Dogs and Chocolate
These Two Don't Mix!

Humans and chocolate pair up fairly well. However, dogs and chocolate are a deadly combination. This sweet is toxic to dogs and when the two mix, death by a condition known as chocolate poisoning can occur.


The Toxin Connection Between Dogs and Chocolate

Chocolate contains a natural substance, a stimulant, called theobromine. Unfortunately for dogs, theobromine is toxic and causes a condition known as chocolate poisoning which affects the central nervous system as well as the heart. If too much is ingested, it can cause extreme seizures and can result in the death of the animal.

Even small amounts ingested are harmful though they may not produce visible symptoms of poisoning for several hours. In some cases, depending on the type of chocolate ingested as well as the amount, the animal may be able to purge itself of the toxin and the pet owner may not even know the animal was ever in distress. However, large amounts ingested could produce symptoms in a matter of minutes putting the dog in a deadly situation.

Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine; therefore, some chocolate is more toxic to your dog than others. Bakers chocolate is the most toxic while white and milk chocolate are the least toxic.

The bottom line however is the same: chocolate is toxic to your dog. Don't let your pet have anything containing it!


Dogs and Chocolate: Signs of Chocolate Poisoning

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• restlessness or hyperactivity
• excessive panting
• muscle twitching
• inability to walk
• increased heart rate
• and, in severe cases, seizures

What to Do When Dogs and Chocolate Mix

There is no antidote for this type of poisoning. If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, call your vet immediately. If you are lucky, you will have found the wrapper or the source of the chocolate and can tell your vet exactly what and maybe how much was ingested.

In most cases (when the dog is not in severe distress from chocolate poisoning), your vet will advise you to induce vomiting to get the chocolate out of the dog's stomach. You'll be told to watch him or her closely to monitor their symptoms. They will also want you to call them every 15 to 20 minutes to let them know if the pet is getting better or showing more symptoms. If symptoms are not easing up, if they are getting worse, you'll be told to get the dog to the vet's office ASAP.

So, how do you get your dog to vomit?

Give him hydrogen peroxide, the kind every medicine cabinet should have a bottle of. For large breeds, mix 3 to 4 tablespoons in a little water and give by mouth. You may need to repeat this (up to three times) every fifteen minutes. For small breeds, mix 1 to 2 teaspoons in a little water and give by mouth.

NOTE: If your household does not have any hydrogen peroxide, go to your nearest pharmacy and get some! Syrup of Ipecac is something else that is effective to induce vomiting in cases when a toxic substance has been ingested. In cases of chocolate poisoning, you want your dog to vomit. You may also be advised to give your dog charcoal tablets (found at pharmacies). These tablets will bind to the poison (in this case the chocolate), help to deactivate it, and also help prevent it from further getting into your dog's digestive system.

Back in 2003, one holiday season, my #1 human was given a box of six white chocolate truffle golf balls. A perfect gift for her, a golfer. Not a perfect gift for me, a dog. I did not know that dogs and chocolate were bad news. All I knew was how good that box smelled! I found it, inside a gift bag, sitting too close to the edge of a table and since nobody was around... I took it! You think I'm going to keep away from something that smelled soooo good? No way! I ate them all. My #1 human found the empty bag and the shredded box and immediately knew I was involved. How, I can't figure out. Maybe the fact I had a huge guilty look on my face gave it away or maybe the cats tattled. Anyway, she called the vet and was told to do the hydrogen peroxide thing. However, as she discovered when she tried to get some into my mouth, I don't like the stuff and no way am I going to sit there and drink any of it! Geez! It tasted awful and it makes your mouth foam! I started spitting the stuff everywhere, including on her. She tried again. Nope. My mouth is now clamped shut. Good. She had given up and gone back in the house. I had a bellyache by now and I wished I could throw up, but nothing was coming out. Oh, oh. I noticed she's come back and she has one hand behind her. That's not good. Something's up. I watched her approach. Oh, Oh. She's doing the babytalk thing. I let her get close and she grabbed my collar. Immediately her hand came from behind her back and she's got a turkey baster in it! Yikes! Before I figure out what's going on, she's forced that nasty, foamy stuff down my throat. I take off, she takes off after me. I'm running through the backyard, foaming at the mouth and my #1 human is right behind me. A crazy person wielding a turkey baster like a battle lance. I stop. My stomach is now churning. Apparantly, she got enough of the hydrogen peroxide and water down my throat to get things started. I spend the next ten minutes roaming around the yard giving back all the chocolate I ate. She's grossed out, but very relieved. An hour later, I was totally back to normal except for a new severe aversion to turkey basters... and anything that foams.

Other Foods That are Toxic to Dogs

Humans love to treat their dogs with little bites of whatever they are eating and dogs love this act of sharing. However, many human foods can cause a toxic reaction, some almost as severe as when dogs and chocolate get together.

Here are other foods you should keep away from Fido:

• Macadamia nuts and walnuts (some vets advise a total no nut policy for dogs)
• grapes and raisins
• turkey skin
• raw liver
• raw fish
• mushrooms

For more information about dogs and chocolate as well as other everyday things which can poison your pet, visit the ASPCA poison control webpage.

Please keep an eye on your dog during holidays or other events where foods that are toxic are easily obtainable. Your guests, children, or other family members may not know that dogs and chocolate are a dangerous combination. They may not know that those nuts and other goodies sitting there could harm Spot if tossed his way. It's up to you to educate them!