We've all heard that dogs shouldn't eat chocolate and many pet owners will attest to the fact that their dogs have eaten chocolate and nothing happened. The reason is that there is a toxicity level when it comes to dogs ingesting chocolate and that level has a lot to do with the amount that they eat in relation to their size.
Toxicity levels in dogs
The canine culprit in chocolate is a substance called theobromine. On average, milk chocolate contains about 44 mg. per oz. Semisweet chocolate contains about 150 mg. per oz. And baker's chocolate contains the most at 390 mg. per oz.
Fortunately, it takes a fairly large amount of theobromine to produce symptoms of toxicity in dogs. For example, a 40 pound dog would have to eat at least 4 oz. of baker's chocolate and many more ounces of milk chocolate (the kind contained in most candy) to cause clinical signs of toxicity.
Signs of toxicity
It's the xanthines contained in theobromine that causes the problems for dogs when they ingest chocolate. Xanthines adversely affect a dog's nervous system and their cardiovascular system, as well. Some of the signs of chocolate toxicity include:
- Hyper excitability
- Increased heart rate
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Generally, there is no specific treatment for chocolate poisoning. Many veterinarians will suggest inducing vomiting within the first two hours to reduce the amount of theobromine that is absorbed. Sometimes vets administer charcoal to try to inhibit absorption. If neurological signs are already present, a vet may prescribe an anti-convulsant or intravenous medications. Because many dogs suffer from severe diarrhea about 12 hours after eating chocolate, fluids may also need to be administered to prevent dehydration.
Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure where chocolate toxicity is concerned. If your dog happens to get into some chocolaty treats, contact your veterinarian immediately.
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