Dog owners, like yourself, are always vigilant about what your pets should and should not eat. However, our dogs are curious creatures, and their sniffing around on the floor for something proves that. You may have a dog that may eat something random on the floor or even snatch something out of your hands while you’re eating. Yet, what if they eat something they shouldn’t, like chocolate?
Yes, it’s been widely known that chocolate may be harmful to dogs, even to the point where it might be fatal. However, you’re probably thinking, “My dog ate chocolate but is acting fine.” So, is the whole “chocolate is dangerous for dogs” thing a myth, or has it been overblown the whole time? We’ll answer this question, as well as discuss how to take action if your furry four-legged pooch decides to indulge in a bit of chocolate.
What Makes Chocolate Such a Concern For Dogs?
Chocolate has long been one of the more popular treats for us humans. Like anything else we enjoy (be it a meal or a snack), it’s not always good for dogs. What exactly makes chocolate such a concern for dogs? It comes down to an ingredient known as “theobromine.”
Theobromine is found in cocoa and is often metabolized slowly in dogs compared to humans. As a result, it can cause a great deal of stress on their system. How much stress is dependent on how much they eat. Keep in mind that different types of chocolate are not created equal when it comes to the amount of theobromine present. The types with the higher concentrations include dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder. However, milk chocolate and white chocolate will have less of the compound.
You may be wondering, “My dog ate chocolate but is acting fine.” Please note that reactions to chocolate in dogs are not going to be immediate, but rather several hours. This means you could have enough time to consult with your vet as a precaution.
How Much Chocolate Is too Much?
What exactly is considered “too much” chocolate for dogs? This is where things can get a bit tricky. The answer is that several factors can come into play, where too much can be too much. These factors include:
- The size and weight of your dog
- Type of chocolate (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa beans, etc.)
- Amount eaten (how many chocolate chip cookies, squares, chocolate pieces, etc.)
Of course, a Chihuahua eating a square of dark chocolate will be much different compared to a Great Dane eating a chocolate chip cookie. Yet, what you’ll want to understand is that it can come down to knowing how much they have eaten and the type of chocolate it is to determine the possible impact. A chocolate toxicity calculator can help determine if your dog is in a dangerous situation. However, if in doubt, a vet can assist you.
What If My Dog Ate Chocolate but Is Acting Fine?
Your dog won’t always show immediate signs of distress. If anything, they may appear normal for hours, leading to the assumption that they may have dodged a bullet. Your pup may appear OK on the surface, but this may not always be the case, considering their ability to hide discomfort. Once again, it never hurts to consider a vet consultation right away to determine what could be your best option.
If they are their usual selves, full of energy and wagging their tail, it doesn’t indicate an all clear. At this point, you still need to keep them under watchful observation.
What Exactly Are the Common Clinical Signs of Chocolate Poisoning to Watch For?
Now you’ve entered “monitoring mode” with the intent to spot any common adverse signs that your dog did eat chocolate (and enough of it to warrant a possible vet intervention). The next 6 to 12 hours will be the most crucial. You’ll notice potential signs of poisoning or discomfort that include:
- Digestive upset (diarrhea, loose stools, or vomiting)
- Restlessness or hyperactivity
- Increased thirst
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Increased heart rate (since some chocolates can contain caffeine)
- Other unusual behavior changes
Keep in mind that each dog is different, and the reactions do vary. Still, monitoring them for a lengthy period is better than nothing. It will give you a chance to keep your eyes peeled on what to look out for and know what to do the moment you spot any possible signs of discomfort or distress. An emergency vet may be the best answer, especially if a chocolate poisoning situation is more serious.
How to Calmly Assess the Situation As a Pet Parent
One thing to do if your pets are in trouble is to remain calm. It’s natural to panic; however, staying calm allows you to clearly think about what actions to take next. If your dog did get into chocolate, it’s important to take the necessary steps as soon as possible, such as:
- Assess the situation, such as how much chocolate your dog ate and the type it was.
- What is the size of your dog? Smaller dogs are often at risk compared to larger sizes.
- Look out for any changes over the next several hours.
- If in doubt, you can always consult with your veterinarian or pet poison helpline for additional guidance.
Simply put, staying calm can allow you to keep a clear head and remain vigilant for any signs of discomfort or other concerns. Please note that even reaching out to a veterinarian is never a bad idea if you’re worried about what could happen next. However, if your dog is older or has underlying health issues, like certain heart conditions, it increases those worries and concerns. If this is the case, get them to the vet as soon as possible so that treatment can be done accordingly.
What Can a Vet Do in the Event of Treatment?
If you do end up taking your dog to the vet after they ate chocolate, a procedure can be done to ensure your dog doesn’t experience possible symptoms. For example, your dog may need to go to the vet within the first two hours of consuming chocolate so that vomiting can be induced with activated charcoal that is formulated to remove toxins without affecting the bloodstream.
However, severe cases may require supplemental treatment, like intravenous fluids or medications, to ensure poisoning doesn’t get worse. If your dog suffers from seizures, which may be a serious side effect, overnight monitoring is likely. Regardless, acting immediately with a vet consultation and bringing them to the clinic is not the worst possible option.
What Kind of Preventive Measures Can You Take to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Chocolate?
If your dog has a habit of getting into things and may be at risk of going after chocolate, taking preventative measures is possible. The more proactive you are at implementing these, the better. Here’s a look at what you can do to keep your dog away from chocolate:
Keep It Out of Reach
Of course, this may be one of the best preventative steps to take. All chocolate items, including cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix, boxes or chocolates, and so on, need to be in areas where a dog can’t reach. These include a higher shelf in closed-door pantries. In addition, remind anyone who is in your household (be it family members or guests) to make sure any chocolate is stored away in places where a dog isn’t able to access it.
Never leave it on countertops, tables, or purses. Even on certain holidays like Christmas, Easter, or Halloween, it is important to make sure chocolate isn’t accessible to dogs at all.
Train Them
It only takes two words for your dog to learn what to eat and what not to eat. Those words are “leave it.” The more they learn those words and abide by them, the better. This way, if you watch them going after something they shouldn’t, just say “leave it” and that’s it.
Consider Something Safer and Healthier
If you’re snacking on something, it could be something that is much safer and healthier for dogs. There may be different kinds of healthier snacks that both you and your dog can enjoy. However, just know you may need to take some necessary precautions to ensure you are not unintentionally endangering your dog. For example, if you and your dog love carrots, make sure they are chopped up small enough that your dog can easily eat them while also getting excellent health benefits out of them.
Chocolate and Dogs: Prevention Is the Best Protection
A dog eating chocolate can lead to health concerns. However, you’ll want to remain calm and take the necessary steps if and when possible. Observe them over the next several hours for any noticeable symptoms. Taking them to the vet as soon as possible can be warranted if you’ve determined your dog has eaten an amount of chocolate that may seem a bit dangerous. Under the Weather always reminds pet parents like you that your dog’s health is important. Be sure to take the necessary preventative measures above to ensure your dog is not getting into chocolate, so you can have peace of mind knowing they’ll be OK.
