Dogs and chocolate don’t mix. While many dog owners know to keep their chocolate stash out of paw’s reach, understanding why your dog can’t have chocolate, and what to do if they accidentally ingest it, can potentially help save your dog’s life.
Did you know? The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center averages over 103 cases of chocolate ingestion per day, or more than one case every 15 minutes.
Did you know? Most cases of chocolate poisoning occur around Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas when you’re more likely to have chocolate around.
If your dog is small or ingests an unknown quantity of chocolate, take them to the vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
If you know exactly how much your dog ate, contact your veterinarian. After calculating the amount of toxin ingested relative to your dog’s weight, the vet will likely recommend either a watch-and-wait approach or immediate emergency treatment.
Remember, when in doubt, always have your dog checked out by your veterinarian, or call the ASPCA Poison Control hotline, toll-free at (888) 426-4435 for immediate answers.