How to Treat a Dog Who Ate Chocolate: 8 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

FAQs

How to flush chocolate out of a dog's system? ›

If your pet consumed the chocolate less than two hours ago, your veterinarian may induce vomiting in your dog and give them several doses of activated charcoal, which works to move the toxins out of the body without being absorbed into the bloodstream.

You should call your veterinarian immediately. Chocolate is slow to absorb in the body, so you may not notice symptoms until 2 to 12 hours after the dog ate it, but it is still crucial for their survival that you call the vet as soon as you notice.

What to do if your dog eats chocolate. If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, time is of the essence. It's crucial to contact your veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic immediately.

The clinical signs seen vary based on the amount of chocolate ingested and the dog's size but may occur within 2-12 hours after ingestion. Clinical signs can last 12-36 hours, sometimes longer in severe toxicities. The signs of chocolate toxicity may include the following: Vomiting.

Start with bland boiled white rice. Give him small amounts to lick off a spoon or your fingers. Watch your dog closely to see how his system responds to the rice. If he is not vomiting and does not have diarrhea, give him more boiled rice the next hour.

If your dog has not eaten enough chocolate to become toxic, but does show signs of diarrhea or upset stomach, a conservative treatment is to withhold all food for 12-24 hours or feed small amounts of an easily digested diet at more frequent intervals. Water should be offered at all times.

After administering activated charcoal your pet's stool will be black, which is perfectly normal. Dosage: 0.5 – 1.5 grams per pound of body weight (0.5 – 1.5 gm/lb); therefore a 5 lb dog would need 2.5 to 7.5 grams of activated charcoal. A 10 lb dog would need 5 – 15 grams. A 100 lb dog would need 50 to 150 grams.

For instance, the first symptoms of antifreeze poisoning can appear in as little as 30 minutes, whereas the symptoms of chocolate poisoning take between 6 and 12 hours to show up. Despite the potency of anticoagulant rat poisons, it can take 3-5 days after ingestion for dogs to show symptoms.

If your dog ate a small amount of chocolate such as a few M&Ms, it is unlikely they will experience any severe symptoms. However, dogs should not eat chocolate as it is toxic to pets. If your dog has consumed chocolate, you should seek treatment immediately and monitor them for signs of chocolate poisoning.

Symptoms of Chocolate Consumption in Dogs

The symptoms that your dog displays will vary depending on the amount of theobromine ingested. Mild symptoms range from lethargy and gastrointestinal upset to severe side effects that include hyperexcitability, racing heart, abnormal behavior, sedation, or seizures.

What breed of dog can eat chocolate? ›

No, dogs can't eat chocolate. Although not all canines are as susceptible to becoming ill from eating chocolate, it isn't good for any dog. Feeding your dog some of your Easter egg as a treat will probably have the opposite effect that you intend, and can result in some hefty vet bills.

In terms of chocolate toxicity in dogs, it's a matter of size not breed. All dogs can be affected, but the smaller your dog is the more susceptible they are to becoming poisoned.

There is no antidote to theobromine. In most cases, your vet will make your dog vomit. They may wash out the stomach and feed activated charcoal which will absorb any theobromine left in the intestine. Other treatments will depend on the signs your dog is showing.

Keep in mind that some of these symptoms take a few days to develop, while others become apparent immediately. The onset of symptoms often depends on factors like what your pet ate and how much they consumed, as well as your pet's size.

Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, contains a stimulant called theobromine which can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Theobromine has a long half-life, and it can stay in your dog's system for days. It can take 72 hours for the first symptoms of chocolate poisoning to begin to ease. This is why early treatment is so important, for chocolate and frankly any type of poisoning.

For dogs, raw and whole meals are good options. Organic meals, natural vegetarian sources, and even biodynamic foods are perfect! Foods like beetroots, carrots and even shredded coconut would work towards detoxifying your dog's gut! This food can clean out your dog's digestive system and prevent indigestion.

Clinical signs depend on the dose of theobromine ingested. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. In severe cases, symptoms can include cardiac arrhythmias, muscle tremors, and seizures.

Flush out all that sweet stuff from your system by hydrating ASAP with water or other low-sugar fluids, and foods high in water content. "Drink plenty of water and go for foods like watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries and yogurt," Seaver says.