No responsible dog owner would ever intentionally feed their pup chocolate. But sometimes those furry scalawags sneak the forbidden snack right off the counter or out of your bag. So how do you know if the amount ingested requires a trip to the vet -- or worse, the ER?Fortunately, this interactive chocolate chart from National Geographic helps you determine your dog's danger zone. Use the cursor to scroll down according to your dog's weight in pounds (or kilograms), then check the color-coded bar on the side to see its dangerous effect. The chart even breaks down the quantities by type of chocolate: white, milk, semi-sweet, dark, baking or cocoa.
For emergency reference, be sure to bookmark the chart. And always be conscious of keeping chocolate out of your dog's reach.
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Oh my gosh, when I was a kid, we were going on vacation -- long road trip. My mom was driving, and my dad was taking a nap in the back of the truck (we had a camper over it), with the dog. When he woke up, he found that she'd gotten into one of our food boxes and eaten an entire container of those fudgey Keebler elves cookies. And then, fortunately, she was FINE. You know, aside from a few extra poos ...
Kristen thank u.....My dog had just takeing half a chocolate cake off the counter and i was worried sick. she seems to be sleeping now(like always) and hope she will be fine. She is a labrodor so she eats alot so im sure she will be fine.
The most common methylxanthine toxicity seen at our practice is chocolate. However, occasionally, dogs ingesting other human caffeine containing preparations ("Vivarin" or "No-Doz") are presented.
Theobromine, caffeine and theophylline are naturally occurring methylxanthines found in several plants, foods and beverages, and in several human and veterinary medications. Theobromine is obtained from the plant Theobroma cocoa and is present in chocolate, cocoa, tea, cocoa beans and cocoa bean hulls. Milk chocolate is derived from the seeds of Theobroma cacao after fermentation and roasting. Milk chocolate has about 44 mg/ounce of theobromine. Thus a 4 ½ -ounce Hershey bar has about 240 mg of theobromine. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains 440mg/ounce of theobromine and is much more dangerous.
The LD50 of theobromine in dogs is between 250-500 mg/kg (or about 2/3 to 1 1/3 ounces of baking chocolate per kg). However, serious non-fatal intoxications have been reported in dogs in far smaller amounts. The half-life of theobromine is very long in dogs when compared to other species (17.5 hours in the dog and about 6 hours in humans).
The primary effect of methylxanthines is to increase amount of cyclic AMP, release catecholamines and facilitate calcium entry leading to muscle contractility. These effects explain the "buzz" of caffeine and chocolate. Clinical signs of chocolate toxicosis include first vomiting and diarrhea, diuresis (often reported as urinary incontinence) and cardiac arrhythmias followed by ataxia and seizures. Headache and abdominal pain are commonly reported in humans.
Treatment of chocolate poisoning in dogs includes maintenance of life support, hastening elimination and providing symptomatic treatment of respiratory problems, potentially serious cardiac arrhythmias and controlling seizures. There is no specific antidote but activated charcoal given orally has been shown to significantly reduce the half-life of theobromine. It has been shown in dogs that theophylline can be re-absorbed from the bladder and that other methylxanthines may have this capacity as well. It may then be advantageous to catheterize the bladder to prevent re-absorption of theobromide. However, this has not been established.
It is the responsibility of veterinarians to educate the pet owning public about the potentially dangerous intoxication that chocolate can induce in dogs.
Emesis
The 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide has been used successfully as an emetic agent. Stronger concentrations may be more of a problem- since it is an oxidative agent. The general dose is 5 mls/ 5 pounds- not to exceed 3 tablespoons. It may be repeated once.
General notes on emetics below:
Emesis is most productive if performed within 2-3 hours post ingestion. Feeding a small moist meal before inducing vomiting can increase chances of an adequate emesis. Emetics generally empty 40-60% of the stomach contents and are assumed to be more beneficial than gastric lavages. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and potbelly pigs are examples of house pets that can vomit. Emetics should not be used in rodents, rabbits, birds, horses, and ruminants.
Emesis is contraindicated with ingestion of alkalis, acids, corrosive agents, or hydrocarbons. Pre-existing condition of the animal also determines the indication for using an emetic. Emesis should not be induced in an animal that has a history of epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, or is debilitated. Recent histories of abdominal surgery or potential for a gastric torsion are other factors that would make emesis a contraindication. Emesis should not be attempted if the animal has already vomited or is exhibiting clinical signs.
Emetic Agents
Three-percent hydrogen peroxide is an effective emetic for the dog, pig, ferret, and cat. Do not induce emesis in rodents, rabbits, birds, horses, or ruminants. The dosage is 1 teaspoon per 5 lbs., not to exceed 3 tablespoons. Hydrogen peroxide causes vomiting through mild gastric irritation. Vomiting usually occurs within minutes and can be repeated once if not initially successful.
Dr. Frank Akawi, DVM, MS, Phd, CVA
www.acupunctureonpets.com
Don't forget to look at the ingredients of your dog food. If there is any wheat, corn, soy, gluten or by-products, THROW IT OUT and go for natural foods. The first three ingredients in the dog food is 80% of what is in the kibble - make certain none of the above mentioned, in any form, are one of the first three ingredients! Some excellent natural foods are Natural Balance, California Natural, Innova, Evo, Canidae, to name a few. Remember the recall on dog food? Science Diet and Royal Canin were two of the worse! Please read the ingredients and become educated on the foods you feed your beloved pets!
I just try to play if safe and keep any and all chocolate far away from my pets.
-Jack @ Dangerous Animals
I give my Chihuahua bits of Hershey bar when I'm eating it because she loves it and pesters me to death as soon as she smells it. And don't say I am a crappy pet owner. I love that dog more than you can imagine. She sleeps next to me, goes with me everywhere but work in the car...she is my constant friend. And the chocolate does nothing to her. I originally found this out when my daughter left her Easter basket on the floor and Baby pigged up God knows how many Kisses and other chocolate candy with nary a symptom. I have always heard it was bad for dogs but my little one seems to have no problem digesting it.
hi, You have to keep an eye on that girl of your daughter. Make sure you are watching what you are putting down. out of her reach.
I don't understand this warning. I've had 2 dogs who ate chocolate without repurcussions - not even diarrhea. One was a chocoholic. Ate a whole pound of chocolate. I have never heard of a dog - and I know lots - who ever suffered from chocolate. are there some breeds that are vulnerable?
Our family pet, Smoky, (half Lab and half Pit bull) was just one of the neighborhood kids. At birthday parties he had his own paper plate with chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream (plus he cleaned up the leftover sweets if there was any). He loved it, with NO side effects.
the size of the dog type of it matters. for a lab mix it would take a entire 2 layer cake for him to get posiond. but on a small dog what you gave him woulda been in the danger zone. for the chawa owner it was take 3 candy bars worh to posion your dog. so both owners did not give enough to couse the sine effects. its still never a good idea to do it being every dog is diffrent and other may react to lesser amounts.
Omg. my dog has been through so much. Once she went down the hill in our backyard, and we tried to get her to come back, when to coyotes attacked her she fought them off, and my brother was just going to run down the hill to get her when, Lassie (my dog) stepped into the light, and the coyotes dashed off and ran away. She also ate 3 giant see's candy pumpkins, like 20 chocolate chip cookies, five blue berry muffins, and once i had to leave the table to go to the bathroom, and when i was coming back i saw her jump up and bite a huge piece of chicken from my plate. Once Lassie chased a car, and the car ran over her foot. We were amazed she hadn't died. Once we were going to a party and we were going to bring all this stuff like lemon bars, chocolate, cookies, and a bunch of other stuff. Once the gardeners left open our gate, and Lassie ran away for a couple hours, but she was loyal and came back. It is amazing she hasn't died yet. She's 6, so she should live for somemore years before she died. None of my dogs have died yet, so i don't know how it will feel if she is gone.