Tips of the Month
Chocolate and Your Pet
Yes, chocolate is toxic to dogs. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness.
The components of chocolate that are toxic to dogs are Theobromine and Caffeine. These two chemicals are, structurally, almost identical, and both belong to a group of chemicals called Methylxanthines.
All forms of chocolate are hazardous. Dry cocoa powder and baking chocolate are most toxic due to their high level of theobromine.
When a dog eats chocolate, they may experience nausea and will likely vomit. They will have a high heart rate, diarrhea, and show signs of hyperactivity. In severe cases they will experience tremors, seizures and possibly death.
If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health issues.
As with all things, the dose makes the poison. There are online chocolate toxicity calculators that can help you evaluate your dogs risk level after eating chocolate. Just plug in your information, and it will tell you if you should seek medical attention for your dog. It’s always best to err on the side of caution.
From the City's Animal Welfare Committee
Cut back on food waste: save money and the planet
We’ve all been there. Finding rotting veggies or takeout food that’s well past its prime in the fridge. With the price of food at an all time high, wasting food is wasting money. It’s also bad for the planet. When we throw food in the trash, it goes to landfill where it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that drives climate change.
Luckily, there are some simple steps to take to cut back on waste:
- Check the expiration date. If the package says “best buy” or “sell buy” you can likely eat food beyond these dates, since they are about peak freshness, not safety.
- Store your produce so it lasts longer. Most vegetables should be stored in a sealed plastic bag or the crisper of your fridge. If potatoes, bananas, or onions come in a plastic bag, take them out of the bag and store in a cool dry place (outside the fridge) with air circulation.
- Put older foods towards the front of the fridge. You’re more likely to eat them first.
- Freeze foods you are not going to eat right away. Many leftovers freeze well for weeks.
Even with these food-saving steps, you’re going to have some scraps and waste. You can compost these. You can compost fruit, veggies, grains, and coffee grounds in your backyard. Or, you can take part in the City’s new Curbside Food Scrap Collection program, which also takes meat, fish, and bones. You simply place food scraps out for pickup in designated containers once a week. Find more information and sign up at www.collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps.
From the City's Committee for a Better Environment