What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate?

Responsible for the bitter taste, theobromine is considered the primary offender in chocolate poisoning. Due to its very slow metabolism, it hijacks the dog's nervous system and can leave a lasting effect for nearly 18 hours.

On the other hand, caffeine, another active component of chocolate, can result in a dog becoming hyperactive and paranoid. Seizures, abnormal heartbeats, and even deaths are associated with extreme cases of chocolate consumption. Darker chocolates contain higher theobromine content and hence are more dangerous.

Chocolates, though a harmless delight for humans, can cause serious damage to dogs. Dog parents should never share chocolate, even with their pleading looks and eager eyes.

With the safety of their pets in mind, responsible dog owners should be cautioned with the risks associated with chocolates. And, they are also expected to be well-prepared to handle accidental ingestion without panicking.

These factors will explain why chocolate is so bad for your pet.

High Theobromine Content

Unlike humans, the digestive system of dogs can’t handle theobromine. That means the chemical will build up through time in the dog's body and manifest a variety of serious symptoms.

The exact value of theobromine, on the other hand, does change with different types of chocolates. It is normally the highest in dark chocolate types.

Caffeine

Dogs showing hyperactivity or unreasonable anxiety could be exhibiting the ill effects of caffeine. Caffeine can trigger an increased heartbeat and also might stimulate a dog's nervous system.

Though caffeine consumption in small amounts can be ignored, when consumed in large amounts, it might cause serious problems for dogs, especially those that are tiny in size.

Dark Chocolate Toxicity Over Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolates are less toxic to dogs compared with the dark ones. However, their milk and sugar content makes them also very dangerous to canines.

The fact that the dark types have a higher percentage of cocoa solids compared to white chocolate is mainly responsible for the difference.

Digestive System Damage

Vulnerable to chocolates, a dog's digestive system can suffer serious injury once it is exposed to these sweet candies. From gastrointestinal distress down to pancreatitis, even the tiniest dose can make your dog unwell and in pain.

The first symptoms can appear in about 6 to 12 hours after the poisoning, but it can also manifest as early as 30 minutes or as late as 24 hours.

From hyperactivity to diarrhea in dogs, check out for these signs to diagnose chocolate poisoning in dogs.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Restlessness
• Increased urination
• Tremors
• Elevated or abnormal heart rate
• Seizures
• Collapse and death.

For any dog owner, a mere sight of your dear pet being poisoned and likely to die is generally horrific. However this is the most definite moment in which you need to remain composed and not get yourself into a state of panic.

Monitor your dog’s activity as you apply these measures:

1. Induced Vomiting

Induced vomiting is effective in removing the toxins from the body of the dog provided the chocolate had been eaten less than 2 hours earlier. The best agent to induce forced vomiting in dogs is hydrogen peroxide owing to its bitter taste.

Give about 5 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 lbs of the weight of the animal. The maximum amount should be 45 ml even for larger breeds.

2. Oral Activated Charcoal

When the intake of chocolate by the dog is considerably big, administration of activated charcoal orally works wonders. The charcoal being interspersed with holes absorbs the toxins of chocolate while passing into the gastrointestinal tract of the dog.

However, this method is inapplicable once the toxins get dissolved into the bloodstream.

3. Antinausea Medications

These medications treat the gastrointestinal distress that eating chocolate often causes and could include diarrhea and vomiting.

Whereas such medication may alleviate some discomfort, please remember that they by no means cure chocolate poisoning and should only be employed in conjunction with a thorough care plan.

4. IV Fluids

This is a multipurpose therapeutic intervention to keep the dog constantly hydrated. IV fluids are normally used as countermeasures against diarrhea and vomiting.

Yet another major activity of these fluids is to manufacture urine. The poisonous contents of chocolates are washed out of its system as the dog urinates.

In short, a dog can safely consume no amount of chocolate. The tiniest quantity can be incredibly toxic.

Small breeds are particularly a lot more vulnerable since they have lower body weights. Online dog chocolate calculators assist in determining the possible risks after consumption of chocolate.

Though death is rare, thanks to the availability of advanced treatments, chocolate can be classified as deadly for dogs. A large number of chocolate toxicity cases can go undetected, which could lead to an underestimation of the death rate overall.

Although studies are still inconclusive, experts have shown that as low as 400 mg of theobromine per kg of the dog's weight would see a 50 percent chance of killing the dog if proper treatment is not performed.

The only definite option is not having chocolates within the house or within your dog's vicinity. But this might not always be practical, seeing how we are fond of its taste and flavor.

Minimizing access to chocolate can work in the dog’s favor. Owners may protect their pets from the potentially fatal effects of chocolate intake by being aware of the risks involved and putting good preventative measures in place.

1. Keep Chocolate Out of Reach

It is essential to keep all chocolate products including hot chocolate mix and cocoa powder, inaccessible to avoid canines accidentally consuming chocolate.

Chocolate on worktops, tables, or personal possessions should never be placed within a dog's reach. Children and guests should be constantly reminded of this.

2. Teach Them to Leave It

The command "leave it" is a very useful tool for preventing dogs from consuming harmful objects, such as chocolate. One way that dog owners can lower the chance of chocolate ingestion by far is to teach their dogs to give up an object on command.

With constant practice and positive reinforcement approaches, this command is easy to learn but highly effective. Beyond the risk of chocolate poisoning, it is crucial to teach dogs not to scavenge or eat objects that they find on the ground or in their surroundings.

3. Crate Train Your Dog

Crate training becomes a wise way to reduce the possibility of a dog consuming unsafe materials, such as chocolate, while left alone. The dog is kept in a limited and safe area by a well-sized, secure container that keeps it from accessing potentially unsafe objects.

Owners can help their pets develop a good link with the crate by making it seem cozy and welcoming by adding favorite toys, soft bedding, and occasional treats.

Through this conditioning, the dog is effectively protected from harm by choosing to willingly seek comfort in the crate when it is feeling nervous or worn out.