We at Palm Plaza Pet Hospital pride ourselves in providing excellent service to all our patients. We provide care to dogs, cats and large and small exotics.
10/31/2024
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
We would like to share important information in case an emergency happens, and your pet ingests chocolate.
How much chocolate is too much chocolate for dogs?
Chocolate is potentially poisonous to dogs. It contains two substances that can be naturally occurring: caffeine and theobromine. These substances do not agree with dogs.
The potential toxicity depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the pet. Chocolate with a high cocoa content — like baking chocolate — contains more caffeine and theobromine. On the other hand, milk chocolate has a lower concentration of these substances.
Signs to watch for in the case of accidental chocolate ingestion by a dog include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Restlessness
Increased thirst and/or urination
Hyperactivity
Rapid breathing
Abnormal, uncoordinated movement
Seizures
Typically, chocolate also contains high amounts of sugar and fat, which may contribute to gastrointestinal signs. Some chocolate products include other potentially toxic ingredients such as xylitol, which is found in sugar-free gum. When possible, keep the ingredient list for the candy your pet may have ingested.
There’s no amount of chocolate that’s ever “good” for your dog. However, ingesting small amounts of milk chocolate is probably not harmful for most dogs.
When in doubt, you can call
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number:
(888) 426-4435
