Chocolate and Your Pet: What to Know and What to Do
The biggest chocolate event of the year is almost upon us! Even if you’re buying your own box of chocolates this year, make sure it’s from your dog, not for your dog. Most of us know of the dangers chocolate poses for canines, and it’s not sweet!
Why Chocolate is Bad for Pets
Chocolate not only contains caffeine, which is something your pets do not need, but it also contains a compound called theobromine (found in the cocoa), which can be toxic to pets, depending on the amount consumed.
While it seems some dogs can eat a pan of brownies and not be phased by it, the potential for toxicity comes down to cocoa content consumed in relation to the size of the dog. Baking and dark chocolate contain far more theobromine, making them more dangerous than milk or white chocolate, because the cocoa content is so much greater. In fact dark chocolate is 10 times more dangerous than milk chocolate, on average!
There are many charts available to help you determine if your dog ate too much chocolate but we don’t always know exactly when, or how much they ate. However, it’s important to remember that each case and pet is unique. Just because your dog has never been poisoned by snarffling down a Hershey’s bar before, doesn’t mean he or she won’t be this time. It’s always best to call, and keep in contact with us, if you know your pet is metabolizing chocolate.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
Knowing what to look for will help you figure out if your dog’s chocolate spree is an emergency or not. The symptoms of chocolate poisoning generally show within 4 to 24 hours. Symptoms can include:
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting / Diarrhea
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
Sometimes your dog may simply throw up and be OK, but sometimes that’s just the start… Please don’t hesitate to call us for a consultation – we can help you asses the situation and advise you on what should be done next.