What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?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: Show
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 KIT KAT Wafer Bar Peanut M&M's REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk) Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding Doughnut, cake-type, chocolate,
sugared or glazed Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies , made with margarine Hershey's Chocolate Syrup Milky
Way Hershey's KISSES (Milk Chocolate) Generic Hot Fudge Sundae Topping Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Bar REESE'S PIECES
Candy Cookies, brownies, commercially prepared aThe amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety. Foods Highest in Theobromine
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. "CAFFEINE & THEOBROMINE." The Hershey Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. How long does it take for a dog to show signs of chocolate poisoning?Chocolate is toxic to dogs and could cause a medical emergency. Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours.
Can a dog recover from chocolate poisoning?The ASPCA Poison Control estimates twenty-five percent of dogs with chocolate poisoning recover within two days, however even with treatment, one in one hundred dogs with chocolate poisoning never recover.
What if my dog ate chocolate but seems fine?Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health concerns.
How long does it take to get chocolate out of a dog's system?A vet will be able to act quickly to treat all signs of poisoning. Generally, with prompt treatment, dogs that have eaten chocolate are back to their usual selves within a day or two.
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