What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both stimulating the cardiovascular and nervous systems in canines and humans, but dogs can’t metabolize them at the same rate as humans. The result? Longer-lasting and more severe symptoms. The higher the percentage of cocoa in your chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine and caffeine, and the more toxic it is to your dog.
How Much Chocolate Would Cause Severe Toxicity in My Dog?
The amount of chocolate that is toxic to your dog is relative to their weight—the smaller the dog, the smaller the amount of chocolate in a toxic dose.
SMALL DOG—20 LBS.
- Milk Chocolate: 6 oz.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 3 oz.
- Dark Chocolate: 2.5 oz.
- Baking Chocolate: 1 oz.
MEDIUM DOG—50 LBS.
- Milk Chocolate: 15 oz.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 6.5 oz.
- Dark Chocolate: 7 oz.
- Baking Chocolate: 2.5 oz.
LARGE DOG—90 LBS.
- Milk Chocolate: 26 oz.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 10.5 oz.
- Dark Chocolate: 11 oz.
- Baking Chocolate: 4 oz.
Dog-Proof Your Sweets
- Always keep chocolate in high cabinets that your dog cannot reach.
- Remind any children in the home that these items are dangerous for your dog.
- Be extra vigilant around the holidays.
- Crate your dog when you’re gone to keep them from eating things they shouldn’t.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate
Symptoms that require immediate medical attention:
- Vomiting
- Rapid and/or irregular heartbeat
- Agitation
- Heavy panting
- Muscle tremors
- Staggering
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
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