Dangerous sweet: what happens if a dog eats chocolate

Pet owners treat their pets like family members. A side effect of the owner’s all-consuming love is the desire to pamper the pet and treat it to something tasty. And often the role of a delicacy is what most people recognize as the most delicious sweet in the world - chocolate. This product is a poison for dogs that can cause terrible consequences - from diarrhea and vomiting to a heart attack.

Why dogs can't have chocolate

It's all about theobromine

What is chocolate made of? In answer to this question, anyone can name cocoa beans. And, undoubtedly, he will be aware of the beneficial effects of this fruit on the body. But the human and dog bodies are naturally different. And what is useful to people poses a real threat to their pets.

Important! It is not at all necessary that your dog will drop dead after eating a piece of chocolate. But if it is a certain type of sweet (the darker and more natural the chocolate, the more dangerous), if the size and weight of the dog are small, and the consumed portion of the sweet product is impressive, there will be an immediate threat to the health and even life of the pet.

The darker and more natural the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for dogs.

Source of the problem

If we look in detail at the source of the problem, called theobromine, which, undoubtedly, should be done by all “dog lovers” or those who are planning to have a pet, the following can be said about this substance.

1. Theobromine is of plant origin.
2. It belongs to the group of methylxanthines.
3. This alkaloid gives chocolate a bitter taste.
4. Similar in characteristics to caffeine.
5. It does not pose any threat to humans, since it is removed from it as soon as it gets there.
6. For a dog, the decay period of the substance is 17.5 hours. During this time, it manages to fully exert its toxic effect.

This substance is widely used in medicine, like caffeine. It is used:

• as a component of diuretics;
• to dilate blood vessels;
• to stimulate the heart;
• as a muscle relaxant.

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is dangerous for dogs.

Types and contents

Different types of cocoa containing products contain theobromine in different doses.

Table. Doses of theobromine by type of chocolate products

View	Amount in mg per 100 g
Pekarsky	1365
Dark (up to 85% cocoa)	802
Dark (up to 70%)	632
Dark (up to 60%)	493
Lactic	205
Marshmallows in chocolate	159
Chocolate bar	116
Chocolate candies	64
White chocolate	3,5

From this table it follows that for a twenty-kilogram dog, a toxic dose would be, for example, 250 grams of dark chocolate with high cocoa content or almost a kilogram of milk chocolate. For a dog weighing five kilograms, the dose is reduced by four.

Important! A dose of theobromine of 100 mg per kilogram of animal weight is toxic for a dog. Therefore, the smaller the dog, the smaller the dose is sufficient for poisoning.

Dangerous dose of chocolate for dogs

Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?

Chocolate is dangerous for animals due to some of the components it contains. These are mainly cocoa beans, they contain substances harmful to pets:

1. Alkaloids: acting on brain cells, they give an artificial feeling of pleasure. For humans, this effect can be useful, it allows you to relieve stress and relax, but it has a detrimental effect on dogs. The alkaloid remains in the blood for 20 hours and has a harmful effect on the functioning of the animal’s kidneys, nervous system, blood vessels and heart.
2. Tannins: There aren't many of them in chocolate, but they still have a negative effect on your dog's brain cells.
3. Sugar: perhaps one of the most important reasons why dogs should not eat chocolate, like all sweets in general. Sugar can put stress on the pancreas, causing diabetes to develop. It is impossible to cure this disease in animals.

In addition, chocolate contains flavoring additives, dyes and aromas, which are no less harmful for both dogs and humans.

Consequences

So, treating your pet with a piece of white chocolate or chocolate candy, at first glance, is not so scary. But the problem is that most dogs become devoted fans from the moment they try this treat. And subsequently, as soon as the owners gape and leave a bar of a sweet product or a box of chocolates in a visible place, it will be opened and eaten in the blink of an eye.

By the way. If the amount of theobromine in the chocolate destroyed by a pet does not exceed the critical norm for the animal, obvious consequences may not occur. At most, the dog faces a mild stomach upset.

If a substance is consumed in a dose dangerous to health, the following may happen to a dog:

• severe stomach upset;
• vomit;
• severe diarrhea;
• muscle tremors;
• internal bleeding;
• seizure attack;
• interruptions in heart rhythm;
• heart attack.

Most dogs become his devoted fans

If the dog ate chocolate

The owners are aware that chocolate is not allowed for the pet. But dogs are smart and quick-witted creatures. And now there is only one wrapper left of the chocolate, an empty, torn candy box lies on the floor, and the pet, at first glance, is cheerful, content and active.

Don't flatter yourself. Take the following steps.

1. Calculate how much theobromine has entered your pet's stomach.
2. Relate this number to the dog's weight.
3. Observe its behavior - the beginning of the poisoning process is characterized by the animal's hyperactivity.
4. Then activity will give way to lethargy, and signs of gastric distress will appear.

Important! In case of a critical dose, without waiting for signs of poisoning to appear, it is necessary to take the animal to a veterinary clinic.

First symptoms and treatment for chocolate poisoning

Signs of theobromine poisoning

It may happen that wrappers and boxes are not immediately discovered. And the owner still has no idea that the pet has destroyed the family's chocolate stock. But based on the following signs that appear, you can quickly guess that something is happening to the dog.

1. Theobromine is a central nervous system stimulant, which means that the animal’s heart rate will accelerate and arrhythmia will begin.
2. It is a diuretic, the dog will begin to suffer from frequent urination, which threatens dehydration, despite the fact that the dog will be thirsty.
3. Allergies may begin.
4. The animal's breathing will become frequent and intermittent.
5. Vomiting will begin, and diarrhea may begin.
6. During convulsions, coma can develop, and the animal can die.

Help

Self-medication should not be done, since without the intervention of a veterinarian, the pet may be more likely to be harmed than helped. But still, within two hours after the chocolate has been eaten, if dangerous consequences occur, you can try to induce vomiting in your pet, if there is no vomiting. It is also necessary to give him plenty of water to drink.

If your dog has eaten a lot of chocolate, you should immediately see a doctor.

Advice. The main thing is to get the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. At the veterinary clinic, he will undergo gastric lavage, and this will help avoid dangerous health consequences.

You can feed your dog crushed activated carbon, one tablet per 10 kilograms of the animal’s weight. Be sure to drink plenty of water. In the future, charcoal should be given to your pet at four-hour intervals to enhance absorption.

Your veterinarian may administer intravenous infusion therapy to dilute the toxin and speed its release.

Also, if necessary, the animal may be prescribed a drug that slows down the heart rate.

Video - Products dangerous for dogs

Other dangers

In addition to theobromine, food chocolate contains many other components that, to a lesser extent, also pose a danger to dog health.

1. A lot of sugar - if it is consumed excessively and frequently, the animal can develop diabetes.
2. Flavorings – may cause allergies.
3. Dyes are also toxins and harmful in large doses.
4. Flavoring additives, nuts, and so on, putting a strain on the animal’s pancreas.

Signs of a dog being poisoned by chocolate

Chocolate is poison for dogs, regardless of whether it is bitter or milky. The delicacy is addictive both for purebred pets and mongrels tamed from the street. And if the dog eats a piece a couple of times without any visible consequences for himself, then he will continue to strive to constantly steal sweet bars from his owners.

If a dog swallows a dangerous treat without the owners noticing, the consequences will affect its health. The first signs of chocolate poisoning appear after 1.5-3 hours, depending on the size of the animal. This:

• strong thirst;
• increased excitement,
• inadequate activity;
• paw twitching;
• rapid breathing and heart rate;
• temperature increase;
• frequent urge to go to the toilet;
• presence of blood in the urine;
• confusion;
• loss of orientation in space;
• diarrhea or vomiting;
• bloating (if a dog eats a chocolate bar with foil or plastic packaging, this can lead to intestinal obstruction).

Important! If a dog exhibiting the listed symptoms is not given first aid, then it may begin to have convulsions, then a coma, and after 1.2-2 days the animal will die. An elderly pet or one in poor health may die from a heart attack as a result of stress even at the first manifestation of dangerous signs.

At the first signs of poisoning, you should take the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Note! Vomiting is caused during the first time after intoxication. If the animal has already started having convulsions, only a clinic can help it.

How not to feed your pet chocolate

1. Well, first of all, just don’t give your dog this product, ever, in any form. Neither as a treat, nor as a reward.
2. Secondly, adult family members need to ensure that children do not share sweets with their pets.
3. Thirdly, you should not store chocolate products within your pet's sight.
4. Fourthly, do not underestimate your dog, many of them know how to open cabinets and even refrigerators and perform gymnastic miracles when their owners are not at home.

Chocolate must be carefully hidden from dogs

Important! If you have a dog at home, especially a small one, and you are a lover of sweets, in particular dark chocolate, this product should be kept exclusively under lock and key.

Although in veterinary practice, death after eating chocolate in dogs is rare, severe poisoning is also a high danger and stress, both for the pet and for its owners. Especially in the absence of treatment and failure to provide assistance, the consequences can be serious.

What to do? How to accept the fact that your beloved dog will never taste chocolate in his life? There is a solution - special chocolate for dogs.

Video - Products harmful to dogs

How do symptoms appear, and what determines the severity of the manifestation?

The onset of theobromine poisoning is usually accompanied by extreme hyperactivity, drooling, and increased thirst. Poisoning may also be accompanied by diarrhea, elevated body temperature, rapid heartbeat and breathing. The size of the dog and the amount of theobromine contained in the chocolate eaten are of great importance. Dark, bitter chocolate contains much more of these substances than milk chocolate, which means it is more dangerous to consume. White chocolate contains the least methylxanthines (1 mg/kg), but cocoa powder contains the most (800 mg/kg). 100 g of milk chocolate contains 150–220 mg of theobromine.

The high content of theobromine in dark chocolate means that it only takes a very small amount to poison a dog: just 25 grams is enough to poison a 20kg dog.

A small amount of chocolate will probably only cause gastrointestinal upset. The dog may vomit or have diarrhea. Consuming large quantities of chocolate will have more serious consequences. In sufficient quantities, theobromine can cause muscle tremors, seizures, irregular heart rhythms, and even internal bleeding.

The average lethal dose for dogs is 300 mg/kg. Cats (and especially kittens) are even more sensitive to theobromine (average lethal dose - 200 mg/kg).

Death can occur within 6-36 hours after eating chocolate due to the development of heart failure.

Chocolate that dogs can eat

Chocolate made specifically for dogs contains neither cocoa nor sugar. But it contains substances that are beneficial to dogs:

• lecithin;
• stevia;
• carob powder;
• blood albumin;
• dairy products;
• yeast;
• Palm oil;
• lactose;
• vitamins.

Table. Chocolate brands for dogs

Brand	Image	Description
"Veda"	Russian brand that produces the product Choco Dog
Trixie GmbH&Co	Germany - product called Schoco Dog Chocolate
Dr.Alders	Germany – produces shock drops
Gimborn	Also a German brand that makes chocolate drops

Advice. As with any product, chocolate for dogs must be handled carefully, not allowing your pet to consume it in unlimited quantities. The treat must have an appropriate status.

In small doses, dog chocolate will become not only a tasty treat for your pet, but also a healthy product, the use of which will improve the condition of the coat, claws, and teeth.

First aid for chocolate poisoning

Actions in the first 12–36 hours after poisoning affect the outcome of treatment, so it is important to notice the symptoms of intoxication in time and provide first aid to your pet.

Symptoms of intoxication occur in the following order:

• vomiting and loose stools;
• increased activity;
• frequent urination;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• convulsions;
• increased body temperature, shortness of breath and decreased blood pressure.

Toxic dose of chocolate for dogs

Some dog owners naively believe that giving a small piece of chocolate occasionally will be safe for their pet's health, but this is absolutely not the case. A pet can become poisoned by eating this sweet in an amount of 15 mg/kg of weight, and 100 mg/kg will lead to the death of the animal.

In addition, pets develop an addiction to this product, and they can steal the tile from the owner and eat it completely. This could end tragically. Therefore, veterinarians and experienced breeders are unanimous in their opinion - chocolate should never be given to animals.

Providing first aid to a pet

The main rule of first aid at home is that the dog should not be given antiemetics for poisoning from sweets. This is due to the fact that cocoa and other substances dangerous to the body must be eliminated from the body, and not accumulate in it. On the contrary, the animal’s gag reflex is stimulated. To do this, use a solution of soda or table salt. Pour half a liter of water into a bowl, and then pour two tablespoons of salt or soda into it. Most likely, a weakened dog will not want to drink this liquid. Then you need to pour the solution into the animal’s mouth.

When you already understand what will happen if you give your dog chocolate and have taken the first measures, you need to give it sorbents. They can smooth out the consequences of poisoning and normalize the functioning of the stomach. Activated carbon is considered optimal for pets. Immediately after, you should take your pet to the clinic. You especially need to hurry if you have a small individual. This is due to the fact that they perceive chemicals more acutely.