Sweet Poison
Chocolate and Dogs Don’t Mix. What to Do if Your Dog Ate Chocolate
If your dog ingests chocolate, it’s important to act quickly to avoid potentially serious complications. Here are the steps you should take:
Figure out how much your dog ate: There are several factors that affect the toxicity of chocolate in dogs. See the toxicity levels below and make a copy for future use.
1. Knowing what kind of chocolate your dog ate and how much it consumed is important when determining if your dog is in danger.
2. Call your vet: The earlier you seek treatment, the better the chances of a positive outcome.If your vet is not available, contact Animal Poison Control at 1–888–426–4435.
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3. Watch for these symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, and seizures. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the amount and type of chocolate your dog has ingested.
4. DON’T induce vomiting unless your vet recommends it because it causes more stress on the body and potentially lead to aspiration pneumonia.
5. Your vet may recommend an office visit or tell you how to monitor your dog at home. Follow their instructions carefully, and seek further treatment if your dog’s condition worsens.
Toxic Levels of Chocolate
Baking Chocolate: 0.5 ounces per 10 pounds
Dark Chocolate: 1.5 ounce per 10 pounds
Milk Chocolate: 3.5 ounces per 10 pounds
White Chocolate: 4.7 ounces per 10 pounds
