You may crave mouthwatering chocolates filled with cocoa butter and sugar, but they can be harmful for your dogs. This festive, year-end season, when you buy and are gifted chocolates, make sure they are out of reach from your pets as even a small dose can cause chocolate poisoning in dogs.
A 2017 study published in The Veterinary Record journal showed chocolate exposure was more than four times as likely to occur during Christmas than usual days of the year.
Dr Gayathri Janardhanan, veterinarian, Charlie’s Animal Rescue Centre, Bangalore, says that most pet parents know that chocolate is poisonous or toxic to dogs and can be problematic, especially during festival seasons. During festivities, people get busy with celebrations and preparations — and most houses have chocolates and cakes lying around. Dogs may end up ingesting these toxic food items accidentally.
Why is chocolate harmful for dogs?
Chocolate contains components such as theobromine and caffeine which dogs cannot metabolize in the liver.
Hence it accumulates and causes toxicity, says Dr Basavana Gowda, chief veterinarian at CUPA Animal Care Hospital, Bangalore.
Signs and symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs
Dr Gowda says some common signs and symptoms of chocolate toxicosis in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- High fever
- Increased heart rate
Dr Gowda says the dog may also develop seizures in worse cases. “Usually, some of these signs and symptoms start showing only three to four hours after the dog has consumed chocolate,” he adds. “It usually starts with vomiting. Increased heart rate, seizures, etc. may develop only after six to seven hours after consuming chocolate.”
Dr Janardhanan says that you may also notice excessive thirst in your dog. She adds that not every dog will display the same symptoms — it all depends on the individual dog and the amount and type of chocolate they have consumed. While some dogs may display signs of lack of coordination — say, not being able to walk properly — some others may show signs of respiratory distress.
Long-term effects of chocolate poisoning in dogs
After recovery, there are usually no long-term, persisting or permanent symptoms caused by chocolate consumption, according to Dr Gowda. “Even in severe cases, the dogs usually recover in one to two weeks,” he says.
Dr Janardhanan says that while death due to chocolate poisoning is not that common, severe complications could arise. “Cardiac arrest could happen,” she says. “Seizures can also lead to severe complications if they’re not addressed on time.”
What types of chocolates are more harmful for dogs?
Dr Gowda says that dark chocolates are generally considered to be more harmful or more toxic to dogs because they contain a higher quantity of theobromine.
Does the dog’s size matter?
The effects of chocolate poisoning or chocolate toxicity depend on individual dogs, says Dr Gowda.
“While some will get some of the symptoms of toxicity or poisoning even with a small amount of chocolate, some other dogs may consume a larger amount of chocolate and may not display any of these symptoms,” he adds. “The size and breed of the dog matters. However, overall, chocolate is toxic for all dogs.”
What to do if your dog has eaten chocolate?
Dr Gowda says that if you notice your dog has consumed chocolate or suspect the same, you must immediately rush to a vet.
“They may decide to induce vomiting immediately,” he says. “If the dog has severe vomiting and diarrhoea and is dehydrated, then the dehydration has to be corrected through fluid therapy. Sometimes, the vet may also administer certain cardiac medicines. Sometimes, CNS (central nervous system) symptoms like seizures also have to be controlled.”
Treatment for chocolate toxicity in dogs
Treatment is often symptomatic, says Dr Gowda. “Primarily, absorption of theobromine into the system needs to be reduced,” he adds. “This is usually done using charcoal therapy — activated charcoal is administered for three to four days continuously. In severe cases, if the seizures are there, we do use sedatives.”
Dr Janardhanan says that if chocolate toxicity in the initial stages can be treated by just inducing vomiting and flushing the digestive system, then the vet may decide to do just that.
“If the symptoms have already started to appear, then the treatment protocol may differ,” she says. “The vet may have to treat them based on the symptoms that they’re showing. Some dogs may show symptoms like hypertension, arrythmia and respiratory distress.”
Are raisins harmful for dogs?
Raisins, a common ingredient in cakes, may not have any immediate effect in your dog but can cause some long-term issues, say experts.
“They can basically cause nephrotoxicity, which means they are toxic to the dog’s kidneys,” says Dr Gowda. “It can have some long-term effects such as acute kidney injury.”
While chocolate itself is harmful, Dr Janardhanan says some other things commonly found around the house during Christmas and the New Year could also be toxic for dogs.
“When they eat something that is not a part of their regular diet, even things that may not be as toxic as chocolate, it could still end up causing some gastric distress,” she says. “So be extra careful, especially during the holiday season.”
Dr Janardhanan advises keeping anything that contains sugar out of the reach of dogs. “Sugar and fat content itself is harmful for dogs — it could lead to pancreatitis if the dog is already susceptible to these conditions.”
Takeaways
As chocolate becomes a staple of the Christmas season, pet parents must become extra cautious about keeping their dogs away from the food item that is toxic for their furry friends, say experts. From gastric and respiratory distress to even seizures in severe cases, chocolate poisoning or chocolate toxicity can produce a range of symptoms in dogs. If you suspect that your dog has consumed chocolate, rush them to the vet immediately.
