Why Can’t My Dog Eat Chocolate?
The average person consumes around 2 pounds of chocolate every year and while it is a delicious treat for humans, chocolate is incredibly toxic for dogs and can even be life threatening. In this article, we look at why chocolate is toxic to dogs and investigate what to do if your dog gets ahold of that sweet treat.
Why is Chocolate toxic to dogs?
Chocolate contains two natural compounds that make it toxic to dogs. The first is called Theobromine. This compound is safe for humans because our stomachs can process it effectively. However, a dogs stomach cannot. Not being able to process Theobromine means that it can build up in the bloodstream which can lead to it being toxic.
The second compound found in chocolate is caffeine. Caffeine is not necessarily toxic but it is responsible for increased heart rate. While it may help humans get going in the morning, it can be fatal for your dog who already has a heart rate of around 120-180 beats per minute depending on the size of the dog.
A rule of thumb is that the darker the chocolate is, the more theobromine and caffeine it contains. This is important because you will need to know what form of chocolate your dog consumed to get them the best treatment. For example, Cocoa Powder is considered the most toxic form that your pet can consume while milk chocolate is considered less toxic.
What to do if your dog eats chocolate?
If your dog eats chocolate, the first step is determining how much chocolate they consumed and of what type. The next step should be to call your local veterinarian or a service like the Pet Poison Helpline (855-213-6680). Often, your veterinarian will want to know how much the dog consumed which is why it is so important to determine that early.
Depending on the consumption amount and type, your veterinarian may have you just monitor the dog for signs of chocolate toxicity. These signs may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Elevated Heart Rate
- Fainting
If your dog begins to experience any of these symptoms after eating chocolate, your veterinarian will likely recommend bringing them in to be evaluated. In some cases, they may have to induce vomiting if it is within two hours of the initial ingestion. Other treatments may require more advanced intervention.
The best form of treatment is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Put all chocolate items like cocoa powder and other forms into lockable containers in a pantry or behind a door so that your dog is not able to reach them easily.
While you may have heard stories about someone else’s dog surviving after consuming chocolate, it should not be taken lightly if your dog does so. Identify how much they ate and of what type so that you can provide your local veterinarian with the information needed to get your pet the best treatment plan
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