As we approach Easter weekend the supermarket aisles are full of chocolate eggs, bunnies and goodies so we thought that we would remind readers about just how toxic chocolate can be to some dogs.
As a dog owner you’re probably well aware of the fact that chocolate is poisonous to dogs – but what often isn’t so clear is how much is poisonous?
Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine – a natural product produced by the cocoa bean. Theobromine is not something we humans need to worry about, we would have to consume a lot of chocolate to suffer even mild theobromine poisoning. unfortunately for dogs, it is easier for them to consume enough chocolate to become poisoned.
The level of theobromine and caffeine in chocolate varies between the type of chocolate, the brand and the fact that the natural occurrence of these substances in cocoa beans is variable.
- White chocolate – 1.1 mg of theobromine and caffeine per ounce of chocolate;
- Milk chocolate – 64 mg of theobromine and caffeine per ounce of chocolate;
- Dark sweet chocolate – 150 mg of theobromine and caffeine per ounce of chocolate;
- Instant cocoa powder – 151 mg of theobromine and caffeine per ounce of chocolate;
- Unsweetened baking chocolate – 440 mg of theobromine and caffeine per ounce of chocolate; and
- Dry coca powder – 808 mg of theobromine and caffeine per ounce of chocolate.
If you come home to find your stash of Easter eggs has been devoured by your dog, then you should call your vet immediately as they can administer activated charcoal, which can stop the uptake of theobromine into your dog’s blood and or give the dog something to make the dog vomit.
However if you’re not sure whether it was your dog or your kids that munched all those chocolate eggs, signs to watch out for in your dog include:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Excitability or irritability
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle tremors
If you notice any of the above, then you know your kids weren’t lying and it was the dog who ate all the chocolate! If this is the case, then again, be sure to contact your vet as soon as possible.
So what can you do to stop your dog getting at all that chocolate? Well many of us will be buying a lot of Easter eggs this Easter – especially if you have a few children, so be sure to hide them well!
Make sure you keep your Easter eggs preferably in high-up cupboards, away from the dogs!
Have a happy Easter and enjoy all that chocolate!