If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, or they have any of these symptoms, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian or emergency vet right away:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased body temperature
- Increased reflex responses
- Muscle rigidity
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)
Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit!
COMMON CHOCOLATE SOURCES:
Ice Cream Rich Chocolate
Serving: 1 cup ( 148g)
Theobromine: 178mg
Caffeine: 5.9mg
KIT KAT Wafer Bar
Serving: 1 bar (42g)
Theobromine: 48.7mg
Caffeine: 5.9mg
Peanut M&M's
Serving: 1 cup (170g)
Theobromine: 184mg
Caffeine: 17mg
REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk)
Serving: 2 cups (45g)
Theobromine: 32.4mg
Caffeine: 3.2mg
Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding
Serving: 4 oz (108g)
Theobromine: 75.6mg
Caffeine: 2.2mg
Doughnut, cake-type, chocolate, sugared or glazed
Serving: 1 Doughnut (3' dia) (43g)
Theobromine: 12.6mg
Caffeine: 0.6mg
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar
Serving: 1.55 oz (43g)
Theobromine: 64mg
Caffeine: 9mg
Chocolate Chip Cookies , made with margarine
Serving: 1 Cookie Med (2 1/4" dia) (16g)
Theobromine: 20.3mg
Caffeine: 2.6mg
Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
Serving: 2 Tbsp (39g)
Theobromine: 64mg
Caffeine: 5mg
Milky Way
Serving: 1 bar (58g)
Theobromine: 37.1 mg
Caffeine: 3.5mg
Hershey's KISSES (Milk Chocolate)
Serving: 9 pieces (41g)
Theobromine: 61mg
Caffeine: 9mg
Generic Hot Fudge Sundae Topping
Serving: 1 Sundae (158g)
Theobromine: 77.4mg
Caffeine: 1.6mg
Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Bar
Serving: 1 Tbsp (15g)
Theobromine: 55mg
Caffeine: 7mg
REESE'S PIECES Candy
Serving: 1 package (46g)
Theobromine: 0mg
Caffeine: 0mg
Cookies, brownies, commercially prepared
Serving: 1 Square (2 –3/4" sq x 7/8") (56g)
Theobromine: 43.7mg
Caffeine: 1.1mg
aThe amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety.
Foods Highest in Theobromine
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali [Dutch cocoa]1 cup (86g)2266 mg67.1 mgBaking chocolate, unsweetened, squares1 cup, grated (132g)1712 mg106 mgCocoa, dry powder, unsweetened1 cup (86g)1769 mg198 mgBaking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid1 oz (28g)447 mg13.2 mgPuddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix1 Package (40g)238 mg7.2 mgDesserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix1 Package, 2 oz (57g)242 mg7.4 mgPuddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, instant, dry mix1 Package, 1.4oz box (40g)189 mg5.6 mgSyrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup2 tbsp (35g)68.3 mg2.1 mgCocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali1 oz (28g)685 mg20.2 mgCandies, chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solidsI bar (101g)810 mg80.8 mgCocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain1 Tbsp (5g)92.6 mg10.3mg
What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?
Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger.
For instance, 8 ounces (a ½ pound) of milk chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, whereas a dog of the same size can be poisoned by as little as 1 ounce of Baker's chocolate!
Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans?
Humans can break down and excrete methylxanthines such as theobromine much more efficiently than dogs.
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Are you a chocoholic? It’s OK to admit it! Who doesn’t just love the taste of chocolate? Chocolate is one of those perfect treats. Unfortunately, dogs also love this wonderful treat. It’s not unfortunate because you have to share it with them. It’s because chocolate is toxic to dogs. Too much of this yummy stuff can make them very sick.
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Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs
Even something as small as a Hershey’s Kiss is enough to make a dog sick. Well, one Kiss may not make a dog sick (depend on the size of the dog). But if your fur baby has eaten several of these sweet treats, he could become very sick.
Can My Dog Be Lactose Intolerant?
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Can My Dog Be Lactose Intolerant?Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is what makes dogs sick. Theobromine acts like a diuretic, heart stimulant, and even works to dilate blood vessels, as well as relax smooth muscles. This substance has the same effect on both dogs and humans.
However, while humans can break down theobromine quickly, dogs break down the substance much slower. In fact, it can take up to 18 hours for a dog to process theobromine. In dogs, theobromine can cause heart problems, respiratory failure, and more.
Different Types of Chocolate are More Toxic
To make matters confusing when it comes to toxicity, some types of chocolate are more toxic to dogs than others. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is for our canine companions. Milk chocolate is the least toxic.
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Here are some figures to give you an idea:
- Milk chocolate is toxic at 0.7 oz (1.98 grams) per pound of body weight
- Semi-sweet chocolate is toxic at 0.3 oz (0.85 grams) per pound of body weight
- Dark chocolate is toxic at 0.1 oz (0.28 grams) per pound of body weight
When it comes to Hershey’s Kisses (the Milk Chocolate type):
- 9 pieces weigh 41 grams
- Theobromine: 61 mg
So, if your fur baby has eaten several Hershey’s Kisses, you’ll need to call the vet right away. Be sure to note the type of chocolate in the Kisses, as well as about how many your dog’s eaten. This information will help the vet.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs
The vet will run some blood test and a urinalysis and may even perform an EKG to monitor your dog’s heart function. After this, the vet may induce vomiting, use activated charcoal and other therapies that help your dog’s body to get rid of the toxin. Your fur baby may also need to be treated for heart issues and other symptoms such as tremors if these are present. He may also need to stay in the hospital for a few days to make sure he’s OK.
The prognosis is pretty good if a dog receives fast medical treatment for chocolate toxicity. And if your dog has a penchant for chocolate, be sure to keep it out of his reach in the future.