If you have a pet, we are not telling you anything new when we say that chocolate is toxic for your pet. However, chocolate remains the main cause of poisoning, especially during holiday periods such as Easter or Christmas.
The professionals at Clinique Vétérinaire Beaubien will explain the dangers behind chocolate and help you take the necessary precautions.
Why Is Chocolate Toxic?
What makes chocolate toxic for dogs is precisely the presence of cocoa, which contains theobromine, a molecule of the methylxanthine family, as well as a small dose of caffeine.
It’s well known that chocolate is a stimulant (that’s why we avoid giving it to children in the evening!): a characteristic due to the presence of theobromine, which stimulates the central nervous system and the myocardium. However, your dog eliminates this molecule more slowly than you do and is therefore much more sensitive to it.
As mentioned, theobromine is found in the cocoa bean, which means that the higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the more toxic it will be for your dog. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are therefore the two most dangerous components for your pet, while white chocolate is much less dangerous.
Chocolate ingestion should be taken seriously: the consequences can range from a digestive disorder to the development of neurological and cardiac disorders and, in the case of acute intoxication, it may lead to death.
The severity depends on the amount of theobromine ingested and the weight of your dog. A dose of 20 to 40 mg/kg usually causes digestive problems, while a dose of 100 mg/kg can be fatal.
Chocolate is equally toxic to cats; however, cats are simply less attracted to sweet foods than dogs.
What to Do in Case of Poisoning
Has your dog ingested chocolate? Don’t take the situation for granted and don’t wait for symptoms to appear: they can start to appear between 6 and 12 hours after ingestion. The sooner the substance is eliminated, the better the prognosis.
There is no antidote for theobromine per se; your veterinarian can remove it from your dog’s system or treat it symptomatically.
Treatment will often include inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal. This will prevent your dog’s intestines from absorbing the theobromine. This is why it is also important to act before it is digested! In more serious cases of poisoning, hospitalization may be required.
By calling the clinic and informing us of the amount ingested, we can calculate the dose taken and inform you of the risk of intoxication or not.
Please note that some dog breeds are prone to heart problems, including brachycephalic breeds such as
- English or French bulldog
- Pug
- Boxer
The risks of complications are therefore increased in case of cocoa ingestion in these breeds, as in any animal with heart or respiratory problems.
Precautions to Take
Of course, prevention is better than cure. With Easter upcoming, be especially vigilant and make sure you don’t leave chocolate boxes lying around for your pet, particularly if you are organizing an egg hunt!
Also, be aware of the fact that not only your children, but also your guests, including the youngest ones, should be aware of this. In general, keep chocolate foods out of your dog’s reach and remember that your dog may be more determined than you think: the table or counter is not always a safe place.
Some people may think it’s okay to give their dog a little piece of chocolate every now and then. It is true that small doses will not necessarily cause intoxication, but think twice: they can develop heart failure in the long term.
Finally, pay attention to the composition of your fertilizers and ground covers: cocoa pods are sometimes one of their components! These are just as toxic for your dog as cocoa in the form of chocolate.
If your pet ingests any toxic food such as chocolate, don’t hesitate a second: contact your veterinarian in the heart of Rosemont–La-Petite-Patrie for rapid care and treatment. Also, react promptly to the appearance of abnormal symptoms: our experienced team will inform you on the steps forward!