Did your dog gobble down that complete slab of Hershey’s bar you had forgotten on the kitchen slab? Or consumed just a bit of it? Well, in either case, it is toxic but the severity level of chocolate poisoning increases with the amount of cocoa present in the bar. It also depends on the amount of the chocolate he ingested. Some parents are extremely cautious about their pet and such an incident can give them a frantic drive. However, you don’t need to get into that frenzy mode. First, learn why chocolates are toxic, which kinda chocolate he has eaten and the quantity ingested. Why Are Chocolates Poisonous To Dogs? Chocolates are made of cocoa, milk solids, vegetable oils and cocoa butter with many other additional ingredients added to it. However, the main component of a chocolate i.e. cocoa is what makes your favorite chocolate bar toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine as well as caffeine which interfere with the normal functioning of the heart and nervous system in dogs. These components increase the palpitation and cause hyperexcitation of the nerves hence could be fatal if consumed in high amount. However, there are many types of chocolates on the market that have varying proportions of cocoa in it. Some are extremely dangerous and some others very mildly threatening. Types of Chocolates and Their Toxicity Levels
Measurement of Toxicity Toxicity levels completely depend on the amount of chocolate consumed by the dog, the type of chocolate he ate and the weight of the dog. A small pup can get seriously sick even if he eats one small bite-sized piece of a milk chocolate whereas, in a large or medium dog, the effects would be less severe. Every 100 mg of chocolate per kg of dog’s weight could be regarded as a standard toxicity measurement in canines. So, 1 ounce of milk chocolate per 1 pound of dog would be toxic. Likewise, 1 ounce of semisweet chocolate per 3 pounds of weight would be toxic and 1 ounce of baker’s chocolate would be dangerous for every 9 pounds of dog’s weight. Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs If a dog eats chocolates, he may fall ill within 6-12 hours of consumption and normally suffer from – Diarrhea, Vomiting, Tremors, Seizures, Excessive Urination, and Restlessness due to Elevated Heart Rate. In severe cases, he may even collapse. What To Do If The Dog Ate Chocolate?
Preventing your dog from consuming chocolates is the best way to reduce such incidents. For the protection of your Fido, all those chocolates that you love to hog on must be stashed in the store or in some drawer where your dog cannot reach. Train him not to pick the scraps that fall on the ground. This will immensely help when your kid or others leave the chocolate scraps on the ground while eating playfully. As a responsible pet owner, teach every family member in the house not to eat chocolates in front of your dog.
These little efforts can prevent major chocolate poisoning in dogs. So, be cautious and if at all you want him to have something good, bring him some treats while you munch on those decadent and sinfully rich pieces of Lindt or Hersheys.
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