Last Updated on September 20, 2023
If you’re one of the people who haven’t had a pet dog all your life, then you’re probably just as confused as anyone as to why chocolate is deemed bad for dogs.
But what is in chocolate that gives it this reputation? Are there signs of chocolate intake? Is it applicable to all types of chocolate? Is there such thing as chocolate poisoning?
Well, this may be all answered by reading through today’s blog.
In this feature, we’re going to cover quite a wide ground relating to chocolate intake for dogs, and why its dangers can even lead to poisoning and death for our four-legged friends.
Let’s get right into it!
Can Dogs Have Chocolate?
Starting off with the matter at hand, chocolates have a reputation for being potentially dangerous to dogs.
Why, you ask?
This is because chocolates have certain components that don’t blend too well with a dog’s digestive system, such as theobromine (which is somewhat like a sort of caffeine). Theobromine also affects a dog’s central nervous system, kidneys, and even heart! Dogs have a hard time metabolizing this substance, unlike humans. This means that this toxic component has a tendency to build up in a dog’s body, making it harmful for them.
The Other Effects Of Theobromine
When your dog intakes this sweet snack, high doses of theobromine can result in seizures, muscle tremors, vomiting, internal bleeding, and even heart attack!
Are All Chocolate Types Dangerous?
According to studies, dark chocolate and bitter-tasting chocolates tend to be much dangerous for your pet. Milk chocolate affects your dog less but can be equally dangerous when eaten in great amounts.
Symptoms You Should Look Out For
When suspecting your dog to have eaten any type of chocolate or potential poisoning, you can always look out for clinical signs like hyperactivity, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, increased urination, and an abnormal heart rate. These symptoms tend to appear within the first 6 to 12 hours upon excessive intake.
My Dog Ate Chocolate. What Should I Do?
The first you should always do when you suspect your dog to have eaten chocolate is to contact your trusted veterinarian immediately. While you can always consider your dog’s size and type, it’s best to leave care and potential treatment to the professionals.
For light cases, vets usually rely on the vomiting method for your dog. Depending on how serious the case is, supplemental treatment can also be the way to go.
The Wrap Up
And there we have it! We hope this feature was able to answer some pending queries you have regarding the effects of chocolate on your dog. Of course, as responsible pet owners, we can always rely on proper diet, rewards system, and exercise to make sure our dogs stay in tip-top shape! Just remember to always be mindful of what your dog eats and you should turn out fine.
Related: Dogs & Chocolate
