Why is chocolate bad for dogs?

This could be a walk to a special place or a game with a much-loved toy. Many people occasionally want to share a little treat of our favorite foods with them. We might offer a bit of a carrot or some blueberries, and our pups might even get a bit of crumbled hamburger off our plate.

We also know that our dogs can show super-speed to grab any morsel almost before it hits the floor while we are cooking. One thing to be sure to never share with your dog is chocolate. Even small amounts of chocolate can be toxic for dogs and depending on how much they eat and their size, can lead to death.

Because dogs are such indiscriminate eaters and will gobble up almost anything, they are at a higher risk for ingesting harmful substances like chocolate. Be especially wary in situations -such as during the holidays, when many chocolate desserts might be just a quick counter surf away. Be sure to clean up any spills or chocolate chips that get away while baking.

A special note for cat parents: Cats are actually more acutely affected by the harmful ingredients in chocolate, but because they are picky eaters, it is unlikely that they will consume any chocolate. Cats are known to be curious, however, and will lick a chocolate covered spoon or have a great time shredding a fancy wrapper on a box of chocolates. As a result, cat households should also be alert and keep chocolates covered and in a closed cabinet.

Why can’t dogs eat chocolate?

Chocolate contains two compounds, chemically known as methylxanthines, that are dangerous for dogs. These are caffeine and theobromine, and both dogs and cats have a very difficult time digesting them. Humans are able to eat foods and drinks with caffeine and theobromine because our systems can process and eliminate them in about a third of the time it takes a dog. Because these compounds remain in the dog’s system for so long, all of the effects are magnified. Theobromine and caffeine both work as stimulants by suppressing the receptors in our bodies that are responsible for making us feel sleepy.

Eating chocolate can affect individual dogs differently. There are a lot of stories of dogs who have eaten a chocolate that fell on the floor or who secretly scarfed down half a chocolate cake while no one was looking and were fine. This is because chocolate toxicity is directly tied to the amount of chocolate eaten per your dog’s body weight and the type of chocolate they eat. A 70-pound Labrador retriever can probably swallow a handful of unwrapped chocolates with few or no ill effects, while the same candy could be deadly for a tiny 6-pound Maltese.

In addition to the amount of chocolate per pound of body weight the dog consumes, the type of chocolate also has a great effect on how toxic it is. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, and therefore the more cacao it contains, the higher the concentration of theobromine. So cocoa beans and cocoa powder contain the highest levels, and dark chocolate, semi-sweet, milk, and finally, white chocolate have decreasing amounts.

If you know what type and how much chocolate your dog has eaten, be sure to share this information with your veterinarian right away.

Symptoms of chocolate toxicity

Theobromine and caffeine impact the animal’s gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. Ingesting theobromine and caffeine will lead to some of the same symptoms that we might feel from having too much coffee or sweets, such as hyperactivity, restlessness, and a racing heart. The build-up of theobromine and caffeine in a dog’s system, however, can lead to more severe outcomes. These include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased thirst and urination
Tremors
Seizures

These signs usually occur between 2 and 12 hours after ingesting chocolate and may persist for up to 48 hours. Mild symptoms can occur quickly, while it might take longer for more severe signs of chocolate toxicity to present. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, they can lead to serious internal damage or even death.

Puppies, older dogs, and dogs with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk for more severe responses to chocolate toxicity.

What to do if your dog eats chocolate

If you know the type and the amount of chocolate your dog has eaten, contact your veterinarian to help determine if your dog has eaten a potentially deadly amount of chocolate. If you don’t know how much chocolate they have eaten, or if your dog is displaying any concerning symptoms, your veterinarian might want to do blood tests or other follow up treatment.

Chocolates with fillings can pose other risks as they might contain different substances that are harmful to dogs such as raisins, alcohol, or dangerous nuts, such as walnuts and macadamias that are toxic to dogs on their own. Remember that chocolates with fillings generally also mean that overall, less chocolate is ingested.

Treatment for chocolate toxicity

Your veterinarian will address the most concerning symptoms that require emergency care first and will then work to speed the elimination of the chemicals from your dog’s blood stream. They might induce vomiting to remove any chocolate left in the stomach and then treat with activated charcoal to stop more theobromine or caffeine from being further absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. IV fluids might be necessary along with anti-seizure medications or medications to regulate heart rate, and the veterinarian could choose to keep the dog overnight for observation. The sooner treatment can be started, the higher the chances of your dog making a full recovery.

The bottom line

Chocolate toxicity is a dangerous outcome of your dog eating chocolate. The dog’s size, the type, and the amount of chocolate eaten all contribute to the possibility of dangerous harm that can occur. Keeping all chocolate products, including cocoa powder while baking and hot cocoa mix, a safe distance away from any curious dog noses is important, as is quickly cleaning any spills. You might need to be especially vigilant around holiday times when there can be a lot of chocolate in the house such as Halloween, Christmas and Hanukah, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Training your dog the ‘leave it’ command can come in very handy if you have a dog who tends to scarf up whatever they find.

By staying aware of what our dogs are eating and being as careful as we can around chocolate, we can help ensure that they will stay safe and healthy.

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