What Happens If a Dog Eats Chocolate?

Just because your beloved pet begs at the table doesn't mean he should eat anything you toss his way. While canines will happily gobble down a bit of your leftover steak with no ill effect, desert is a different matter. Chocolate, in its many forms, is toxic to dogs, leading to severe illness and death.

Cause

Chocolate contains a stimulant, theobromine, a member of the caffeine family. While humans can ingest theobromine without harm, dogs cannot tolerate the chemical. Theobromine levels vary according to chocolate type. Milk chocolate contains the least theobromine, while baker's chocolate contains the highest amount. Because of this, knowing what kind of chocolate your dog has eaten can help you determine the level of care required.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of chocolate poisoning commonly occur within the first 24 hours after ingestion. Dogs will show gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea. They may also seem agitated and urinate more often. Serious symptoms include elevated heart rate and high blood pressure. Finally, your dog may succumb to heart attack, seizures, coma, and death. Because the effect of chocolate on dogs is so severe, you should visit your veterinarian or local emergency veterinary clinic the moment you suspect poisoning.

Treatment

The only treatment for chocolate poisoning is to limit the absorption of toxic theobromine. Once your vet has treated any symptoms, such as elevated heart rate or seizure, she will induce vomiting and possibly administer an activated charcoal that helps slow theobromine absorption. After these attempts, your dog must naturally metabolize the rest.

Prevention

Even though chocolate is highly toxic for dogs, they seem to love it, so the best prevention is to keep it out of your pet's reach. Make sure any chocolate is hidden well, as dogs are attracted to the sweet scent and can easily sniff it out. Be sure not to leave any half-eaten chocolate foods in the trash and discourage your dog from begging while you are eating chocolate foods.