Chocolate and Dogs: A Deadly Combination
Chocolate in large quantities is harmful to dogs as it contains a substance called theobromine that is harmless to humans but can be deadly to dogs. Theobromine is only found in cocoa, so a bar of milk chocolate contains much less theobromine than a bar of pure chocolate.
A small amount of theobromine will not cause harm to your dog, but a large amount can even cause death. For instance, between 2 and 5 grams of pure chocolate per kilo of dog weight would be enough to start intoxicating.
Therefore, whether or not a dog has a reaction after eating chocolate depends on three things:
- The kind of chocolate.
- The amount of chocolate your dog ate.
- The weight of your dog.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
The first sign your dog may show if it has consumed too much chocolate is severe hyperactivity. Two to four hours after ingestion, your dog may have a fever, vomit and diarrhea, urinate in large amounts, and see its heart rate increase. Your dog would also be nervous and agitated. Consequently, heart problems and convulsions can occur. If you notice that your dog has a high pulse, it may be serious poisoning.
Steps to Treat Your Dog After Eating Chocolate
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Act quickly. If your dog has eaten chocolate, it is extremely important that you don’t hesitate. It takes about two hours for food to pass from the stomach to the intestine. The sooner you act, the less likely it is that chocolate will have an adverse effect on your dog.
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Talk to a pet expert or your veterinarian. They would want to know your dog’s weight, how much your dog has eaten and how long the chocolate has been in its digestive system. Any additional information as age or other pathologies would help.
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Induce vomiting. The first thing most pet experts recommend in this situation is to make the dog drink a concoction that will make your dog vomit. They advise this because the best way to prevent a lethal amount of theobromine from entering the bloodstream is to empty the contents of the animal's stomach.
The best way to make your dog vomit is to swallow a mixture that contains equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Once its stomach is empty, keep an eye on your dog. You should not be alarmed if it has diarrhea or is restless. However, if your dog doesn't seem to be getting better or starts having seizures, you should take it to the vet right away.
Conclusion
Although chocolate can cause death to your dog, it depends on different factors. Nevertheless, you should act quickly and contact an expert to guide you on how to proceed in your particular case. Talk to one of our Pet Experts and get customized advice by submitting a request on our Mavyn website.