Chocolate cake can be a yummy dessert eaten at birthdays, weddings, or just because. When you celebrate your next event, do not share chocolate with your dog. Dogs cannot eat chocolate cake or any other chocolate containing product, because they may experience poisoning. Symptoms range from vomiting and diarrhea to more severe symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat and seizures. Taking immediate action is the best way to ensure the health and safety of your pet.
Why is Chocolate Toxic?
The stimulants, theobromine and caffeine, are ingredients found in chocolate. Caffeine and theobromine share similar chemical structures. They both affect a dog’s nervous system and heart rate. Darker chocolate contains higher levels of theobromine compared to white chocolate. Yet, both types of chocolate are dangerous to dogs. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine as quickly as humans can. The high sugar and fat contents are also detrimental to a dog’s health. Therefore, it is important to keep chocolate away from your pet to ensure their safety.
Symptoms of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs
There are many factors that can determine how severe chocolate poisoning can be. Your dog’s past medical history, their weight, and the amount of chocolate consumed can affect the severity of poisoning. To be aware of potential poisoning, watch out for symptoms such as:
- Body tremors
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeats
- Agitation/restlessness
- Increased heart rate
Treatment of Chocolate Poisoning
You must recognize the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in time for your dog to have a higher chance of recovery. Contact Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 and seek medical care at once. Your veterinarian may conduct a number of treatments. They may prescribe heart medication, provide IV fluids to flush theobromine from the body, induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to reduce chocolate absorption. If no complicated clinical signs are present, your dog should make a full recovery.
