Any ingestion of chocolate is bad for a dog; whether it eats a toxic dose, your dog could suffer some serious adverse reactions. Since even a small dose of theobromine is potentially toxic and possibly lethal for dogs, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.
All kinds of milk and dark chocolates contain methylxanthine (like theobromine). This chemical is poisonous to pets if ingested, and results in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, inflammation of the pancreas (i.e., pancreatitis), an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and in rare cases, death.
Threat to pets
It's the dose that makes the poison! Pets that ingest a few M&Ms or 1-2 bites of a chocolate chip cookie are unlikely to develop chocolate poisoning. For milk chocolate, any ingestion of more than 0.5 ounces per pound of body weight may put dogs at risk for chocolate poisoning.
Dark Chocolate: Use a scale of 1.5 ounces per 10 pounds of body weight. That's 3 ounces for a 20 pound dog. If they've ingested that much or more, it's time to call your vet. Milk Chocolate or Semi-sweet: A poisonous amount would be anything over 3.5 ounces- a standard size Hershey's bar- for a small 10 pound dog.
For milk chocolate, eating more than half an ounce per pound of body weight may put your dog at risk for chocolate poisoning. For dark or semi-sweet chocolate, eating more than 0.13 ounces per pound of body weight may cause chocolate poisoning in dogs.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning will usually show within six to 12 hours, but could appear within one hour. If you know your dog has eaten chocolate, act immediately and don't wait for the signs to appear. We always recommend seeking veterinary advice if you have any concerns about the health of your pets.
Vetted Pet Care suggests taking only three percent solution of Hydrogen Peroxide (not the concentrated six percent solution) and putting 1ml for every pound of body weight (so 16 ml for 16 pounds), into food or in a dropper to feed her to induce vomiting.
It won't hurt your dog. The amount of chocolate in a single M&M is negligible even for a very small dog. Even a whole 1.7-ounce packet of milk chocolate M&Ms could make a small dog sick, but it isn't likely to cause symptoms in a medium or large dog.
To put this in perspective, a medium-sized dog weighing 50 pounds would only need to eat 1 ounce of baker's chocolate, or 9 ounces of milk chocolate, to potentially show signs of poisoning. For many dogs, ingesting small amounts of milk chocolate is not harmful.
No, dogs should not eat candy. The sugar in candy harms your dog's health, and sugar-free varieties often contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and causes their blood sugar levels to drop.
Gastrointestinal distress: Dogs can't properly digest almonds. While consuming one or two might not cause any issues, too many can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, gas, lethargy and appetite loss.
It is worth mentioning that some poisoning symptoms in dogs will show up right away, whereas others might take a few hours after ingestion before they appear. In case you know that your dog has ingested something that might potentially be toxic or poisonous, you must not wait until any symptoms appear.
No. Milk is unlikely to be helpful in the vast majority of poisoning situations and can sometimes make things worse. Most pets are lactose intolerant and giving milk can cause or worsen stomach upset symptoms.
25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435).
Clinical signs of poisoning in a dog may include: Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhea, extreme salivation, loss of appetite, and nausea or dry heaving. Internal bleeding: indicated by pale gums, a racing heart, coughing up or vomiting blood, weakness or lethargy, or a dog's falling over or collapsing.
Treatment is required for dogs who have eaten 3.5g of dark chocolate for every kilogram they weigh and 14g of milk chocolate for every kilogram they weigh. Our emergency vets have created a helpful calculator to allow owners to check if their dog has eaten a toxic amount.
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper.
Yes, dogs can eat cheese. In fact, cheese is often a great training tool, especially for puppies. But should dogs eat cheese? While some dogs can eat cheese, and most dogs love it, many dogs can be intolerant of cheese.
Ingestion of granulated sugar may cause stomach upset and an imbalance of the bacteria that live in the gut. If your furry friend eats sugar, you might see vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and discomfort.
Dogs that eat only a few hard candies may get away with just an upset stomach, but dogs that eat more, or those that contain xylitol, may be in for a much more difficult ride. It can often start with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy and progress to lack of appetite, restlessness, panting, and abdominal pain.
If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, or they have any of these symptoms, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian or emergency vet right away: Vomiting. Diarrhea. Increased body temperature.
One piece of chocolate should not harm your dog, but multiple pieces can harm your dog. Clinical signs depend on how much and the type of chocolate ingested. Below are common signs to watch out for: Tremors in the muscles and limbs.
Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs can begin 2-24 hours after ingestion. These can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fast breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, hyperactivity, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). In severe cases, these can progress to heart failure, coma, and death.
“There will be bacteria in a dog's saliva,” a spokesperson for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says. “Probably just a word of caution on that. It's up to an owner whether they want to share something with their dog, but they could end up with an upset stomach.”
If your dog has eaten an edible with any amount of THC, you need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. Dogs that have consumed THC can be susceptible to THC toxicity. The effects of THC that give the “high” feeling that is normal to humans may be fairly harmful to dogs.