Chocolate is a yummy treat. It's one of the best sweets out there, with many variations available in the market. You probably enjoy eating a chocolate bar every once in a while, right?
While there is nothing wrong with eating chocolates occasionally, you should note that chocolate isn't for everyone. Your beloved dog, for example, can't eat chocolate.
What Makes It Toxic for Dogs?
Chocolates contain theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. These chemicals are structurally identical to each other, and they belong to a group of chemicals called methylxanthines. It is dangerous for dogs because they cannot metabolize these chemicals fast, especially theobromine.
When dogs ingest caffeine, they reach peak serum (the non-cell part of the blood) levels after 30 to 60 minutes, and they eliminate half of it in 4.5 hours. However, when they ingest theobromine, they will not reach peak serum levels until 10 hours have passed. And it will take 17.5 hours for them to eliminate half of it.
How Much Chocolate Is Poisonous to Dogs?
The amount of theobromine that is toxic to dogs depends on the type of chocolate. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Baking chocolate and gourmet dark chocolate contain 130 mg to 450 mg of theobromine per ounce. On the other hand, milk chocolate contains 44 mg to 58 mg of theobromine per ounce, and white chocolate contains only 0.25 mg of theobromine per ounce.
Even if your dog ingested chocolates and the amount of toxicity is not a concern, they can still become ill from the fate and sugar in the chocolate. In severe cases, it can lead to pancreatitis or sensitive stomachs. Instead of giving your dog a bar of chocolate as a treat, why not choose other treats, like CBD treats, instead?
What Are the Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning?
The symptoms of chocolate poisoning depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. For most dogs, the common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting, restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. The symptoms include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure in severe cases.
These symptoms can take hours to develop and can last for days due to the long half-life of theobromine. It means it remains in the bloodstream for a more extended period, which can be reabsorbed from the bladder. As such, intravenous fluids and frequent walks to encourage urination are necessary to combat this.
What Should I Do Next?
Immediately visit your local veterinarian to check whether your dog has ingested a toxic amount of chocolate. If that is the case, your dog must undergo treatment, depending on the amount and type of chocolate eaten. To treat it early, your dog will undergo decontamination, which includes vomiting and the administration of activated charcoal.
Supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid therapy are also common, and this is done to help stabilize your dog. They should be closely monitored as well, and your local veterinarian might prescribe medication for your dog. Since prevention is better than cure, try switching to CBD treats for dogs, which you can find in your local pet store or holistic pet store.
Conclusion
Chocolate is delicious for fur parents, but it's not the best treat for dogs, considering it contains theobromine, a toxic chemical dangerous to dogs. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and racing heart rate. It may even lead to death in some cases due to its long half-life.
To prevent chocolatey disasters from happening, you must be extra cautious with leaving chocolates around the house. If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate, head to your local veterinarian immediately. They will help your dog with decontamination and supportive treatments, if necessary. This will help your dog return to full health.
Now, if you're looking for dog-friendly treats for your beloved pet, do come over to Wags to Wiskers. We are a holistic pet store in Ludington, carrying various pet supplies to cater to fur parents. Visit us today or place an order for pet treats via email.