Delicious but dangerous: Chocolatey facts every dog owner should know
Why is chocolate bad for dogs? Most dog owners know that chocolate is a no-go, but what makes this sweet treat so unsafe for our dogs? Chocolate contains two chemicals that are toxic to both cats and dogs: caffeine and a very similar but more dangerous substance known as theobromine. After a dog eats chocolate, these two substances are quickly absorbed from the gut and affect the muscles, brain and heart.
How much chocolate is too much? The amount of caffeine and theobromine varies between chocolate products. Dark chocolate contains the most per ounce, so ingredients like cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate tend to be the most toxic. Although milk chocolate has less caffeine and theobromine than darker chocolate products, it still isn’t safe for your dog, especially if ingested in large quantities.
What about white chocolate? While white chocolate contains only a small amount of theobromine, the levels are only high enough to cause cardiac problems in dogs of any size, age or breed if ingested in large quantities. Additionally, white chocolate contains high levels of fat and sugar which can cause an upset stomach and serious illness.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning? The symptoms depend on the dose of these toxic compounds your dog gets—so in other words, they depend on how much and what type of chocolate your dog eats. Low doses cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, panting and increased thirst. As the dose increases, symptoms worsen to include racing heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, high body temperature, tremors and seizures. With really serious toxic doses, coma and even death are possible.
My dog ate chocolate—what should I do? If your dog has eaten chocolate, don’t panic. If possible, figure out the type and amount of chocolate your dog ate, then contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) right away.
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.