Why Is Chocolate Bad For Dogs? Chocolate is one of my favorite human treats, which is poisonous for dogs. Among the two essential compounds responsible here are theobromine and caffeine that constituents of chocolate don’t get easily metabolized from the body part of the dog. Both cause activating the central and cardiovascular systems to have toxic effects. Unlike humans, a dog’s body metabolizes theobromine much slower, and hence it is permitted to build up to toxic levels. Darker chocolates contain more theobromine and hence the danger rises.
What Does Chocolate Do to a Dog?
When a dog consumes chocolate, the theobromine and caffeine start flowing into the dog’s system in hours. It would depend on the type and amount of chocolate eaten by the dog, as well as its size. In small dogs, it is more of a threat, because the mechanism of the system of the dog for the detoxification process does not work well. In early stages, it can cause restlessness and hyperactivity. When the advancing stages of the toxin develop, then tremors and even seizure may cause a dog to arrest in its cardiac movements. The impact of consuming chocolate is extremely wide but at the same time serious.
Recognizing Chocolate Poisoning Symptoms in Dogs
How early the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs can be recognized would be how sooner treatment can take place. Its symptoms include;
- Vomiting and diarrhea with the characteristic smell of chocolate
- Dilute or increased urination
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Hyperactivity or restlessness
- Tremors on muscles
- Cardiac palpitation
- Seizures
- Collapse or even death in more serious cases
It begins six to twelve hours after ingestion and lasts for several days. In this case, damage will be much lesser if treatment begins early.
How much chocolate kills dogs?
Chocolate is a poison, but that depends on the type and the weight of the dog, and the dose depends on the reaction. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are worse because they have the highest quantity of theobromine. For example, it may be as low as 20 mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight, but at 100 mg/kg or more, a lethal dose is there. For example, one animal, weighing merely 10 kilograms, would succumb to an extremely severe toxicities just due to 50 grams of dark chocolate. However, in the case of large animals, they would undergo this condition a bit more tolerably, and then, at that very moment, real danger does indeed exist.
What to Do If Your Pet Ingested Chocolate
If you think your pet has had some chocolate, do not wait a minute longer. Here is what you are supposed to do.
Evaluate the Ingestion: Know how much was eaten, how much, what type of chocolate, and what size dog you have.
Call Your Veterinarian: Talk to them about everything. They can give you what to do next: this may be an induction of vomiting or as extreme as coming to the emergency animal hospital.
Induce Vomiting (If Told To Do So): Administer hydrogen peroxide according to the guidance of your vet to cause vomiting of the dog to get out the chocolate from its system.
Squirm before the Veterinarian: Extreme cases of treatment may also be immediate veterinary care and may involve giving activated charcoal, IV fluids, or medicine for the regulation of heart rate and seizure.
There is no enzymatic mechanism to hydrolyze theobromine in dogs. Human liver metabolizes and excretes theobromine pretty fast. In dogs, it lingers in the blood for a while and continues to stimulate the nervous and cardiovascular system. This is the metabolic limitation that speaks of the danger of chocolate ingestion for the dogs.
Types of chocolate and their toxicity for dogs
All chocolates are not alike. Most of them are worse than the rest because it will all depend on what their varieties are Dark Chocolate ones with lots of theobromine in them; hence they’re the most harmful. Milk Chocolate-The ones aren’t as lethal as the dark ones, though pretty toxic once high doses of them are administered. White Chocolate have the smallest amount of theobromine but have been despised by everyone because of their high sugar and fat value in them.
Cocoa Powder This is highly concentrated and extremely poisonous in a small amount.
How to Save Dogs from Chocolate Poisoning
Prevention is better than the cure. For your dog’s safety, be guided by the following precautions:
Secure Storage: Chocolate and all its by-products are kept inaccessible, sealed places, or in higher cabinets.
Teach Every Individual in the House: Teach all individuals in the house of the threat in feeding your dog chocolate.
Train Your Dog: Teach your dog basic commands like “leave it” that will advice your dog on not eating any forbidden item.
Give Healthy Treats to Your Dog: Give the dogs a healthy option to satisfy their instincts, such as this special dog treat.
Conclusion
Chocolate poisoning is a serious affair for dogs. Know why chocolate is dangerous, look out for symptoms, and learn how to act in time. Take precautions in advance and always keep an eye on your little friend. The first precaution of course is, when in doubt, to see the veterinarian—every precaution for the health of your dog is justified.
