Chocolate is a wonderful human delicacy, but it is not suitable for dogs. Chocolate poisoning in dogs is a typical occurrence as a result of unintended intake. However, the extent of toxicity varies depending on the type and quantity of chocolate ingested, and the size of the dog.

Read on to discover why your dog can’t have chocolate (ever), as well as what to do when a dog accidentally eats chocolate.

The Dangers of Chocolate for Dogs

Chocolate includes methylxanthines such as theobromine, as well as caffeine. Dogs, unlike humans, do not readily absorb theobromine. Theobromine and caffeine are very poisonous substances that build up in dogs’ bodies and induce clinical symptoms of chocolate intoxication.

However, not all chocolate is poisonous. What happens when a dog consumes chocolate depends on the type of chocolate they ingest. Baker’s chocolate and cocoa are the most poisonous chocolates, followed by dark, milk, and white chocolate.

Furthermore, keep in mind that your dog’s weight is a factor that plays into chocolate poisoning.

Because chocolate poisoning is so common in dogs, veterinarians usually provide a guidebook or guide that includes a chocolate toxicity meter.

When a Dog Eats Chocolate

Vomiting or diarrhea are common symptoms of an upset stomach in a medium or large dog who has only eaten a modest amount of chocolate.

However, if your small-breed dog eats a lot of chocolate that contains methylxanthines, he or she may get chocolate toxicity symptoms, such as vomiting diarrhea, seizures, muscle tremors, and internal bleeding. This is frequently preceded by an adrenaline rush.

Do not wait for poisoning symptoms to appear if you suspect your dog has taken chocolate or if you witness them doing so. Contact your veterinarian right away. The sooner a dog is treated, the better chance he or she has of recovering rapidly.

If you do not have access to a veterinarian, contact an emergency veterinary facility or the pet poison hotline. These experts will assist you.

If you suspect your dog ate chocolate, save the packaging or snap a photo of it to show your veterinarian. The duration of the dog’s chocolate eating determines the treatment.

Treating Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

Chocolate poisoning in dogs necessitates decontamination and treatment.

To begin, you must remove chocolate from your dog’s diet. If the chocolate was ingested within the last hour, your veterinarian may be able to induce vomiting, preventing the need for hospitalization. This is just another reason to call your veterinarian right away if your dog eats chocolate. Never try to induce vomiting in your dog at home unless supervised by a veterinarian. If the chocolate was consumed more than a few hours ago, or you are unsure when the chocolate was consumed, your veterinarian may need to aid your dog in removing the toxins by delivering activated charcoal or intravenous fluids via a catheter. If your dog does not show signs of chocolate toxicity, this may be adequate.

It’s also worth noting that the dog’s symptoms define the course of treatment. They will very probably need to be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids, nausea/diarrhea drugs, and anti-seizure medications, among other things. Because severe chocolate toxicity is lethal, any dog exhibiting symptoms of chocolate poisoning should be closely watched by a veterinarian.

Chocolate toxicity can result in a single day or numerous days in the hospital, with treatment expenditures ranging from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the poisoning.

Conclusion

To put it simply, chocolate should be kept out of reach of dogs, no matter how special the occasion is. Cases of chocolate poisoning rise over the holidays, when hidden chocolate sweets are buried throughout the house or beneath the tree. Chocolate, even in trace amounts, is toxic to dogs. While dogs and chocolate do not mix, there are lots of tasty and safe treatment options that will delight even the pickiest canine.

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