Chocolate!

Although chocolate isn’t the first thing that pops into mind when you think of Christmas, it is a common treat at this time of year. We all know chocolate isn’t good for our dogs but why is this?

What is the dangerous ingredient in Chocolate?

Chocolate contains a natural chemical compound called ‘theobromine’, this is a stimulant and falls into the same family as caffeine. Theobromine stimulates the cardiovascular system, central nervous system and increases blood pressure.

What does this do to our pets?

Animals such as dogs, horses and cats are unable to metabolize theobromine as quickly as humans can which mean the effects are much more severe in our pets. The side effects from toxic levels of theobromine include; vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, increased urination, excessive panting, whining, dehydration, digestive problems, seizure and a rapid heart rate. Some of these symptoms can lead to a fatal result.

How much is too much Chocolate?

This all depends on the individual dog, their size, age and also what sort of chocolate they have eaten. Obviously the larger the dog, the more theobromine they can handle, though an older dog would have less chance of survival.
In regards to the chocolate, cocoa powder contains around 16 times as much theobromine as milk chocolate. The most popular forms of chocolate fall somewhere between these two, with white chocolate being the exception, containing insignificant amounts of theobromine.

In saying this, it is not safe for your dog to consume chocolate. Being that there is no set amount that is safe for any dog to consume, it is better to be safe than sorry. Any of the symptoms that can come from theobromine toxin can escalate quickly and result in a fatal situation. For these reasons it is best to avoid giving your dog chocolate at any point. If you have found they have consumed some, regardless of the amount, it is best to seek veterinary advice immediately.