what to do if your dog eats chocolate

Dogs suffering from seizures may need to be monitored at the clinic overnight. A 10-pound dog can easily eat a pound of chocolate.”. If you know your dog has ingested chocolate, or has any of the symptoms1 below, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680 or your veterinarian right away. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Raw Dog Food: Dietary Concerns, Benefits, and Risks. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): “Warning: Cocoa Bean Mulch Harmful to Dogs.”. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. If you think your pooch might've eaten chocolate -- especially the darker kinds -- call your vet right away. Steps to take if your dog ate chocolate: Give your dog a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. A chocolate dog poisonous emergency is caused by the canine toxin theobromine. If the vet is unfamiliar with your dog, let them know the animalâs size and weight. Remember, with any poisoning, itâs â¦ The ASPCA’s 24-hour poison hotline (888-426-4435) receives about 27 calls a day involving dogs and chocolate. Use shredded pine, cedar, or hemlock bark instead, the ASPCA suggests. Learn how much is too much, which types of chocolate are the most dangerous, and what signs to look for that may signal your dog needs treatment. Knowing how much and what kind of chocolate your dog ate is key. If you suspect your dog had too much chocolate, you will want to induce vomiting in your dog and give him a dose of activated charcoal to help decontaminate your dogâ¦ Here are a few types of chocolate listed in order of theobromine content: Knowing how much and what kind of chocolate your dog ate can help you and your vet determine if you have an emergency. While we all know these fur-babies are like our children, it is important to keep level-headed. Offer toys, a stuffed Kong, a favorite blanket, and treats to help him feel like the crate is his personal den. 1 thing we get calls about, but it’s way up there,” Wismer says. "Chocolate â¦ Depending on the size of your dog, the type of chocolate your dog ate and how much, your dog may need to be treated. âChocolate contains two â¦ And unlike most cats, which don’t have a sweet tooth, dogs will eat almost anything. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Call ASPCAâs Poison Control Hotline. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and could cause a medical emergency. We chose not to induce vomiting because I worry about that being my go to remedy when my dog eats something that he shouldn't. Most dogs survive because of quick-acting owners, says Kinnarney, who's also president of the Reidsville Veterinary Clinic in North Carolina. In severe cases, symptoms can last up to 72 hours. The most common way vets treat chocolate poisoning is to use fluids and IV drugs, he says. Even though small amounts of milk chocolate may not cause a problem in larger dogs, it’s still not recommended that pet owners offer their dog chocolate as a treat. If you have a small dog that has eaten a box of chocolates, you need to call and go to your veterinarian right away. “They will eat as much as they can get ahold of. News releases, American Veterinary Medical Association. My Dog Ate Chocolate! © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. He's the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association. ASPCA: “ASPCA Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening,” “Why is Chocolate Bad for Dogs?”. But 1 ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight could still be deadly. Veterinary practices have chocolate calculators on hand, so the vet will have a good idea if the amount of chocolate consumed by an animal of your dogâ¦ Download the AKC create training e-book to get started. Your â¦ Tell your vet the type of chocolate your dog ate and how much you think he consumed. The dosage is based on your dog's weight, but a single dose of 1/4 teaspoon may be enough to make your dog throw up after eating chocolate. According to Kristen Levine, pet parenting expert and creator of Pet Living, while chocolate tastes delicious for humans, it can actually be toxic for pets like cats and dogs. Mix the peroxide with water or vanilla ice-cream to make it more palatable to your pup and easier to â¦ In simpler terms, that means a very concerning dose of chocolate is approximately one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight. It’s also a very easy command to teach. If you think your dog ate chocolate, don't wait for warning signs, Wismer says. All rights reserved. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and depending on the type and amount of chocolate consumed and the weight of your dog, it could cause a serious medical emergency. Based on your dogâs size and the amount and type of â¦ Crate train your dog: The safest way to ensure your dog doesn’t eat anything harmful while you’re not supervising him is to crate train him. What should I do if my dog eats chocolate? Dogs love eating chocolate but what happens to them is dependent on their weight, the type of chocolate, and how long it has been since they consumed chocolate. Think twice before you spread cocoa shell mulch on your property. Most dog owners are aware that chocolate is a big no-no for dogs. Chocolate is harmful to dogs because it contains theobromine. If you are not able to get your dog to vomit, feed him something that he loves to eat. In general, mild symptoms of chocolate toxicity occur when a dog consumes 20 mg of methylxanthines per kilogram of body weight. The effects of theobromine are similar to coffee as it is a stimulant. First and foremost, stay calm. Your â¦ For example, they'll use a drug called apomorphine to force vomiting, stomach pumping to flush the stomach with fluids, and medicine called activated charcoal to prevent the chocolate from getting into your dog’s blood. Merck/Merial Manual for Veterinary Health, calculate your dog’s risk of toxicity with this easy-to-use program. To induce vomiting, make a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water and pour between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, â¦ The Merck Veterinary Manual, online edition. Planning ahead is â¦ Don't worry, we have you covered! Help! The receptionist will likely ask you to bring your dog into the clinic right away so that the vet can assess the pet and decide whether to induce vomiting and give something to deal with any â¦ Vets judge a dog’s condition and then decide on the right treatment, says Joseph Kinnarney, DVM. Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours after your dog has eaten it, may last up to 72 hours, and include the following: Note: Older dogs and dogs with heart conditions are more at risk of sudden death from chocolate poisoning. Remind your children and guests that chocolate should be kept out of the dog’s reach and not left on countertops, tables, or in purses. Since an average Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar is 1.55 ounces, consuming even one chocolate bar can have serious consequences, especially for small dogs. So, if you find your dog is poisoned by chocolate, what can you do for first aid treatment at home? , the veterinarian may prefer you bring the dog into the clinic vomit on their own: Bean. Effects of theobromine are similar to coffee as it is important to keep level-headed veterinarian or. Out of hours, your nearest vets Now president-elect of the Reidsville Veterinary clinic, North Carolina your puppy are. Because of quick-acting owners, says vet Tina Wismer, DVM appear within 6 to 12 hours on their.! Milder symptoms what to do if your dog eats chocolate restlessness, vomiting, and dry cocoa powder are dangerous... Get your dog vomit or simply watch their behavior, says Kinnarney, DVM 10-pound dog can eat. For first aid treatment at home eats chocolate toys, a favorite blanket, how! 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