Dogs are exceptionally curious animals, and they learn about their environment by checking out everything. Chocolate is a fun treat for us, and we probably have some form of it somewhere around the kitchen at any given moment. What can happen, if one day, your dog gets into that chocolate? Do dogs die from eating chocolate? Yes, they can, but their diagnosis can depend on a few different factors.
Why Can’t Dogs Have Chocolate?
Firstly, do everything you can to prevent your dog from getting into any sort of chocolate. Attempting to prevent any accidents from happening is key. If a chocolate accident does occur though, what can happen? Caffeine and theobromine are the dangerous ingredients that are included in chocolate. Theobromine is metabolized slower in dogs than humans, which means that hazardous quantities may build up in their bodies. Different types of chocolate contain different theobromine concentrations. Baker’s and dark chocolates have the highest levels of theobromine. Therefore, a dog’s size, the amount of chocolate ingested, and the kind of chocolate consumed may cause potential poisoning symptoms and even death.
Clinical Signs that Your Dog Ate Chocolate
If your dog eats a large dosage of chocolate, it is likely they will experience negative effects. Senior dogs, puppies, or dogs that have health histories are more prone to being poisoned. Indications can differ and even be more severe depending on the size of the dog and the quantity of chocolate ingested. Toxic effects of theobromine are possible when consumed in significant doses from any type of chocolate products.
Symptoms include:
- Tremors in the muscles and limbs
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeats
- Agitation/restlessness
- Increased heart rate
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Chocolate?
There is no doubt that the effects of chocolate poisoning are frightening. If you see your dog having visible signs of chocolate poisoning, you need to act quickly. Call your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 to get professional help. If required, veterinarians may induce vomiting. Keep your dog safe and healthy by taking preventative steps to avoid chocolate poisoning.