Chocolate contains caffeine and the chemical compound ‘theobromine’, which are toxic to pets. This is because cats’ and dogs’ digestive systems can’t break them down in the same way as humans. The chemicals build up and can cause organ disease and failure if not treated properly. Find out what to do if your pet eats chocolate. Show
What symptoms will I see?Symptoms will occur from four to 24 hours after your pet has eaten chocolate and will vary depending on the amount and type of chocolate your pet has eaten. Dr Adam Sternberg, a Regional Clinical Director of Greencross Vets, says theobromine mainly affects the heart, central nervous system, and kidneys. Some dogs may have upset tummies such as vomiting and or diarrhoea. ‘Theobromine is a toxin that can be linked to hyperactivity,’ he says. ‘Affected pets can have tremors, seizure, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Ingestion can be fatal in severe cases. If your pet eats chocolate, take them to the vet immediately.’ Please also ensure you bring the packet or take note of the type of chocolate. Other symptoms include:
How much chocolate is too much?You should not give any chocolate to your pet, though sometimes pets can obtain chocolate without you knowing. Some chocolates contain more theobromine than others. Here is a guide to which chocolate types contain the most theobromine in order of most to least:
What to do if your pet eats chocolateBring them to the vet. There is no antidote for theobromine poisoning. In most cases, your vet will make your dog vomit given the right time frame from ingestion. They may wash out the stomach and feed activated charcoal, which will absorb any theobromine left in the stomach and or intestines. Other treatments will depend on the signs your dog is showing. They may need intravenous fluids (a drip), or medication to control heart rate and seizure activity. Dr Sternberg also indicates it might not just be theobromine that’s causing issues. ‘There are also a whole lot of other ingredients in chocolate your pet could be reacting to,’ he says. With prompt intervention and treatment, even in dogs that have eaten large amounts of chocolate, the prognosis for a poisoned dog is usually good. If you are concerned that your pet may have consumed chocolate, contact your nearest Greencross Vets for treatment. If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, or they have any of these symptoms, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian or emergency vet right away:
Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit! COMMON CHOCOLATE SOURCES:Ice Cream Rich Chocolate KIT KAT Wafer Bar Peanut M&M's REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk) Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding Doughnut, cake-type, chocolate, sugared or glazed Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies , made with margarine Hershey's Chocolate Syrup Milky Way Hershey's KISSES (Milk Chocolate) Generic Hot Fudge Sundae Topping Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Bar REESE'S PIECES Candy Cookies, brownies, commercially prepared aThe amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety. Foods Highest in TheobromineCocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali [Dutch cocoa]1 cup (86g)2266 mg67.1 mgBaking chocolate, unsweetened, squares1 cup, grated (132g)1712 mg106 mgCocoa, dry powder, unsweetened1 cup (86g)1769 mg198 mgBaking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid1 oz (28g)447 mg13.2 mgPuddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix1 Package (40g)238 mg7.2 mgDesserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix1 Package, 2 oz (57g)242 mg7.4 mgPuddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, instant, dry mix1 Package, 1.4oz box (40g)189 mg5.6 mgSyrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup2 tbsp (35g)68.3 mg2.1 mgCocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali1 oz (28g)685 mg20.2 mgCandies, chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solidsI bar (101g)810 mg80.8 mgCocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain1 Tbsp (5g)92.6 mg10.3mg What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger. For instance, 8 ounces (a ½ pound) of milk chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, whereas a dog of the same size can be poisoned by as little as 1 ounce of Baker's chocolate! Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans?Humans can break down and excrete methylxanthines such as theobromine much more efficiently than dogs. How much chocolate will hurt a dog?Dark Chocolate: Use a scale of 1.5 ounces per 10 pounds of body weight. That's 3 ounces for a 20 pound dog. If they've ingested that much or more, it's time to call your vet. Milk Chocolate or Semi-sweet: A poisonous amount would be anything over 3.5 ounces- a standard size Hershey's bar- for a small 10 pound dog.
How long does it take for a dog to get sick after eating chocolate?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.
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What can happen if a dog eats chocolate
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