Is it Really THAT bad for my dog to eat Chocolate??

Is it Really THAT bad for my dog to eat Chocolate??
Is it Really THAT bad for my dog to eat Chocolate??
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Did you know that just a small piece of chocolate could potentially put your dog’s health at serious risk? You’ve probably heard that chocolate is bad for dogs, but do you know why? You might be tempted to share your favorite treat with your pet, but your priority should be to protect his health. 

A single moment of indulgence, one innocent mistake, and it can lead to a health emergency. Today, we will try to talk about can dogs eat chocolate and why you should keep that tasty treat away. Even when your dog gives you puppy eyes and wags his tail, waiting for that taste of chocolate, don’t do it.

Should You Give Your Dog a Piece of Chocolate?

As pet parents, it is always tempting to share treats with your pet. They look at you with adorable puppy eyes, begging for a bite of whatever you eat at the time. It is hard to resist the urge to share chocolate and candies with dogs, but it is one you must try.

What is Chocolate Made Of?

What exactly is harmful about chocolate? There are three compounds in chocolate that are dangerous to dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems of pets. Humans can metabolize it, but pets cannot. That compound is the reason we have more energy and improved mood after eating chocolate. But dogs cannot metabolize it and slowly, it can build up to toxic levels in their system.

The second compound is the high amount of sugar that leads to obesity, dental problems, and diabetes. Chocolate and candies can contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, another highly toxic compound to pets. Since dogs cannot metabolize xylitol, it leads to a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels and the potential for liver failure.

Chocolate also contains caffeine, a diuretic which can cause dehydration in dogs. While caffeine will not result in chocolate poisoning, it can still make things bad for your pet.

How Much Chocolate is Too Much?

There is no clear answer to this. First of all, the amount of theobromine in chocolate varies with the type of chocolate. Darker and bitter chocolate is more dangerous to dogs. Cocoa beans have the most theobromine, followed by unsweetened cocoa powder. So, avoid dark chocolate at all costs. White chocolate and milk chocolate have the least amount of theobromine, but you should avoid feeding them to your pup as well.

Even when the theobromine dose is not toxic to your pet, it can still lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis due to the high amount of fat and sugar.

Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning

We mentioned some symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, but those are just the easy ones. Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning depend on the amount of theobromine. For most dogs, the early signs include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Panting or restlessness
  • Excessive urination
  • Racing heart rate
  • Increased thirst

In some severe cases, theobromine poisoning can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle tremors, and even seizures. Dogs can also experience aspiration pneumonia due to prolonged clinical signs like vomiting. Signs of poisoning can develop after several hours and last for several days. 

Are there Safe Chocolate Treats?

While not the same, there are gourmet dog treats that contain carob as a chocolate substitute. Specialty dog bakeries might use a small amount of milk chocolate in treats. But the best option is to look for carob. It is a dog-safe chocolate that doesn’t contain theobromine.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Chocolate

Any pet owner would be concerned if their dog ate chocolate. Theobromine poisoning and chocolate poisoning depend on weight, type of chocolate, and amount of consumed chocolate. 

For example, a dog having one or two small bites of milk chocolate will not result in a toxic reaction. A bigger dog might not even feel it .For reference, a 45-pound dog would have to consume 6.5 ounces of pure chocolate to show signs of toxicity. That same dog will need 13 ounces of milk chocolate to have an elevated heart rate. 

In most cases, mild chocolate toxicity is out of your dog’s system in 24 to 48 hours. What you can do is withhold food for the next 12 hours to stop intestinal spasms in your dog’s belly to prevent diarrhea. If your dog feels nauseous, try to settle his stomach with an over-the-counter acid reducer. As always, before giving your dog any pills, consult with your veterinarian for dosage depending on weight.

After the first 12 hours of consuming chocolate, feed your dog a bland diet for a few days. Think of a mix of boiled, minced, white skinless chicken, plain white rice, and beef broth to make it easy on your dog’s stomach.

When to Rush to the Vet

If you notice a very rapid heart rate, repetitive tremors, or seizures, you should go to an emergency vet. There, they will treat your pet with injectable medications to control the heart rate and stop the seizures until the toxic levels fall.

How to Prevent Valentine’s Day Pet Accidents

Here are some tips for how to prevent any pet accidents:

  • Keep chocolates and candies out of your pet’s reach.
  • Store chocolate in high cabinets or locked drawers.
  • Disposed of wrappers, their smell might attract your pet’s interest.

Safe Valentine’s Treats for Pets

If you love giving your dog gifts and treats, you can find safe alternatives.You can make homemade treats using pet-safe ingredients like peanut butter without xylitol, carrots, pumpkin, ripe banana, sweet potato, and honey.

Always give treats in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Treats should not be meals.

Final Words

If your dog consumes chocolate and acts normally, then we suggest waiting a few hours and monitoring their condition. If you notice symptoms of toxicity, call your local veterinarian. It is better to be a responsible dog owner and bake some cookies and treats using natural and safe ingredients, so you don’t have to worry. Plus, it is much more fun to bake with your dog and make some safe treats than to give him chocolate from the store.

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