What happens if a dog eats chocolate?

Clinical signs depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.

How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?

Cardiac symptoms of chocolate toxicity occur around 40 to 50 mg/kg, and seizures occur at dosages greater than 60 mg/kg. In simpler terms, that means a very concerning dose of chocolate is approximately one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight.

Will my dog be OK after eating chocolate?

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health concerns.

What should I do if my dog ate chocolate?

It's always best to err on the side of caution. If you know your dog ate some chocolate, you should call your vet. If you don't have a vet or if the vet is closed, you can call the 24/7 Pet Poison helpline at 855-764-7661.

How much chocolate before it kills a dog?

Merck warns that deaths have been reported with theobromine doses as low as 115 milligrams per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight. So 20 ounces of milk chocolate, 10 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, and just 2.25 ounces of baking chocolate could potentially kill a 22-pound dog, Fitzgerald says.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate (Home Remedies)

How long would it take for a dog to show signs of poisoning?

The average time for a dog to begin showing signs of poisoning is usually between three to four days. However, this varies between breeds and depends heavily on the type of toxin involved.

How long does it take for a dog to recover after eating chocolate?

Your dog must be carefully monitored until her symptoms subside, which may take up to seventy-two hours. The ASPCA Poison Control estimates twenty-five percent of dogs with chocolate poisoning recover within two days, however even with treatment, one in one hundred dogs with chocolate poisoning never recover.

What are signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs?

Clinical signs depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.

Should I let my dog sleep after eating chocolate?

Theobromine, an alkaloid present in cocoa beans, acts as a diuretic, stimulant and even a relaxant for people, but it's highly toxic to dogs.

Should I make my dog vomit after eating chocolate?

If the animal has just been observed eating chocolate, the veterinarian may choose to induce vomiting. If time has passed since the ingestion, the vet might administer activated charcoal to help prevent additional absorption of the theobromine into the puppy's circulatory system.

How do I make my dog throw up?

Make sure you have a 3-percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Higher concentrations are toxic and can cause serious damage. Administer the proper amount: the suggested dosage is 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of the dog's body weight by mouth, with a maximum dose of 3 tablespoons for dogs who weigh more than 45 pounds.

How do I make my dog throw up chocolate?

Your Dog Ate Chocolate. Now What? Typically, your dog will vomit on their own. If not, your vet might want you to give them hydrogen peroxide to make them throw up -- 1 tablespoon for every 20 pounds, Wismer says.

What home remedy can I give my dog for chocolate?

How does a vet treat chocolate poisoning?

Treatment for chocolate poisoning in dogs may include induced vomiting, activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, heart medications, anti-convulsants, and antacids, depending on the clinical signs.

How long does chocolate stay in a dog's system?

According to the AKC website, it can take 6 to 12 hours for your dog to show any symptoms of chocolate poisoning, and symptoms can last up to 72 hours. What is this? If you know your dog has eaten chocolate, do not wait to see symptoms. It's best to treat your dog before he shows the signs of feeling sick.

How do you flush poison out of a dog's system?

Once in the hospital, your veterinarian may give your dog intravenous fluid, flush your dog's stomach, give your dog activated charcoal to absorb the toxin, or perform surgery. Supportive medications may help your dog's kidneys and liver process the poison and heal.

How do you flush a dog's system?

Start with bland boiled white rice. Give him small amounts to lick off a spoon or your fingers. Watch your dog closely to see how his system responds to the rice. If he is not vomiting and does not have diarrhea, give him more boiled rice the next hour.

Why do dogs vomit white foam?

White, foamy vomit is often caused by excessive production and swallowing of saliva, which can be a symptom of nausea. Ingesting grass, plant material, or other things that are unusual or difficult for a dog to digest can cause vomiting. Toxins can cause GI irritation and worse, often leading to vomiting.

What if a dog eats an M&M?

How much does it cost to induce vomiting in a dog?

Treatment for inducing vomiting in your dog can vary widely. Depending on your location, inducing vomiting in your dog can range in cost from $300 to $500.

What happens if a dog doesn't throw up hydrogen peroxide?

If it has been more than 15 minutes after administration of the hydrogen peroxide and vomiting has not occurred, you may re-dose one more time. Do not continue to give your dog hydrogen peroxide if he is not vomiting. This could lead to an overdose and hydrogen peroxide toxicity.

How long will my dog throw up after hydrogen peroxide?

There are 3 teaspoons per tablespoon, so the maximum dose for dogs who weigh more than 45 lbs is 3 tablespoons per dose. If the H²O² works its magic, your dog should vomit within two to five minutes of receiving the first dose. If he doesn't vomit within five minutes, it's okay to re-dose.

Will milk help a dog that ate rat poison?

Many pet owners feed their dog milk after a potential poisoning because they believe it will help neutralize the poison. This is rarely helpful and dogs and cats are generally lactose intolerant. Don't give your pet milk unless a veterinary professional tells you to do so.

What medicine can I give my dog for vomiting?

Antidiarrheals/Antinauseants. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®) is commonly kept in medicine cabinets for digestive upsets and can be administered to your dog.

How do I make my dog throw up a sock?

If you've determined that the best course of action is to make your dog throw up, there is only one safe way to do it: hydrogen peroxide. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, something every dog owner should keep on hand, is the most effective and safest way to induce vomiting in dogs.