What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate

We’ve all heard the warnings about dogs eating chocolate. Is it really toxic to dogs? Why is it so dangerous? And, probably the most important question, what to do if your dog eats chocolate? I’ll answer all of these questions in this quick guide.

Chocolate is made from the roasted seeds of cocoa plants. It contains a chemical called theobromine. Dogs do not metabolize theobromine as humans, so it can become toxic to them.

Too much chocolate will have detrimental effects on your dog’s cardiovascular and nervous systems – among other things. If your dog only ingests a small amount of chocolate, it will likely pass through his system with no issues. However, you should keep an out for signs of chocolate poisoning, such as:

• tremors
• sudden collapse
• muscle spasms
• abnormal heart rate
• seizures

If you believe that your dog has eaten chocolate, the best thing to do is call your veterinarian. They will help you decide whether a trip for medical care is warranted or not.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate
Home Remedies

A good rule of thumb to remember is that the darker and more bitter chocolate is, the more dangerous it is. White chocolate is not toxic, because it does not contain cocoa. Dark and baker’s chocolate are the worst, because they contain more theobromine.

Learning what to do if your dog eats chocolate is important to address before you actually need the information. You won’t have the time to do the research in the event of an emergency.

If your dog eats chocolate, the first thing you need to do is contact your veterinarian. It is likely that they will tell you to make him vomit to get the chocolate out of his system. You can use 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting.

The proper dosage of 3% hydrogen peroxide for a dog to make them throw up is one teaspoon for every 5 pounds of dog’s body weight. However, three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide should be the absolute maximum, no matter how much your dog weighs.

In order to make your dog throw up, all you have to do is squirt the peroxide into his mouth and make sure he swallows it. The easiest way to do this is by using a syringe to squirt the peroxide into the back of your dog’s throat. In most cases, he will instinctively swallow the liquid.

Something to keep in mind: 3 teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon. So for example, if your dog weighs more than 45 pounds, you should only give him 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide max. Giving any more than this amount at one time could make your pet’s stomach rupture, so it’s crucial that you follow these dosage instructions.

After you’ve given the dose of peroxide, your pet should vomit within 2-5 minutes. If he doesn’t throw up, you can re-dose – but only once. Again, do NOT give your dog more than 2 doses of hydrogen peroxide!

If Fido doesn’t throw up after two doses of peroxide, you must seek veterinary help immediately. Do not take any chances. By this time, your pup will be quite uncomfortable, and the chocolate will be working its way through his digestive tract.

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