What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate?
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate? Perhaps the most urgent and unsettling calls I get are: “My dog ate chocolate!” You can hear the sheer panic in the owners voice and it is perfectly justified, chocolate IS poisonous for dogs and is by far the most common type of poisoning that we encounter in the vet clinic .
But first of all, some very good news. If treated promptly and properly, the prognosis for a dog that has eaten chocolate is usually very good . What you’re going to read next is how to respond. This post is the last you’ll ever want, it’s the “go-to” of posts that saves your dog when they consume too much chocolate! It is designed to be as informative as possible while providing a step-by-step on how to react and respond in the scenario of your canine consuming chocolate.”.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate? Why is Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?
But cocoa beans contain two substances which are the concern theobromine and caffeine. The two chemicals are from the family methylxanthines. Humans have no trouble breaking down and getting rid of the compounds, whereas, dogs metabolize them extremely slowly. The long delay means the toxins will increase in levels in the body, and start to over stimulate their brain and heart.
The Type of Chocolate Matters
Chocolate type vs toxicity: It is said that the darker the chocolate, the higher the potential toxicity of it, as these chocolate contain a much higher amount of cocoa solid and theobromine. Some general toxicity order from most dangerous to the safest could be: Cocoa Powder – Most Toxic; Baking (Unsweetened) Chocolate; Dark or Semi-Sweet Chocolate; Milk Chocolate; White Chocolate – Least Toxic. However white chocolate is least in theobromine levels it has a lot of sugar and fats and it’s not safe for dogs either, due to the risk of pancreatitis or gastrointestinal upset .
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate: An Action Plan
Don’t wait. If you see your dog eating chocolate, or have discovered proof of it, then take the following actions:
Step 1: Stay Calm and Gather Critical Information
When you arrive at the vet the following 4 things will need to be given to them, make a note now of: What type of chocolate did your dog eat? (i.e. A bar of milk chocolate, bag of chocolate chips, bar of dark chocolate) Keep all packaging.
- How much was consumed?
- When did they consume it?
- (Essential in determining whether to induce vomiting or not) What is your dog’s body weight?
- (Essential factor when determining risk)
Also Check: How to Use Ashwagandha and Adaptogens for Dog Anxiety?
Step 2: Call Your Veterinarian or a Pet Poison Hotline Immediately
This is the most important step! Do not wait for symptoms to show. Your vet will use this information to assess your dog’s level of risk and recommend your best course of action.
He/She will either ask you to wait and observe your pet at home, bring him in for examination, or recommend emergency procedures.
In the event that your veterinarian is unavailable, call a veterinary emergency hospital or poison control hotline:
AS PCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 Veterinary’s note: Keep these phone numbers in your cell phone before the need arises!
Step 3: Follow Your Vet’s Advice on Inducing Vomiting
Never make a dog throw up in your home unless you were advised to do so by your vet . It’s natural to want to get the toxin out of their system by making them throw up, but that action may be far worse than the poisoning itself. If the dog already seems mentally dull or is shaking or seizing from the toxic substance, making the dog vomit will cause them to suck vomit into their lungs which is usually fatal.
Vets carry effective, safe medications that can safely make the dog vomit. They will give you instructions on the timing you want to administer to your dog and also, 3% hydrogen peroxide, if used at home to stimulate vomiting is to be administered with very close vet observation and instruction.
What to Expect at the Veterinary Clinic
What would my veterinarian do? Depending on how much and what kind of chocolate was eaten your veterinarian will approach this as follows: Decontamination If your dog has consumed chocolate in the past hour or two the vet will be likely to give medication to induce vomiting. The chocolate will be brought up before it is absorbed. The vet may also administer a dose of activated charcoal which bind the toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
Hospitalization and Supportive Care: The hospitalization is normally required if your dog has shown clinical signs and is generally a supportive measure as there is no antidote to chocolate poisoning. Supportive treatment may include:
- I.V. Fluids, used to maintain hydration, blood pressure and help the kidneys to flush out toxins faster.
- Heart MonitoringECG’s may be run to monitor animals for serious arrhythmias.
- Medications: anti-emetic drugs, muscle relaxants (in case the dog tremors or convulses) and anti-convulsive medications.
Signs of Chocolate Poisoning to Watch For
When symptoms of chocolate toxicity occur the typical onset for these symptoms is 2-12 hours after ingestion of the chocolate and symptoms can persist up to 72 hours or longer in the case of severe chocolate poisoning, depending upon the quantity of chocolate consumed. Common clinical signs of chocolate toxicity -mild cases: vomiting, diarrhea, increased restlessness and activity level (hyperactivity), and excessive thirst and urinating. Severe signs of chocolate poisoning include increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased rate of respiration (panting), tremors and other motor activity, seizures, coordination problems (ataxia), and sometimes collapsing, or comatose state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much chocolate is too much for my dog?
There is not a definitive answer to how much chocolate is too much because it can depend on the weight of the dog, breed and the kind of chocolate ingested. Even a little bit of milk chocolate could potentially cause gastrointestinal distress but even 1 oz of chocolate per lb body weight could prove fatal, depending on the kind of chocolate and breed.
Can a dog eat a small piece of chocolate and be okay?
Sometimes, especially a very large dog eating a bit of milk chocolate. It could simply result in a bit of tummy ache. “If the dose is low enough relative to the dog’s size and the chocolate is low on theobromine – for example, milk chocolate – he or she might have no ill effects,” Dr.
Can dogs survive chocolate poisoning without veterinary treatment?
Chocolate poisoning cannot be treated at home by the owner, Dr. Brusco emphasizes. Without intervention, even a few signs of poisoning can become life-threatening.
What are the early signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs?
In many cases, a dog’s first signs of poisoning occur six to 12 hours after the treat is consumed and can range from an elevated heart rate, to panting, restiveness, and increased thirst andurination.
How long after eating chocolate will a dog get sick?
Typically within six to 12 hours after ingesting the chocolate. Signs usually become evident at this time because that’s when the theobromine, which dogs can’t metabolize effectively, has been sufficiently absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
What should I do if my dog ate chocolate but seems fine?
Don’t wait for the dog to develop signs. Immediately call the closest emergency veterinarian or your family vet. “It’s essential to intervene early,” says veterinary toxicologist Ahna Brusco. “ induce vomiting to eliminate the toxins from the stomach is often necessary, but it can only be effectively done a couple of hours after ingestion. If the stomach already been emptied, more intensive and invasive treatment will be required.”
What will my vet do for a dog that eats chocolate?
Dogs with chocolate poisoning will be treated through a number of different methods, depending on their condition. Treatment options include; inducing the dog to vomit (either via stomach pumping procedures or with the administration of an emetic) administering activated charcoal to the dog’s stomach (to absorb the toxin), flushing the dog with IV fluid therapy or the dog may be given medications to help with any tremors or seizures.
Can I feed my dog white chocolate?
Although white chocolate does not contain the harmful components of theobromine and caffeine, the other chocolate varieties contain it also, it is not actually harmful for dogs. However white chocolate is high in fat and sugar, which can predispose a dog to developing pancreatitis, a painful condition which can cause the canine to suffer quite a bit.
Is it ever safe to induce vomiting at home?
Only if directed by a veterinarian. Vets sometimes recommend administering 3 percent hydrogen peroxide as an emetic to induce vomiting at home in dogs, but many vets prefer to administer prescription medications for this process. There are other common “remedies” for dog owners trying to induce vomiting, such as giving milk, oil or salt, but none are reliable or effective – some of these are even dangerous!
How do you treat a dog for chocolate poisoning at home?
You do not. “The ‘at-home’ treatments that many people try are not effective,” veterinary toxicologist Ahna Brusco says. “Examples include using milk to ‘flush’ toxins out or giving the dog olive oil or salts.
