catalogs logo
catalogs.com logo

What to do when your dog eats chocolate

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

What to do when your dog eats chocolate

What to do when your dog eats chocolate

Any pet owner worth their salt knows that dogs and chocolate do not mix. This little bit of general knowledge has resulted in millions of panicked phone calls to vet offices across the nation. During particularly candy-centric holidays, (Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Easter) it’s easy for dogs to get their paws on chocolate, no matter how many precautions you may take, which is why it’s important to know exactly what to do when your dog eats chocolate.

Although chocolate spells doom for devoted pet owners, people outside of vet offices seem to know very little about the correlation between chocolate and canine health. Knowing exactly why chocolate is considered dangerous to dogs can help you combat the problem. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is an alkaloid that can affect canine nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Many dog owners will be happy and relieved to know that milk chocolate is only harmful in very large quantities. Other chocolates such as semisweet and baker’s chocolate can be dangerous, and sometimes lethal, in much smaller doses.

In order to determine what to do when your dog eats chocolate, use these simple guidelines in order to determine whether your pet’s health is at risk:

Before you continue reading about the What to do when your dog eats chocolate there is a special announcement we would like to share with you. Catalogs.com has negotiated special medicare rates for our vibrant community of seniors. If you are over the age of 60, you can head over to our Seniors Health Section which is full of information about medicare. All you need is your zip code and a few minutes of your time to potentially save 100s of dollars on your medicare bills.

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!

  • 1 ounce of milk chocolate per 1 pound of dog weight
  • 1 ounce of semisweet chocolate per 3 pounds of dog weight
  • 1 ounce of baker’s chocolate per 9 pounds of dog weight  
~
What to do when your dog eats chocolate:

1. What, How and When?
The first step in figuring out what to do when your dog eats chocolate is determining what kind of chocolate they ate. Secondly, you should determine how much chocolate was ingested. Lastly, it is important to determine when the dog ingested the chocolate. If you’re unable to determine the what, how and when, you should contact your veterinarian as a precaution.

2. Treatment
It is always important to contact a veterinarian before attempting home treatment. Depending on your circumstances, your vet may suggest home treatment. When treating your dog for chocolate poisoning, your veterinarian will instruct you to induce vomiting by giving them a hydrogen peroxide solution or Ipecac. How much will depend upon the weight of your dog. Once your dog has vomited, you will then have to administer charcoal tablets, powder or liquid to prevent the poison from absorbing into your dogs blood stream.

3. Watch for symptoms
If you followed your veterinarians instructions for home treatment, it is important to monitor your dog for symptoms of poisoning. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased irritability, muscle tremors and hyperactivity. These symptoms usually present themselves within the first few hours after ingestion. If your dog develops any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.

It is always wise to keep poison control information on hand for your dog, and to have access to a 24 hour veterinarian.


 

Popular Savings Offers

 

cc

Top Deals

See All

Recent Posts

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!

Categories

Saving Tools

Follow Us

Logo

Since 1996, Catalogs.com has been considered the web's catalog shopping authority. Our trends experts have carefully reviewed thousands of catalogs and online stores and have featured only the most respected, distinctive, and trusted ones. From popular favorites to new discoveries, you'll shop and save with exclusive coupon codes!

Invitations for applications for insurance on Catalogs.com are made through QuoteLab, LLC and transparent.ly. Submission of your information constitutes permission for an agent to contact you with additional information about the cost and coverage details of health and auto insurance plans. Descriptions are for informational purposes only and subject to change. Insurance plans may not be available in all states. For a complete description, please call to determine eligibility and to request a copy of the applicable policy. Catalogs.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.