Chocolate toxic for dogs
Whew, it is finally fall. Fall means pumpkins and Halloween, and all of the candy that comes with it. So, now is a good time to address the problem of chocolate toxicity in pets. We see it every year. Dogs love chocolate. If they can get to it, they will eat it.
Not all chocolates are created equal. We are told that in all of the health magazines these days. While the purer the chocolate, the healthier it is supposed to be for us, the purer the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for our pets.
Chocolate contains two ingredients that can be dangerous to dogs — theobromine and caffeine. They are known as methylxanthines
Methylxanthine causes central nervous system stimulation, cardiac arrhythmias and rapid heartbeat. Symptoms begin within six to 12 hours of ingestion, and include hyperactivity, heart palpitations and racing heart, tremors and, in worst-case scenarios, coma and death. Death is caused by cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.
Dark chocolate such as baking chocolate has the highest concentration of methylxanthines and is the most dangerous, while a chocolate-chip cookie that has a lot of other ingredients would be much safer. White chocolate contains almost no methylxanthine, but baking chocolate contains seven times more than milk chocolate.
For example, one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of dog is considered dangerous, but less than 0.1 ounce of baking chocolate per pound of dog would be a lethal dose. That means 10 ounces of milk chocolate could be fatal to a 10-pound dog, but just 1 ounce of baking chocolate could be fatal to the same dog. Dark chocolate and semisweet chocolate chips are halfway between baking chocolate and milk chocolate in toxicity.
If your pet eats one chocolate-chip cookie, I would watch for vomiting and diarrhea, but I wouldn't think chocolate toxicity. If your dog eats a purer form of chocolate, the need for treatment would depend on the amount and how long ago the chocolate was ingested. Be sure to get on the phone with your doctor or an after-hours emergency facility.
If the chocolate was eaten within 45 minutes, make the pet throw up. Giving the dog a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide can induce emesis. Additional treatment at the veterinary hospital includes activated charcoal and fluid therapy.
This is a serious toxicity when it occurs, so don't take it lightly if you find your dog looking up at you from the midst of a bunch of Godiva wrappers.
Take action and call your veterinarian to get guidance. It is very helpful to know what kind of chocolate it is and how much was consumed. So, have a very happy Halloween — and keep the candy put away!