A quick search online showed us that many furbaby owners are asking about chocolate toxicity in dogs.
The searches are worded differently:
- Is chocolate bad for dogs
- Does chocolate harm dogs
- What to do if my dog eats chocolate
and so on.
These questions tell us that furbaby owners have the best interests of their best friends at heart. For that reason, we decided to share some information about dogs and chocolate.
The Short Answer
To answer the question as quickly as possible – chocolate is extremely toxic to your pets (not only dogs – also cats, birds, rodents, rabbits, and snakes for example).
What Make Chocolate Toxic to Pets?
The reason chocolate is so toxic to pets is that it contains something called theobromine.
Theobromine has stimulating effects, no different from caffeine.
Whilst human beings can metabolize theobromine quickly, animals cannot. Even small amounts of chocolate are toxic to dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits.
To clarify – theobromine is extremely toxic to pets and is potentially fatal. That is correct, it can cause death. Please take this seriously.
What To Do If Your Pet Eats Chocolate
In the event that your beloved furbaby discovers and devours your precious chocolate stash – contact the vet as soon as possible!
Phone the vet on their emergency number, do not wait until they are open.
If the chocolate ingestion is caught early enough, a vet can induce vomiting and may even treat your furbaby with activated charcoal.
The activated charcoal would absorb the remaining theobromine and reduce the amount of toxins that get into the bloodstream.
NB DO NOT TRY THIS YOURSELF! IT IS VITAL THAT A VET TREATS YOUR PETS!
Symptoms To Look Out For If You Think Your Furbaby May Have Eaten Chocolate
Perhaps you’re in a situation where you think your furry friend has eaten the chocolate but you’re not absolutely certain. Here are some warning signs to look out for:
- Extreme thirst
- Diarrhea
- Overactive behaviour (more than normal)
- Pacing
- Panting
- Shaking
- Seizures
How Long Does It Take For Symptoms To Show
The symptoms listed above can take between 6 to 12 hours to present. If you think your furbaby has eaten chocolate – do not wait for the symptoms, rather go directly to the vet.
What To Do If You Cannot Get To The Vet
I found a great website online where you can get help in minutes, it is called JustAnswer.com
Affiliate Disclosure: We are affiliates for JustAnswer.com and may earn a small commission if you sign up with them through our link, the cost to you does not increase. This is how we fund the Taylored Pets website.
There is a fee for the assistance, I tested it out a short while ago and all they wanted was R15.00 (that is South African Rand). This is very cost-effective!
How Long Does The Chocolate Remain In The Body
According to https://pets.webmd.com The stimulants in chocolate remain in the body for a long time. In fact, they say, in severe cases, you can expect the symptoms to last up to 72 hours!
Early treatment is always the best approach for your furbaby and for your pocket!
“But I Always Give Fido Some Chocolate”
We have had clients who tell us that they feed their furbabies chocolate and there has been no reaction.
Please do not test the theory with your pets. The science is clear that chocolate is toxic for pets – even in very small amounts.
The pet owners who have not ended up at the vet (or worse) after feeding their pets chocolate have been extremely lucky.
Please do not do this. If you have in the past, please stop doing it from today onwards. No matter how lovingly those eyes beseech you.
There are loads of safe treats available, please make sure you only give those to your pets.
If you have any questions, please pop in the comments section below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Love
Louise and Beth
🤍🐾🤍🐾
Chocolates are a real treat for us but for dogs, it is a big no-no because of the negative effect they can have on dogs, Thank you so much for sounding the alarm and for providing us with this helpful information which we can put into practice. Dogs should not eat what we eat because their system is different from ours and therefore we should give them what is best for them. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Norman
Absolutely! It is amazing how many pet lovers just are not aware of the dangers when “treating” their furbabies with human food.
Our pleasure to share, always.
Much puppy love
Louise & Beth 🤍🐾🤍🐾
I have a dog, Zeus, for whom I make homemade dog treats. I avoid giving him chocolates at all costs as a dog I had once upon a time, Princess was put down due to a level 3 heart murmur, plus other conditions that had a connection to her eating chocolate, as well as other foods she never should eat. I had Princess when I was 14 and didn’t know any better.
With Zeus, whom I’ve had for 6 years is fit and healthy, something of which I saw to as I don’t want him anywhere near anything commercialized, nor toxic.
Hi Milly
We do better when we know better – so glad that you are able to make healthy homemade dog treats for your Zeus (what a beautiful name)
Much puppy love
Louise & Beth 🤍🐾🤍🐾
Wow, thank you for this knowledge Louise&beth.
Although my baby now is 11 y I have had no idea that the chocolate is toxic for his small pure sensitive body and theobromine is really deadly to him. Thank you for this, really appreciated it.
Our pleasure to share. Thank you for your visit!
When we are in CT, we will be sure to pop in for a visit.
Much puppy love
Louise & Beth 🤍🐾🤍🐾
Great informational post on chocolate and your pets. I totally agree with you however I have never known about administering Charcoal. This is great advice, especially if you are miles away from the nearest vet and you have to administer the dose yourself. If my dog was to steal some chocolate how much charcoal would I need to give to help my dog?
Thank you for your advice.
Hi Yvonne
Glad to know this post has shared something new for you.
According to pets.webmd.com the dog will usually vomit on their own. If not, the vet would probably administer hydrogen peroxide (1 tablespoon for every 20 pounds). I think it’s important to note that they also speak about the vet treating the furbaby, not a home treatment. I will do some more research, even speak to local vets, about how to manage this situation in a remote setting. Once I have that advice to hand, I shall add it to this post.
Thank you for asking.
Much puppy love
Louise & Beth 🤍🐾🤍🐾
Hi Yvonne
We found a way that you can get some advice if you’re remotely situated. There is an online platform called getanswers.com and they facilitate advice from qualified veterinarians online for a very low fee. We have also added this information into the article itself.
Thank you for asking the question and allowing us the opportunity to do some research.
🤎🐾🤎🐾
Although I have been aware of this for quite some time I appreciate you sharing this and educating many others on this important topic. Our pets are to be treasured, appreciated and cared for. Thanks for this valuable information. All the Best.
Hi Joseph
It’s amazing how many pet owners are not aware of the dangers of chocolates for their precious furbabies. I will also be writing about the dangers of bones and rawhide products. When we pet and house sit our clients often leave rawhide treats for us to give their pets – which we never do. We do everything we can to keep their furbabies healthy and safe, their food and treats play a huge role, of course.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave your feedback.
Much puppy love
Louise & Beth 🤍🐾🤍🐾