Is chocolate toxic for dogs?
Not everything that is a delicious treat for us humans should be given to your dog - like chocolate. The sweet temptation is toxic for your four-legged friend →in fact! Even in small amounts, chocolate can be toxic for dogs.
The reason for this is the substance theobromine contained in cocoa. *Our dogs can only metabolize this caffeine-like substance slowly. The consequence: Due to the long duration in the body, various poisoning symptoms can occur. Additionally, some types of chocolate also contain small amounts of caffeine. Especially the combination of theobromine and caffeine can be dangerous for dogs**.
My dog ate chocolate - what now?
Your dog has eaten chocolate and now panic is rising in you? First of all: Stay calm!
1. If the chocolate intake has just occurred, you can give your dog charcoal tablets. These bind the toxins and ensure that they are excreted through the feces. A rule of thumb states: 0.5-1g activated charcoal x the dog's body weight (one tablet usually contains 250mg activated charcoal).
2. Find the nearest emergency veterinary clinic and head to the practice!
3. If you can, take the chocolate packaging and the rest of the chocolate with you to the veterinary clinic so that the veterinarian can determine the amount of theobromine ingested.
Hat dein Hund Schokolade gefressen, heißt es ab zum Tierarzt! In der Regel führt der Verzehr zu einer Schokoladenvergiftung, welche zeitnah behandelt werden muss.
How do I recognize chocolate poisoning?
Depending on the amount of chocolate in relation to your dog's body size and weight, the symptoms of chocolate poisoning can appear quite quickly. Initial signs are: restlessness, →diarrhea, →vomiting or excessive thirst.
Watch for the following symptoms:
- Hyperactivity
- Increased thirst
- Diarrhea and increased urination
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Consciousness disturbances
If the time of the "chocolate accident" has not been long, your four-legged friend may not yet show any symptoms. Nevertheless, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. There, your dog will be induced to vomit with the help of an injection and treated further depending on the severity of the poisoning.
After an exciting rescue operation, your dog needs a lot of rest and even more cuddles. If the poisoning still affects the stomach, a few days of a bland diet can help. Our VET Stomach and Intestine Fit wet food with chicken, rice, and cottage cheese is ideally suited for this.
Leckere & verträgliche Schonkost: Unser VET Magen & Darm Fit Nassfutter enthält alles, was ein gereiztes Hundebäuchlein braucht.
How much chocolate is toxic for dogs?
When it comes to how severe the poisoning is, it depends on the amount of chocolate consumed and the body size or weight of the dog.
Depending on which type of chocolate your dog has eaten, the cocoa content and the amount of theobromine ingested can be correspondingly high or low. How "well" your dog tolerates this amount depends on the body weight and size of your four-legged friend. Milk chocolate and white chocolate contain much less cocoa compared to dark chocolate and are therefore "not quite as dangerous."
As a rule of thumb:
- The consumption of milk chocolate becomes critical at about 40 mg per kilogram of your dog's body weight.
- The consumption of dark chocolate becomes critical at about 20 mg per kilogram of your dog's body weight.
This means: A large dog that has devoured an entire milk chocolate Santa Claus might handle it more easily than a small Chihuahua that has only nibbled on a piece of dark chocolate. Thus, the large four-legged friend might "only" end up with an upset stomach, while the small furry friend is in life-threatening danger.
