Dogs and Chocolate

If you combine dogs and chocolate, you are risking BIG trouble for your dog. Chocolate contains substances that can be deadly for dogs.

Every year around certain holidays, veterinarians see an increase in dogs and chocolate ingestions--resulting in accidental poisoning of the dogs. Most pet owners do not realize how serious eating chocolate is—for their dog!

Photo by Darwin Bell, San Francisco, CA

Dogs and Chocolate - The Dangers

Theobromine comes from the plant, Theobroma Cocoa, and you will find this substance in cocoa beans, chocolate, cola, tea and cocoa beans.

Photo by Tara Alton

Cornell University, Dept. of Animal Science has found that it only takes ½ ounce or less of baking chocolate per pound of body weight to cause medical problems. Even if your dog only eats small amounts of chocolate, he can end up with pancreatic problems.

Note the difference in theobromine content in various chocolates:

• white chocolate – none to minimal
• milk chocolate – 44-60 mg per ounce (For example, a 4.5 oz milk chocolate candy bar has about 240 mg of theobromine.)
• unsweetened baking chocolate – 450 mg per ounce (One (yes, “1”) oz of baking chocolate contains about 390-450 mg of theobromine.

The darker the chocolate, in general, the more theobromine. Also, higher quality chocolates, or more expensive chocolates, tend to contain more theobromine.

Dogs and Chocolate
The Symptoms of Poisoning

Photo by foeOpooey, Seattle, WA

If you suspect that your dog ate chocolate, you will need to observe her to see if she develops any symptoms. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning will vary. This will depend on how big your dog is (her weight) and the amount of chocolate that she has eaten.

If you know that your dog ate a significant amount of chocolate, then you have an emergency on your hands. You need to get your dog to the vet ASAP.

Here are some symptoms that may develop:

• vomiting – if your dog vomits, this is a good thing. The more of the poisons he expels this way, before they actually goes through his digestive system, the less his body will absorb. This is one of the first signs of chocolate poisoning. You may be told by your veterinarian to induce vomiting in your dog.
• excessive thirst and urination – He will be more thirsty than usual and will need to go out to pee more often.
• diarrhea – one of the first signs of chocolate poisoning.
• hyperactivity – This means that she will be nervous, jittery, running around more than usual. In general, noticeably more physically active.
• elevated heart rate – You won't know if this occurs. Your vet will check your dog's heart rate.
• seizures – Hopefully, you will have taken your dog to the vet before this occurs.

If your dog eats chocolate, you need to take his action very seriously!

The information above about symptoms is from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Emergency Measures
if Your Dog Ate Chocolate

• If you suspect that your dog ate chocolate, see if you can determine the amount.
• Call your vet. If he suggests doing so, induce vomiting.
• Give your dog some activated charcoal. You can use charcoal dog biscuits. The charcoal will bind to the theobromine and take it through your pet's system—fast and without getting into his body organs. It's best to do this after your pet has vomited; however, if she does not vomit, the charcoal will still be effective.
• Take your dog to the vet, if the vet feels that it is an emergency.

There may be a time when you want to talk to someone immediately about dogs and chocolate. You can reach the National Animal Poison Information Center at the University of Illinois in Urbana by calling 888-426-4435 or go to http://www.napcc.aspca.org

As dangerous as chocolate can be to dogs, it's best to prevent chocolate poisoning, rather than deal with it.

Make sure your dog does not have access to chocolate. Even the best behaved dog might sneak a taste. Dogs have a sweet tooth, and, deadly as it is, they love chocolate. Chocolate and dogs are a BAD MIX!

When you bring your groceries home from the store, put the food away immediately. Don't leave candy sitting on tables or in candy dishes. If you have a larger breed dog, don't leave chocolate on your kitchen counters.

For more information on dogs and chocolate and on other human grade foods toxic to dogs, go here . For your homemade dog treats, use carob , a safe chocolate substitute.

Dog Nutrition from Dogs and Chocolate

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