Summary:
- Chocolate is toxic to dogs and could cause a medical emergency.
- Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours.
- Knowing how much and what kind of chocolate your dog ate is key.
You may have come across several websites as a pet owner alerting people about the risks of giving their dogs chocolate. The findings, however, could vary slightly from what you have heard or read.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, and depending on the kind and quantity consumed along with your dog's weight can result in a significant medical emergency. It's crucial to keep an eye out for poisoning symptoms if you know your dog has ingested chocolate. Understand how much chocolate is too much, which varieties are the most hazardous, and what symptoms to watch out for that can indicate your dog needs medical attention.
My dog ate chocolate but is acting fine. It could be that it doesn’t know it is chocolate or has swallowed a smaller amount than usual. Chocolate contains chemicals that can build up in your dog’s body over time and cause serious health issues if not removed.
It's wonderful to see your dog performing normally. Because it includes theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline, chocolate can be hazardous to dogs. Chocolate contains all stimulant-functioning alkaloids, but dogs cannot process them. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most typical side effects of consuming chocolate.
How is Chocolate Toxic to Dogs
Theobromine and caffeine, which are both included in chocolate, may both increase heart rate and enliven a dog's neurological system. The likelihood that your dog may get sick after eating chocolate depends on the kind and quantity eaten as well as your dog's weight. Utilize this simple tool to determine the toxicity risk for your dog. Various forms of chocolate have different amounts of these harmful ingredients.
List of chocolate’s with theobromine in order from high risk to low:
- Cocoa powder (most toxic)
- Unsweetened baker’s chocolate
- Semisweet chocolate
- Dark chocolate
- Milk chocolate
You and your veterinarian can decide whether you have an emergency by knowing how much and what sort of chocolate your dog consumed. A dog would typically have minor signs of chocolate poisoning at 20 mg of methylxanthines per kilogram of body weight. Around 40 to 50 mg/kg of chocolate causes cardiac symptoms, while 60 mg/kg or more causes convulsions.
That translates into an alarming amount of chocolate, which is around one ounce of milk chocolate for every pound of body weight. Even one Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar, which weighs 1.55 ounces on average, might have harmful effects, especially for little dogs. On the other hand, if your dog is a bigger breed, it is likely that it won't die from eating a tiny piece of chocolate or a crumb of chocolate cake, but they should never be given chocolate as a reward.
My Dog Ate Chocolate but is Acting Fine!
Some dogs struggle with chocolate, especially if it's the first piece they've ever had. If your dog ate chocolate in the past but is acting normally now, it's probable that he was just really stressed out at the time and took more than he should have.
Dogs adore chocolatey treats, especially those that enjoy licking their bowls clean. They might get quite sick if you give them too much of it or let them consume it unattended.
Keep a watch out for indications of diarrhea or nausea, though. Please get in touch with your veterinarian right once if you have any of these symptoms.
How to Tell if My Dog is ok After Eating Chocolate?
Start by checking for vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. If your dog displays any of these signs, you need to get them treated right away. The earlier they receive medical care, the better. They can assist you in determining whether your dog is alright after consuming chocolate.
Theobromine is one of the most frequent causes of chocolate poisoning in dogs. Theobromine is an unpleasant chemical found in cocoa beans and other caffeinated foods like coffee and tea.
You should keep an eye on your dog for at least an hour after consuming chocolate that contains theobromine. If you detect any changes in their behavior or vital signs at this time, call your veterinarian right away.
Signs of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs
When your dog eats chocolate, symptoms of poisoning often show up 6 to 12 hours later. A sudden death from chocolate poisoning is more likely in older dogs and canines with cardiac issues. The following are the symptoms, which can continue for up to 72 hours:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Increased urination
- Tremors
- Elevated or abnormal heart rate
- Seizures
- Collapse and death
If you believe your dog has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-213-6680) for advice
How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Chocolate
The simplest way to prevent your dog from eating chocolate is by putting it away, teaching your dog to understand “leave it” command, and crate training.
Ensure that all chocolate products, including cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix, are kept out of the dog's reach, preferably on a high shelf in a pantry with closed doors. Remind your kids and visitors that they shouldn't leave chocolate on tables, counters, or in handbags where it may be accessed by dogs. Remember this around the holidays as well, making sure to store things like trick-or-treat bags, Easter baskets, Valentine's Day chocolates, Christmas stockings, and Hanukkah coins (gelt), for instance, out of reach of dogs.
