Chocolate and Dogs

What do you do if your dog eats chocolate? What can you expect to see and how quickly until you see the signs? When should you jump into the car and race off to the emergency clinic?

Background information:

The pet dangerous components of chocolate that pose a risk to your dog or cat's health are caffeine, theophylline and theobromine (Known as "methylxanthines"). These are the substances that result in what we refer to as "chocolate toxicity" syndrome or poisoning. The methylxanthines are naturally found in plants, foods, beverages, and several human and veterinary medications.

Mild reactions may be seen after ingestion of 20 mg/kg. Moderate to severe reactions may be seen at doses over 40 mg/kg. Severe reactions, seizures and death may occur at doses of over 40 - 45 mg/kg. The "LD 50″ dose refers to the dose at which half or 50% of the animals will die after ingestion or exposure (based on laboratory research). The LD50 of caffeine and theobromine in dogs and cats is 100-200 mg/kg. The LD50 for theophylline is 300 mg/kg (dogs) and 700 mg/kg (cats). However, animals can and do die from exposures well below the LD50. If in any doubt, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible!

Clinical Signs Usually occur within 6-12 hours after ingestion. These clinical signs include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hyperactivity
Tremors
Seizures
Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
Death in severe cases

It takes nearly 4 days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog's system. If the chocolate was only just eaten, it is possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalization and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.

More Detailed Information:
Theobromine is a methylxanthine occurring as the major alkaloid in chocolate and cocoa powder. This is the substance that is chiefly responsible for chocolate poisoning in dogs and other pets.

Treatment is recommended for ingestion of more than 20 mg/kg body weight of Theobromine or equivalent (roughly 40 mg per pound of body weight).

Theobromine content per gram of chocolate product
White chocolate - 0.009 mg (9 ppm)
Drinking chocolate (dry) - 0.5 mg
Milk chocolate - 1.5-2.2 mg
Plain (Dark)chocolate - 45-16 mg
Cocoa powder - 5.3-26 mg
Cocoa beans - 1143 mg
Cocoa shell mulches (Yard Mulch)- 14-30 mg

The following amounts of the following substances may cause problems:

7 g (0.25 oz) baking chocolate per kilogram (kg) body weight
56 g (2 oz) of milk chocolate per kilogram (kg) body weight
11.2 kg (400 oz) of white chocolate per kilogram (kg) body weight

* Remember that 1 kg = 2.2 lbs ( Ex: A Dog weighing 10kg = 22lbs). Divide your pets weight by 2.2 to convert from lbs to kg units.

* If there is any doubt as to how much chocolate your dog has ingested, consult your veterinarian immediately! In fact, you should consult your veterinarian in any case where you suspect that your dog have ingested any toxic or harmful substance.

Use our handy calculator to help determine the severity of the relative risk to your dog.: Dog Chocolate Calculator