Chocolate toxicity is a common problem seen in dogs, and it often stems from accidental ingestion. While chocolate is toxic to dogs, the level of toxicity depends on the type of chocolate, how much they ate and how big the dog is.
Let's take a closer look at what happens if a dog eats chocolate and what you should do. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains theobromine and to a lesser extent, caffeine.
Humans metabolize theobromine easily, but dogs don't. Dogs process theobromine and caffeine slowly, which allows these toxic compounds to build up in their systems and cause clinical signs associated with chocolate toxicity. But when it comes to toxicity, not all chocolate is the same. What happens if a dog eats chocolate is different based on the type of chocolate they consumed.
Baker's chocolate and cocoa, for example, are considered to be the most toxic, then dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. Chocolate toxicity is so common in dogs that the Merck Veterinary Manual offers a chocolate toxicity meter that you can use to determine if your dog has consumed a toxic amount of chocolate.
If you have a medium or large dog who consumes only a small amount of chocolate, then you may only notice signs associated with an upset stomach, such as vomiting or diarrhea. But if your dog consumes a large amount of chocolate or if you have a small dog who consumes chocolate, then they may develop the following signs of chocolate toxicity:.
If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate or you see them eating chocolate, don't wait to see if they develop any signs of toxicity. Call your veterinarian immediately. The sooner a dog is treated, the higher likelihood they'll recover without incident. If your vet isn't available, call the local emergency veterinary clinic or the pet poison hotline. These professionals will walk you through what to do. It's helpful to keep or take a picture of the packaging to give to the vet, and let them know when you think your dog was eating chocolate.
Treatment often differs depending on how long the chocolate has been in the dog's body. First, the chocolate needs to be removed from your dog's system. If the chocolate has been consumed within the last hour, your vet may be able to induce vomiting to get the chocolate out of their system and avoid a hospital stay.
This is another reason not to wait on calling your veterinarian after your dog has eaten chocolate. A toxic amount of chocolate for a Chihuahua could produce little to no symptoms in a Great Dane.
In general, bitter, darker, chocolates are more dangerous to dogs, because these chocolates contain more cacao, meaning that they also contain more theobromine and caffeine. Dark chocolates contain a range of theobromine, with amounts as high as mg of theobromine per ounce.
White chocolate poses a very low risk of chocolate poisoning, with only 0. In general, the minimum toxic theobromine dose in dogs ranges from 46 to 68 mg of theobromine per pound of dog weight. Half the dogs that consume to mg of theobromine per pound of dog weight or greater can die.
There are other factors at play, including how sensitive a particular dog is to these compounds. If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, begin monitoring it carefully and reach out to your veterinarian or the ASPCA poison control center. If you know your dog has eaten chocolate, the safest thing to do is take it to the vet. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs can begin around two hours after initial consumption, though it can take as long as 24 for them to appear, and they can last as long as three days.
The first signs of poisoning include vomiting, haematemesis vomiting blood , and polydipsia abnormal thirst. Medically, other signs may include hyperexcitability, hyperirritability, tachycardia, excessive panting, and muscle twitching. Effects may progress to cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and even death in severe cases. Any long-term effects of chocolate poisoning will depend on the severity of poisoning, with dogs recovering completely in the majority of cases.
Repeated poisonings may over-stimulate the dog's central nervous system, which is potentially harmful, and the fat content of chocolate could also lead to obesity or pancreatitis if a dog eats it often. Only a veterinarian can provide proper treatment for your pet and should be the first person you consult in the event of a suspected poisoning.
The sooner theobromine is removed from an animal's system, the healthier it will be. So, if you have not already contacted your vet, that is the cue to do so. But it is always best to contact your vet as soon as you suspect your dog has consumed chocolate.
If your dog eats an amount of chocolate which you consider to be a concern for their health, seek advice from a vet as soon as possible. Some vets also have a handy chocolate toxicity calculator on their website which may provide a guide.
Where possible, try and keep any packaging to show your vet, to allow them to see the ingredients and what exactly your dog has consumed. The typical treatment for chocolate poisoning is to induce vomiting within two hours of consumption.
Obviously, chocolate should never be given to a dog as a treat. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Sign Up.
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