Important Things You Need to Know About Dogs and Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two chemicals that are toxic to dogs. Theobromine, a stimulant, acts like caffeine in humans, except it is much more potent. The amount of theobromine in chocolate is not directly correlated to its toxicity but rather the dog's size.
A small dog will only need a tiny amount to be poisoned, while a large dog can eat a large amount of chocolate and be okay. In humans, it is estimated that one ounce of baking chocolate could be lethal while eating 2 ounces of chocolate is likely to cause gastric distress. The same goes for dogs, though, with much lower ingestion levels.
As a rule of thumb, a Hershey's Kiss is enough to make a 10-pound dog sick, while it would take a 100-pound dog to be affected.
Today, let's explore what you need to know about dogs and chocolate.
How Much Chocolate is Dangerous for Dogs?
For a small dog, 1.9 ounces of baking chocolate can be fatal, while other sources recommend the consumption of 2 ounces of baking chocolate for a 10-pound dog. A 100-pound dog can eat 100 grams or 3.5 ounces of baking chocolate and still live.
The larger the dog, the more it can eat before becoming fatal. For instance, a large dog can eat 1/2 pound of chocolate without suffering ill effects because they can also stand to eat more chocolate.
How to Prevent Dogs From Eating Chocolate
Organize Everything
Chocolate is everywhere, and it's up to you to organize everything. You need to be responsible for your dog's well-being by organizing the house. You keep chocolate away from your dog. This is an excellent time to eliminate all the junk food, including chocolate, in your home.
Catch Your Dog as Soon as it Eats Chocolate
Whenever you see your dog eating chocolate, you need to act fast. If possible, get rid of the chocolate right away. If not, it is essential to get your dog to vomit as soon as possible. One way to do this is to give your dog hydrogen peroxide while holding him upside down.
Try to obtain hydrogen peroxide as quickly as possible. You can find it in your local grocery store or pharmacy. The dosage is 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pour 3% peroxide into a plastic container and administer it to your dog.
Signs Your Dog Might Have Eaten Chocolate
If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, you need to watch out for the signs of poisoning.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hyperactivity
- Excessive Vocalization
- Rapid Breathing
- Seizures
You need to get this dog to the vet as soon as possible. You can follow your vet's advice and take your dog to the emergency vet to make it easier.
When is it Important to Get Your Dog to the Vet?
As soon as possible! It is best to see the vet as soon as you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate. Don't wait for your dog's condition to worsen. In many cases, you need to prevent the chocolate from being absorbed.
The Bottom Line
The amount of chocolate your dog needs to eat before you need to take him to the vet will vary depending on the type and size of the dog. A large dog that consumes a lot of chocolate can be okay. At the same time, a small dog who eats a small amount of chocolate will suffer the consequences.
To prevent your dog from eating chocolate, you need to organize everything, including the chocolate. Keep chocolate away from your dog at all times.
EarthWise Pet Supply & Grooming Marysville Bentonville is a local pet store. We are committed to giving the best service to all your dogs. We offer a wide range of products and services to help your dogs feel and look their best. You can count on us to take good care of them. Our goal is to keep them as comfortable as possible, so let us know if there’s anything we can do to help!