While dogs love chocolate just like people, it's important to know that chocolate is fatal for dogs. It can make them extremely ill if ingested in large quantities. Remember, no matter how much your dog begs for a piece of chocolate, dogs and chocolate don't mix. If your dog has eaten chocolate, the first rule is to take them to the vet immediately.
Reasons Why Chocolate Isn't Good for Your Dog
Chocolate contains theobromine (a substance linked to caffeine), which is dangerous for dogs because it contains caffeine. Dogs should not consume chocolate. When it comes to breaking down and metabolizing theobromine, dogs don't do it the same way we do.
Theobromine has been shown to have significant effects on the digestive system, heart, central nervous system, and kidneys of dogs.
Symptoms include:
- Vomiting (which may contain blood)
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- Breathing quickly
- Muscle tension
- Incoordination
- Increased heart rate
- Epileptic seizures
The amount of chocolate ingested and the size of the dog breed are both factors that influence the severity of the effects and signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs.
Accidentally swallowing chocolate
Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog has ingested chocolate. If it's outside of office hours, contact your nearest veterinarian for assistance.
We hope our chocolate toxicity calculator can be helpful in detecting whether your dog has ingested a potentially harmful dose of chocolate.
Your dog's weight, the type of chocolate they ate, the amount of chocolate your dog ate, and the time they ate it are all critical considerations.
If you can do so safely, take the packaging to the vet. This will help the vet determine whether or not your dog has eaten a dangerous amount of chocolate. And how to treat it, depending on the information you provide.
Toxic amount of chocolate for dogs
According to research, dogs become ill when given daily doses of theobromine in the range of 100-150 milligrams per kg.
Imagine yourself in the following situation. A Labrador weighing 30 kg can even die from 3000 mg of theobromine. So be careful not to give him too much. It's possible to determine whether or not your dog has ingested a dangerous amount of chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to dogs when they eat chocolate?
The heart, central nervous system, and kidneys are the organs most affected by chocolate poisoning. After your dog consumes chocolate, they will most likely show symptoms between four and twenty-four hours after consumption.
To accurately determine how much chocolate your dog has consumed, it is necessary to determine how much chocolate he has consumed.
The amount of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate depends on the growing conditions, suppliers of cocoa beans, and the type of chocolate your dog consumes.
If you are concerned about your pet, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek advice from your vet.
Can dogs eat chocolate without getting sick?
While it's not recommended to feed your dog chocolate, you should determine how much weight your dog is carrying if he has managed to eat chocolate.
Then try to determine if they've ingested a potentially harmful dose. You can use our chocolate calculator to your advantage.
How Dangerous is Chocolate for Your Dog?
Chocolate consumption by dogs can cause them to become ill, although it is rarely fatal.
The Veterinary Poisons Information Service has reported that only five dogs have died from chocolate poisoning in their database, out of 1,000 cases of chocolate toxicity in dogs recorded in their database.
However, a significant proportion of cases of chocolate poisoning in dogs may go undetected due to ineffective detection procedures, which has raised concerns among some experts.
Because chocolate powder, also called dehydrated cocoa powder, contains as much as 26 milligrams of theobromine per gram of weight, it is very dangerous for dogs if they ingest it.
Even at trace levels, your dog's ingestion of 10kg of cocoa powder can lead to epileptic seizures, even in small amounts.
My dog drank a cup of hot chocolate. Is that dangerous?
Theobromine levels in popular types of chocolate milk are often comparable to or lower than those in milk chocolate after consumption.
To experience adverse effects from drinking chocolate, a 10kg dog would have to consume up to 130g of the substance.
What is the truth about chocolate poisoning in dogs?
It has been hypothesized that certain dogs have a hereditary tendency to theobromine poisoning, which would explain their sensitivity to the stimulant theobromine.
Some people report no clinical symptoms after eating chocolate, while others describe serious symptoms such as seizures and abnormal heart rhythms as a result of swallowing the chocolate.
The chemical in chocolate affects dogs, but what exactly is it?
Theobromine, a toxic chemical found in chocolate, is known to have been used in human medicine for a variety of purposes, including as a heart stimulant and a muscle relaxant.
In addition, it has diuretic properties, which cause frequent bowel movements. Due to the dilation of blood vessels, the manufacturer claims it can cause potentially fatal overstimulation of the cardiopulmonary system. Illness, diarrhea, and kidney problems can occur in dogs that cannot efficiently absorb theobromine from their food.
What to do after your dog has eaten chocolate?
If you have any reason to believe your dog has ingested harmful amounts of chocolate, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Several factors contribute to this being the most straightforward approach. Here are a few:
Talking to a vet can, first and foremost, give you the peace of mind you need.
Secondly, it's always better to take action as soon as possible rather than wait, especially when it comes to health issues. Therefore, it's best to observe your pet's condition before calling a vet. This way, you can increase the chances of a full recovery from their chocolate consumption.
The third option is to consult a veterinarian, who can help you determine your options.
If your dog is in an emergency, they may need immediate veterinary attention. Your vet can also advise you to keep a close eye on them and monitor their symptoms.
In any case, in this case it is a smart option to ask for the opinion of a professional.
