If your dog eats chocolate, it is important to act quickly to prevent serious problems. Here are the steps you should take:
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Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline: If you believe your dog has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-213-6680) for advice. Note that if your vet is not open, some services provide live chat and video options to connect you with a vet.
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Monitor your dog for signs of toxicity: Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within six to 12 hours after your dog has eaten it. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased urination, tremors, elevated or abnormal heart rate, seizures, collapse, and death. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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Induce vomiting: If you catch your dog eating chocolate or are fairly certain she just ate it, calculate whether she’s consumed enough theobromine to justify making her vomit. If the dose approaches or exceeds 9 mg of theobromine per pound of your dog’s body weight, go find your bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Administer the recommended dose and wait for your dog to vomit. If she doesn’t vomit within five minutes, it’s okay to re-dose. Then stop; do not administer more than the suggested dose, but put in a call to your veterinarian or emergency clinic.
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Seek medical attention: If your dog ate a toxic dose of chocolate and does not successfully vomit it back up, or if your dog ate a large amount – or an unknown but potentially large amount – of Baker’s or 85% dark chocolate, seek medical attention immediately. Treatment of chocolate ingestion depends on the size of the dog, the type of chocolate ingested, and the dog’s weight. If the ingestion of chocolate is recent, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to rid the stomach of any chocolate before it can be metabolized.
Remember, chocolate is toxic to dogs, and depending on the type and amount of chocolate consumed and the weight of your dog, it could cause a serious medical emergency. It is always better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate.
