07 Jan 2025 Dog ate chocolate
What to Do If Your Dog Ate Chocolate: A Guide for Pet Owners
According to data from the Animal Poison Helpline, chocolate ingestion is one of the most common reasons why pet owners seek assistance from the service. In 2024, chocolate exposures accounted for over 5% of all calls to the Animal Poison Helpline.
Dogs and other small animals that eat chocolate can develop a range of clinical signs. The risks are highly dependent on the type of chocolate ingested, the quantity ingested and the size of your animal. If your dog has eaten chocolate, you should seek expert advice from the Animal Poison Helpline promptly on (917) 722-5958 to determine if urgent action is required. In many cases, early treatment can prevent your pet from becoming unwell
Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?
Chocolate contains methylxanthines, primarily theobromine but also small quantities of caffeine, which are both toxic to dogs and other small animals. Dogs metabolize theobromine much slower than humans, which is why it is dangerous for them. The type of chocolate, quantity ingested, and size of your dog all influence the risk and severity of poisoning following chocolate ingestion. Chocolate may also sometimes contain other food items that are hazards for pets, such as raisins and macadamia nuts.
What are the signs of chocolate poisoning in a dog?
If your dog eats chocolate, signs of poisoning can be delayed up to 6 or even 12 hours. Dogs tend to eat chocolate quickly and it may coalesce in the stomach to form a mass which is then slowly and progressively absorbed. Nick Merwood, a Clinical Toxicology Pharmacist from the Animal Poison Helpline, states that chocolate also slows down gastric emptying in dogs contributing to a delayed onset in clinical signs.
Following ingestion, signs can vary from mild (such as transient vomiting, diarrhoea and increased thirst) to severe (seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias and rarely, death). Early signs of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhoea and increased thirst. If enough chocolate has been ingested, as the poisoning progresses affected animals may become restless, begin panting and become hyperactive. They can develop tremors and an increased heart rate. In severe cases, affected dogs may develop seizures and changes to the electrical activity in their heart.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Chocolate? 4 essential steps
- Access the situation
- Identify the type of chocolate your dog has eaten (dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate) and the quantity. Dark chocolate (and cocoa powder) contain the most theobromine and are considered the most dangerous.
- Contact the Animal Poison Helpline
- The Animal Poison Helpline can be reached on (917) 722-5958. The Poisons Information Consultant will ask you precise details about your dog’s weight, the kind and quantity of chocolate eaten, the time since ingestion and any signs that you may be noticing in your dog. The Animal Poison Helpline is open 24 hours a day.
- Follow Professional Advice
- The Animal Poison Helpline will advise you on what to do next. Such recommendations may include simply observing your dog at home for signs of illness, inducing vomiting (only if directed to do so), or taking your dog to a veterinarian straight away.
- Monitor Your Dog Closely.
- Continue to monitor your dog for progressive signs of illness, even after calling the Animal Poison Helpline.
How to Prevent Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs
Dogs are highly attracted to sweet foods such as chocolate. Here’s how you can protect them:
- Store Chocolate Securely
- Make sure chocolate based food items, such as baked goods, candy and cocoa powder, are stored securely and out of your dog’s reach. Don’t forget that dog’s may go to strenuous effort to access chocolate food items when given the chance to do so.
- Educate Family Members
- Ensure that everyone in your house is aware that dogs can’t eat chocolate.
- Be Cautious During Holidays
- Chocolate poisoning is more prevalent over certain holiday periods such as Easter, Christmas and Halloween. Be cautious over these periods, particularly with visiting guests or when taking your dog to a friend’s or family member’s house.
- Provide Pet-Safe Alternatives
- Reward your dog’s good behaviour with pet-safe treats, which will satisfy their cravings without the added risk.
Veterinary Treatment May Be Required
Although calling the Animal Poison Helpline is an important first step, in some cases you may need to visit a veterinary clinic for further treatment for your dog. Immediate veterinary attention will be required if;
- The ingested quantity of chocolate is anticipated to result in serious effects.
- Your dog is experiencing severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
- Your dog is experiencing agitation, tremors or seizures.
- If otherwise recommended by the Animal Poison Helpline.
In these cases, the treatment provided by your veterinarian will be dependent on a number of factors, such as the amount and type of chocolate ingested, the size of your pet, underlying medical conditions, the time since ingestion and the presence of any clinical signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I don’t know how much chocolate my dog ate?
- Contact the Animal Poison Helpline on (917) 722-5958 and provide as much details about the situation as you can. The Poisons Information Consultant will assess the case and determine the most appropriate action based on a ‘worst case scenario.
- Is white chocolate poisonous for dogs?
- White chocolate contains negligible theobromine and is unlikely to result in true chocolate poisoning. Ingestion of white chocolate can however result in gastrointestinal upset (and potentially pancreatitis).
- Are small quantities of chocolate harmful to a larger dog?
- Small amounts of chocolate may be tolerated better by large dogs than by small breeds, however the absolute risk is dependent on the quantity of theobromine in the chocolate that has been ingested, the size of your dog and any underlying health history.
- Are cats also at risk of developing chocolate poisoning?
- Yes, cats can also be at risk of becoming sick from eating chocolate. Cats however generally have far more dietary discretion than dogs and cases involving cats being poisoned by chocolate are far less common.
How To Contact The Animal Poison Helpline
If your dog has eaten chocolate, seeking expert advice is recommended. Pet owners can phone the Animal Poison Helpline 24/7 by dialling (917) 722-5958 .