Why chocolate is harmful to dogs and what to do in case of poisoning: essential tips.
Responsible pet owners always strive to provide their dogs with a balanced diet, which typically includes wet food, meat, vegetables, and dry kibble. However, sometimes owners cannot resist their pet's pleading gaze and share food that can be dangerous, such as chocolate. BestPet explains why chocolate is harmful to dogs.
Why is chocolate harmful?
In addition to fat and sugar, which can trigger pancreatitis in dogs, chocolate also contains theobromine. This substance is particularly dangerous for animals as it is toxic. In humans, theobromine is easily metabolized, but in dogs, this process occurs much more slowly, leading to the accumulation of the substance in the body to dangerous levels. Theobromine can cause acute poisoning by affecting the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and heart.
Symptoms of poisoning
The first symptoms of poisoning may appear within 2-12 hours after a dog has consumed chocolate. The speed of their onset depends on the breed (especially if it's a Yorkshire Terrier), the dog's size, metabolic state, the amount consumed, and how much water they drank that day.
Poisoning from theobromine typically begins with sudden hyperactivity, increased salivation, and intense thirst. Concurrently, symptoms such as diarrhea, elevated body temperature, rapid heartbeat, and breathing may also manifest.
The most dangerous types of chocolate are dark and bitter chocolate, as they contain a high concentration of theobromine. White chocolate has minimal amounts of methylxanthines (about 1 mg/kg), while cocoa powder contains the highest levels—up to 800 mg/kg. In 100 g of milk chocolate, there is between 150 to 220 mg.
The high concentration of theobromine in dark chocolate means that even a small amount can cause poisoning in a pet. For instance, 25 grams can lead to intoxication in a 20 kg dog.
A small amount of consumed chocolate may only result in digestive upset, causing vomiting or diarrhea. However, consuming larger quantities can lead to much more severe consequences. At high doses, theobromine can cause muscle tremors, rapid heartbeat, and even internal bleeding.
A dog can die 6–36 hours after eating chocolate due to the development of heart failure.
First aid and treatment
If you notice signs of poisoning, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. In the meantime, you can attempt to provide first aid to your dog:
Induce vomiting using a mixture of baking soda or salt with water in a 1:1 ratio.
Administer an absorbent—activated charcoal or polysorb according to the dosage.
Remember, if chocolate poisoning in a dog is detected at a late stage, self-administered measures will no longer be effective. There is no antidote for theobromine; therefore, treatment will proceed with standard methods as with regular poisoning.