You can give your pet some natural treats such as apples, broccoli, carrots, watermelon, cooked sweet potatoes, and bananas. So let’s start by understanding how a sweet treat can be fatal to dogs. In fact, there’s been a 235% increase in chocolate poisoning in dogs during a 4-week Easter period. Be vigilant during occasions: Occasions like Easter and Christmas are high-risk times for dogs to eat chocolates. I would rather decorate for Easter. Baking chocolate and gourmet dark chocolate are highly concentrated and contain 130-450 mg of theobromine per ounce, while common milk chocolate only contains about 44-58 mg/ounce. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting and diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and a racing heart rate. However, the mortality rate is less than 3% as long as you control and alleviate these symptoms. Consuming too much chocolate is like drinking coffee for them, so expect symptoms relating to behavior, breathing, and digestion. The symptoms can take up to 6 to 12 hours to show up, but older dogs and dogs with heart conditions can immediately collapse or die after ingestion. Both chemicals are also used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant.

In severe cases, muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure can be seen. In older pets that eat a large amount of high quality dark or baking chocolate, sudden death from cardiac arrest may occur, especially in dogs with preexisting heart disease. Senior dogs, especially those with heart conditions, are at greater risk of collapsing. But it is also important to realize it is present in more than just candy bars - cookies, pies, cakes, trail mix, etc. Regardless of the form, your dog will be tempted to try it and is at risk of toxicity. While it’s not advisable, a dog can have 0.5 ounces of chocolate for every pound of body weight without running the risk of fatal consequences. Theobromine is a cardiac stimulant while caffeine is a diuretic. As a rough guide, it's been estimated that only 50g of plain chocolate could be enough to kill a small dog, such as a Yorkshire Terrier, while just 400g could be enough to kill an average size dog. Puppies can be small due to poor nutrition - eating the wrong food, or not enough food - or other poor care. This also means choosing the right dog food or treats that can satisfy your pet right away.

Do obedient training: You can use the ‘leave it’ command if you’re far away from your dog, yet you can see that it’s attempting to eat chocolate. Repeat until your dog moves away when you give the command. So never give chocolate to your dog, and never leave it in a place where your dog could help themselves to it. With anything that has known harmful side effects, always err vicks vapor rub on dogs hot spots the side of caution and never give it. In this article, I’m sharing all the necessary information about chocolate toxicity for dogs, including symptoms, effects, treatment, and prevention, to ensure your pet’s well-being. The theobromine can even be re-absorbed from the bladder, so IV fluids and frequent walks to encourage urination may be necessary. Meanwhile, a dog who eats a whole bar of chocolate can face severe signs of poisoning. Hospitalization and supportive care may be required, depending on the severity of signs that your dog is experiencing.

Doctor Joe Alcorn received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1981, and founded Care Animal Hospital in 1991 in Temecula, California. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Yes, many dogs can be successfully treated for chocolate poisoning when prompt veterinary care is sought. With over7 years of experience as an owner, Mike is passionate about helping others own and care for their dog. Mike is the proud owner of a 7-year-old Cockapoo named Luna. 47. Luna (Italian origin) meaning "moon". The sooner the theobromine is removed from the body or the dog is stabilized, the better your dog’s prognosis. Complications (such as developing aspiration pneumonia from vomiting) can make the prognosis for chocolate poisoning worse. Fatalities have been seen at around 200 mg/kg (approximately 100 mg/lb), or when complications occur. Barbecue meats are done over charcoal or wood, which allows the meat to have a smoky flavor. This dish can be baked in an oven, barbecue grill and microwave. Theobromine is a long lasting, very potent toxin that can cause death. This will help them determine the cause of your dog's colored poop.