animal, annual costs range from $235 to nearly $2,000. Based on expenses, Orlando, Florida, is the nation's most pet-friendly city, according to personal finance website WalletHub. Experts crunched the numbers using such factors as veterinarians per capita (Orlando ranks first), veterinary care costs, price of pet insurance premiums, number of pet-friendly restaurants, dog parks per capita and walkability. Other high-ranking pet-friendly cities are Birmingham, Alabama; Tampa, Florida; Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky; Scottsdale, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; Las Vegas; and St. Louis.

-- Slowly but surely, pets are taking over workplaces. According to figures from the Society of Human Resource Management, 7 percent of U.S. employers permit employees to bring pets to work, up from 5 percent five years ago. Managers say the presence of pets helps to promote work-life balance and improve employee morale and productivity. Research by Randolph Barker, a management professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, found that people who brought pets to work had decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

-- Bulldogs are among the breeds with the poorest health, according to a study published last month in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. Because bulldogs have little genetic diversity, a weak immune system and a head shape that makes it difficult for them to breathe, breeders have little wiggle room when it comes to improving their dogs. "Improving health through genetic manipulations presumes that enough diversity still exists to improve the breed from within and, if not, to add diversity by outcrossing to other breeds," says Niels Pedersen, the study's lead author. "The English bulldog has reached the point where popularity can no longer excuse the health problems that the average bulldog endures in its often brief lifetime." -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

When it comes to pets, don't "lean in." 7 tips on greeting etiquette

I was with friends in my hometown of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and we were standing on the porte-cochere of a local hotel's restaurant. Coming directly at us on a retractable leash was a cute, energetic canine with curly black hair, weighing about 12 pounds. What stood out to me was not his physical appearance, but his emotions: He was clearly anxious and fearful.

He ran around on the end of the retractable leash, zigging and zagging like a marlin hooked off the Baja Peninsula. Like a blinking neon sign, he alternated between relaxing and returning to his anxious, fearful behavior. His owner was oblivious to his fear, anxiety and stress. All he needed was the comfort of a couple of pet lovers, right?

Wrong.

Both of my female friends moved straight for the pooch, leaned over him, stretched out their hands toward his head and with direct eye contact said, "Aren't you a cute little doggy!"

The dog was in full-blown panic.

For decades, millions of pet lovers have done exactly the same. Taught by parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors and other animal lovers, they learned to show affection for a dog by leaning in, extending a friendly hand and locking eyes in loving contact. But in working with dozens of boarded animal behaviorists, behavior technicians and trainers, I've learned that all of that is wrong. All of it!

Here's how you should greet a dog.

1. Ask. Before you do anything, get the owner's permission to pet the dog. Not all dogs like meeting strangers.

2. Play hard to get. Don't rush toward the dog. Move slowly, talk slowly, extend your closed fist slowly. Let the dog choose if he or she wants to interact with you. Debbie Martin, a veterinary technician specialist in behavior and co-author of the "Puppy Start Right" book and preschool curriculum, says: "Let the dog make the first move. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they can smell us from across the street. We do not need to reach our hands into their personal space so they can smell us."

3. Get small. Looming over a dog can make him feel threatened or fearful. Rather than greeting a dog full-on, as if you're a store greeter ready to shake hands, turn your body sideways to reduce your profile, thus presenting a smaller perceived threat to the dog.

4. Extend a friendly fist. Once the dog has made the first move and is signaling interest in interacting with you, put out a closed fist down low, and let him make the approach. This is less threatening (and less annoying to the dog) than reaching out with the open palm of your hand and petting him on top of the head.

5. Eyes right. Your mom was right when she told you it was rude to stare. Dogs think it's rude, too. Don't make eye contact with a dog. That's considered a threat in his world. You can glance at him, but let your peripheral vision guide you.

6. Don't touch the head. Dogs have special places they like to be petted, but the head isn't one of them. The top of the head is taboo. Along the top of the back isn't so good, either. The best way to pet a dog is to lightly scratch along the side of the neck, side of the chest, or at the base of the tail.

7. What if a dog doesn't want to approach you? That's his business. Be content to admire him from a distance. He'll appreciate it more than you can imagine.

Q&A

How to choose the

best litter box

Q: I'm getting a cat and need to buy supplies. What's the best type of litter box? -- via Facebook

A: There are probably as many different types of litter boxes as there are cat preferences in litter boxes. What your cat purr-fers depends on such factors as age, size, predilection toward privacy and elimination style.

A kitten might do best with a basic open litter box. It's easy to get into and offers plenty of space for her to search out the ideal pee or poop spot. An open box is also a good choice for any cat who doesn't kick a lot when covering waste, doesn't spray and doesn't mind an audience while she does her business.

The benefits of this style box for you are that it's inexpensive, it's easy to see right away that it needs to be scooped and there's no lid to remove or moving parts that could break. Not all cats like them, but if yours doesn't mind a plastic liner, using one can reduce the frequency of washing the box when you change the litter.

Consider a covered litter box if your cat likes to dig and kick in the litter or has an aversion to being caught with her britches down. It's important to check it a couple of times a day to see if it needs to be scooped.

Remember that an adult cat needs a larger box than a kitten. A good size is one and a half times your cat's length, including the tail. Clues that a cat needs a larger box include kicking out a lot of litter or having trouble moving around inside the box.

Adopting a kitten or a senior cat? Try to find a box with a step to make it easier for your small or arthritic cat to get in and out. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Tearstains may

be treatable

-- Does your dog have red or brown tearstains beneath his eyes? The stains aren't just unsightly; they may hint at an eye problem. Irritation from abnormal growth of eyelashes or facial hair rubbing against the eye is one possibility. Allergies, corneal ulcers and eye infections can also cause dogs to tear up. Blocked ducts can cause tears to spill over onto the face and stain the area beneath the eyes as well. Take your dog to the veterinarian to see if the staining has a treatable cause. Otherwise, clean the under-eye area regularly with mild shampoo and water.

-- Dogs taken from fighting rings will no longer automatically be labeled "vicious," according to new legislation signed last month by California governor Jerry Brown. Instead, AB 1825 permits individual dogs to be evaluated by animal welfare experts or veterinarians to determine if they are suitable for placement as pets. Previously, any dog whose owner was convicted of felony dogfighting was deemed vicious. The term now applies to any dog who hurts a person without provocation. In other animal-welfare legislation signed by Brown, shelters may no longer kill animals by gassing them with carbon dioxide.

-- Who hasn't dreamed of getting a long-term work assignment abroad, especially in one of Europe's glamorous capitals? But of course you wouldn't want to go without your best canine or feline friend. So how do you get him there? Small pets under 20 pounds may be able to fly in the cabin with you, depending on the airline and destination, but larger animals are relegated to cargo, which can be stressful and potentially dangerous, not to mention expensive, with costs ranging from $200 to $2,500. A floating alternative is the Queen Mary II, which has kennel service on its transatlantic crossings. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Ways you can help the most vulnerable pets and people when temperatures rise

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Above-average temperatures in all 50 states are predicted for well into October, according to the federal Climate Prediction Center. That's bad news for pets and people with little protection from the heat: those who live on the streets or have little income for frills such as air conditioning, and seniors, who may have difficulty caring for pets at the best of times, let alone when temperatures soar into triple digits.

Heat can be a big challenge, especially in urban areas, says Lori Weise, founder of Downtown Dog Rescue (DDR) in Los Angeles.

"A person might be able to go inside a building that's air conditioned, but they're not going to be able to bring their dog or cat inside."

If you've ever seen a homeless person with a dog or cat, you may have wondered if they have any special needs, especially when it's hot out. Or maybe you have a neighbor or friend who's a senior citizen and are concerned about how they're faring. It's not always easy to know how to help, but there are some simple, kind ways at all expense levels that you can contribute to their well-being.

You may see homeless people with pets regularly as you walk city streets. Keeping a bottle of water on hand to give away is a generous gesture that doesn't cost much or take much time. Including a silicone collapsible pet bowl is a nice touch; they're available in sets of five for less than $12.

Cooling bandanas for any size pet and cooling vests for small pets are available for less than $10. Carry a couple with you to give away.

Ask what they need. If a grocery store or pet supply store is on your way, offer to buy some water they can share or a bag of food for the pet.

Share information about programs that can help. In Los Angeles, DDR offers a weekly opportunity for shelter and aid.

"We invite anybody living in the Skid Row community to come in to the Inner City Law Center on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.," Weise says. "Pets are welcome, and we have water and granola bars and pretty comprehensive services for cats and dogs: food, collars, leashes, crates, pretty much any supply they need, including a buggy for older or small dogs."

It's not just homeless people who need help. Families who are struggling because of unemployment or health issues may need help with pet care. Others may simply be inexperienced pet owners who don't recognize that their animals need better shelter, shade or flea treatment.

Options for shelter include looking on Craigslist for a gently used plastic doghouse that you can offer. It's also a good resource for a child's pool that the dog can splash in.

"Home Depot sells shade cloths, and they're inexpensive -- about $39," Weise says. "You could string one of those up in a backyard and instantly have some shade for the dog."

Sometimes people don't know about advances in flea treatment. People who haven't had a dog since childhood may think it's normal for dogs to have fleas. Casually suggest your favorite flea-control product, Weise suggests.

Check in with senior neighbors to see if they need help walking their dog. They may have health conditions that make it unwise or difficult for them to go out in the heat.

Be kind.

"I think people get weird about doing things like that," Weise says. "But you can offer in a way that's not insulting or trying to teach the person a lesson, just saying, 'I would love the honor of treating you to this.'"

Q&A

How to trim

puppy's toenails

Q: I just got a new puppy, and I'm afraid to trim her nails. I "quicked" my previous dog once, and I still shudder when I remember the screaming and the blood. How can I do it right? -- via Facebook

A: Ouch! We feel your pain -- and your former dog's. But now is your chance to redeem yourself and set your puppy's paws on the path to good walking condition. Here's how to get started.

First, get the right size clippers for your dog. Ask your veterinarian, a professional groomer or the dog's breeder to recommend an appropriate pair that's not too large and not too small.

Get a lesson. Your veterinarian, a veterinary technician or a professional groomer can demonstrate the best technique to use.

The goal is to trim off the dead part of the nail without hitting the quick -- the blood vessel that feeds the nail. If your dog has white nails, the quick is usually pretty easy to see -- it's the dark line you see running through the middle of the nail. It can be more difficult to spot if your dog has dark nails, but shining a penlight on the nail will often highlight it.

Trimming just before the nail curves is usually the best way to avoid quicking a dog. Hold your puppy's paw firmly in one hand, and use your dominant hand to trim the nail. Do just one or two at a time, taking off just a small amount to make sure you don't hurt her. If necessary, a spouse, child or friend can distract her with a spoonful of peanut butter.

Clip nails often, not only to keep them short, but also to accustom your dog to having her feet handled. How can you tell if the nails are at a good length? They shouldn't touch the ground when your dog is standing. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Truth in labeling?

Not always, study finds

-- Got meat? Seven of 14 pet foods labeled vegetarian or vegan were found to contain traces of meat -- beef, pork or mutton -- according to the results of a study by Nutrition Support Service researchers at the University of California-Davis veterinary hospital. The highly sensitive test detected the presence of mammalian DNA in six dry diets and one canned diet. The foods may have been contaminated with trace amounts of meat-based ingredients during storage or processing, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, but even if accidental, the presence of meat violates pet food labeling laws. Study results appeared in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.

-- Does your dog need braces? Believe it or not, sometimes orthodontia has therapeutic benefits for pooches with tooth trouble. For instance, a tooth that doesn't line up correctly can dig painfully into the palate and prevent the dog from closing his mouth comfortably. Braces can bring it back into alignment. Braces for Bowser are installed, adjusted and removed with the dog under anesthesia and usually are worn for only a few months. The good news is that a Rin Tin Tin grin costs a lot less than braces for human teenagers.

-- The Million Cat Challenge is halfway toward its goal of saving one million shelter cats over a five-year period. Launched in December 2014 by co-founders Dr. Kate Hurley and Dr. Julie Levy, the campaign is now the world's largest feline life-saving initiative. As of April 4, 2016, 500,000 cats have had their lives saved because of its initiatives to help shelters reduce feline admissions, improve operations, promote adoptions and sterilize and vaccinate feral cats. Currently, more than 900 shelters participate in the program, which is sponsored by Maddie's Fund. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.