Get a vet's opinion — for free. The amount of chocolate consumed can make an impact on the outcome, of course. You should also have detailed notes about how much chocolate you think your pet ate before you talk to a vet.
This can help them get a better idea of what the situation at hand is. Methylxanthine content is partially responsible for the toxicity of chocolate. While this is true, theobromine is also something to take into account. Theobromine is one of the toxic components of chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more caffeine, and theobromine are present. For example, baker's chocolate is more dangerous compared with milk chocolate. Ultimately, if you have any questions about how much chocolate is toxic for your pet, you should reach out to a vet and get their input.
Not only will a vet be able to help give you ways that you can treat your dog, but they will also provide you with a clearer understanding of how much chocolate is toxic for your individual dog.
In addition to contacting your vet, you can use a chocolate toxicity calculator to determine how much danger your pet is in. If you think that your dog ingested a dangerous amount of chocolate, we urge you not to panic until you talk to the vet. As a general rule of thumb, you should take into account several factors while attempting to determine if your pet ate a toxic amount of chocolate.
However, says Jones, a six-pound Yorkie who ingests half a Hershey bar, is in serious trouble. If you suspect your dog ate chocolate, you might be wondering what symptoms you should keep an eye out for. Knowing what to monitor will help you act faster if symptoms arise. As with humans, the symptoms of a food reaction will vary between pets. Chocolate toxicity can be fatal without appropriate veterinary care. If you know that your pet ate chocolate, your best bet is to reach out to a vet as soon as you can.
This increases the odds that your pet will be alright. If your dog ate an unknown amount of chocolate; is exhibiting symptoms; is pregnant theobromine can cross the placenta and affect the puppy ; or has other health complications, you should take them to a vet right away.
Symptoms may not develop until up to two hours after ingestion, but veterinarian anti-chocolate treatments are most effective if performed as soon as possible after ingestion. And what exactly do they do to cure a dog of theobromine poisoning? Gastric decontamination. The first step is to empty the stomach if the ingestion was recent enough.
This is often done with a drug called apomorphine which is administered through the eye so that it is quickly absorbed. In some cases, repeat administrations of charcoal are necessary, but in others, just one dose will do it.
Beyond these steps, a theobromine-poisoned dog will just be given medicines to manage their specific symptoms, such as Diazepam for seizures or hyperexcitability, beta blockers for high heart rate, Atropine for low heart rate or others.
Why is that? Dogs are known for eating just about anything they can find including joint butts, a practice that places them at risk for cannabis poisoning , whereas cats tend to be picky eaters. In part this is explained by the fact that cats lack the ability to taste glucose. We're hiring! Why is Chocolate Toxic in Dogs?
Theobromine is Dangerous for Dogs The other cause of toxicity in dogs from chocolate is theobromine. Signs of chocolate toxicity in dogs include: Vomiting and Diarrhea These two problems are the earliest signs of chocolate toxicity in dogs.
However, in severe cases, these symptoms may progress further to the others on the list below. Excessive Thirst and Urination Since both theobromine and caffeine are diuretics, dogs may show both excessive thirst and urination when they have ingested too much of either of these substances. Restlessness Caffeine, in particular, may cause dogs to behave restlessly.
High Heart Rate An elevated heart rate is a dangerous symptom that could lead to cardiac arrest, especially in older dogs or those with underlying conditions. Seizures Seizures are one of the most severe symptoms of extreme chocolate toxicity in dogs.
Take your dog to the vet right away if he shows this symptom after eating chocolate. How to Respond to Signs of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs Depending on the symptoms you notice in your dog after he eats chocolate, you may need to respond in different ways. Contact If you know your pet has ingested chocolate, please contact the emergency vet right away. Educate Friends and Family Kids are notorious for giving handouts to pets. Avoid Using Cocoa Shell Mulch A rare but nonetheless dangerous source of chocolate toxicity in dogs is cocoa shell mulch.
Always avoid using cocoa shell mulch for your landscaping. Nicole Jones. Read More. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Oct 27, 3 Minutes. Key Points. Why Chocolate Is Toxic to Dogs. How to Crate Train Your Dog Are you thinking about crate training your puppy but aren't sure how to get started?
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