Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?

Sweet & sour

Learn about the mild and severe symptoms dogs experience from chocolate toxicity

Chocolate contains compounds called methylxanthines including both theobromine and caffeine. These drugs cause stimulation of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), stimulation of the heart muscle and diuresis (increased urination), as well as a number of other effects.

How to tell if your dog has eaten chocolate?

Clinical signs are generally seen within 2-4 hours of ingestion of chocolate. Severe clinical signs require veterinary attention.

Severe clinical signs include:

  • Vomiting and diarrhoea

  • Muscle tremors or muscle weakness

  • Seizures which can lead to unconsciousness

Mild signs generally include:

  • Restlessness

  • Anxiety

  • Hyper-excitability

Other toxicities such as pesticides, nicotine and antidepressants can also cause similar clinical signs. If you know your dog or cat ingested chocolate, you should seek veterinary advice immediately.

How much chocolate is lethal to pets?

The lethal dose of chocolate is provided in the table below. This is enough chocolate to kill the animal. 

Much less is required to make the animal unwell, and could still require treatment. 

Even if you are unsure how much was eaten you should seek veterinary assistance.

Chocloate toxicity table.jpg

Treatment for dogs that have eaten chocolate

Like many toxicities, chocolate toxicity is treated with supportive care (fluid support, oxygen supplementation) and symptomatic treatment (e.g. the control of seizures). 

Fully conscious animals that have ingested the chocolate recently can sometimes be made to vomit or given activated charcoal which binds and removes the toxin.

Treatments after this time depend on the amount of chocolate ingested and the clinical state of the patient.

Please call the team at Duncan McGinness Veterinary Surgery (02 6884 9900 or after hours 0418 638 380) if you have any questions regarding chocolate toxicity.

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