Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical toxic to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate has the highest amount of theobromine and, if ingested by dogs, could cause a dog chocolate emergency requiring immediate veterinary treatment. Although white chocolate contains the lowest amount of theobromine and won’t poison dogs, you should not give dogs white chocolate because it harbors unhealthy amounts of sugars and fats promoting obesity and pancreatitis.
Chocolate and Theobromine
Theobromine has stimulating and diuretic properties similar to caffeine. Dogs eating a few pieces of chocolate may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting and nervousness until theobromine is eliminated by the body. When dogs eat at least a whole chocolate bar, they usually develop the following symptoms of chocolate poisoning:
- Rapid heart beat
- Vomiting
- Severe nervousness and agitation
- Incontinence (inability to stop urinating)
- Abdominal pain
- Seizures, tremors
- Coma
If you know or suspect your dog consumed at least 3/4 of a chocolate bar, take your dog to your emergency pet clinic immediately for professional dog chocolate help involving administration of IV fluids and medications to reduce symptoms.
Veterinary Treatment for a Dog Chocolate Emergency
Since no antidote for a theobromine overdose exists for dogs, veterinarians administer supportive care by:
- Giving dogs fluids intravenously to promote elimination of theobromine through urination
- Inducing vomiting with activated charcoal
- Administering sedatives to help calm the dog’s central nervous system
- Administering anti-convulsants, if necessary
- Providing intubation if the dog is having trouble breathing
Dogs recovering from chocolate poisoning will need to be monitored for at least six to eight hours to ensure symptoms subside and the dog is not suffering from possible long-term effects. In some cases, dogs require up to 72 hours to recover from a dog chocolate emergency. Your vet may want to keep your dog overnight for further monitoring. Dogs treated for chocolate poisoning within two hours of ingesting chocolate typically have an excellent prognosis.
Veterinarians report significant increases in cases of theobromine poisoning over Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas. Blue Star Vet urges dog owners to put chocolate candy away where dogs cannot access them. Keep chocolate in the refrigerator or cupboards too high for your dog to reach to prevent accidental poisoning from chocolate.
To schedule an appointment with our veterinarian or to learn more about chocolate poisoning in dogs, call by calling (904) 720-4275 or .
Share this Article
Dr. Venkat Gutta
Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming
At Blue Star Pet Hospital and Grooming, Dr. Venkat Gutta provides high-quality and modern veterinary services to all your furry friends! At Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team are committed to providing your pets with both a full-service Veterinary Hospital and a modern grooming salon (St. Johns location only) for dogs and cats. Our primary commitment is to provide your companion animals with the highest quality medical care. Dr. Gutta strongly believes in treating your four-legged companions as family members and providing them with excellent yet affordable veterinary care. At Bluestar, we also think that it is important to educate you, as a pet owner, and ensure that the unique needs of you and your pet are met at all times. Through Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team serve clients in Durbin Crossing, Jacksonville, St Augustine, St Johns, CR 210, and other areas. Whether it is pet vaccinations, surgery, techniques, advanced diagnostic testing, or even flea and tick control products, we give you access to the best and most cutting-edge treatments and technologies. At Bluestar, we believe that your pet is the STAR!
