Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?

‘Can dogs eat chocolate’ is a frequently asked question. The answer is no, chocolate is dangerous for dogs even in small amounts. Dogs and chocolate are not a good combination, as chocolate is toxic to them. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are methylxanthine alkaloids, naturally occurring chemicals found in the cocoa bean. This means they act as stimulants that can affect the central nervous system, heart rate, and even increase urination. When these compounds are isolated and concentrated, they can even be used in medicine for cardiac stimulation, muscle relaxation, blood vessel dilation, and as diuretics, which explains how powerful and dangerous it can be in the right amount.

When we humans eat chocolate, our bodies can handle the chemicals so that these substances only give us a boost. When a dog eats chocolate, however, they cannot metabolize these compounds in the same way, making them much more sensitive to the powerful effects. This is the reason for the negative side effects that occur when a dog tastes chocolate and can even lead to chocolate poisoning.

This might sound like a simple question, but there are a number of factors to consider before you can figure out exactly how much chocolate is toxic to a dog. On average, about 100-150 milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of body weight is toxic. This means you first need to know the dog's weight and the amount of theobromine in the chocolate they ate. So how do you know how much theobromine the chocolate contains?

White chocolate

3.5mg per 100g

Milk chocolate

220mg per 100g

Dark chocolate

550mg per 100g

Baking chocolate

1570mg per 100g

Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst for dogs because they contain the highest levels of theobromine, while milk chocolate is slightly better and white chocolate contains the smallest amounts. This does not mean you can give your dog white chocolate, as it still contains small amounts of the chemical and is also full of fats and sugars that can make your dog sick. Chocolate cakes can be one of the most dangerous foods your dog can eat, as they not only contain high levels of baking chocolate, but are also rich in sugar and fat that your dog should not consume.

Once you know what type of chocolate your dog has eaten, you can gauge the toxicity levels based on the dog's size. A smaller dog only needs to consume a small amount, while a larger dog can eat more before the chocolate causes as much damage. Again, this does not mean that larger dogs can eat chocolate, but it only makes it easier to indicate how serious the problem might be. You also need to consider their age and health. A young, healthy dog may cope better than an older dog that already has health problems. If you need help calculating how toxic the chocolate your dog has eaten is, you can try our practical chocolate toxicity calculator for dogs.

Has your dog eaten chocolate? If you are not sure if the dog has eaten chocolate or if you do not know how much chocolate the dog managed to eat, there are some symptoms to look out for. These vary depending on how much and what type of chocolate the dog has eaten, as well as how the dog's body reacts to it. If you notice the following symptoms (or see your dog eating chocolate) you should immediately seek veterinary attention:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity

• Panting
• Increased urination
• Rapid pulse
• Tremors (muscle twitching)
• Seizures

Chocolate can have a variety of effects on a dog's body depending on the amount, the concentration of theobromine and caffeine, and the source and quality of the cocoa beans. Chocolate poisoning in dogs usually affects their central nervous system, heart, and kidneys, and symptoms typically begin to appear between four and twenty-four hours after they have eaten chocolate.

If you think your dog has ingested chocolate or if you have seen the dog eat it, start by making sure your dog cannot get any more. Remove the chocolate and try to get remnants out of the dog's mouth if they are still chewing. Try to figure out how much chocolate the dog has eaten and what type of chocolate it was.

If the dog has ingested a harmful amount, you should immediately seek veterinary attention. If you are unsure, you should take the dog to a veterinarian just to be safe, even if they have only eaten a small amount. They can make a diagnosis and give them the necessary treatment. If it is chocolate poisoning the dog has suffered, the veterinarian usually treats them by inducing vomiting or by giving the dog activated charcoal to prevent theobromine from being absorbed by the body. There are also other treatment methods if these do not help or the situation is more serious and acute.

Once your dog has recovered after eating chocolate and the chemicals have been completely removed from the body, you can start replenishing the nutrients the dog has lost due to chocolate poisoning, for example, through vomiting and diarrhea. You can do this by giving them a natural multivitamin supplement for dogs, or by increasing the dog's vitamin and mineral intake to ensure the dog's diet is balanced again.

You may have seen some products marketed specifically as dog chocolate, but these do not contain real chocolate. Dog chocolate may look like real chocolate but contains carob, also called locust bean, instead of real chocolate. Carob is a powder made from carob beans. It does not contain theobromine or caffeine and is therefore safe for dogs. Carob is also high in fiber but low in sugar and fat, making it a perfect dog treat. However, be careful to read the ingredients when you buy dog chocolate. If the product only contains carob instead of chocolate, you can safely give it to your four-legged friend, but avoid anything that contains chocolate, even if it is in minimal amounts and marketed for dogs.

Now you have basic information about dogs and chocolate, including what amounts of chocolate are dangerous for dogs, why it is toxic, and what to do if your dog has eaten chocolate. The next time someone asks, 'can dogs eat chocolate?' you will know immediately that the answer is always no! If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, try to figure out how much the dog has eaten and what type of chocolate, to better understand how serious the situation is. Then seek veterinary attention who can help treat your dog and give you tips and advice. The best thing you can do, however, is to make sure your dog does not get access to chocolate in the first place!