What Causes Dogs To Be Allergic To Chocolate
Chocolate does not cause allergies in dogs. Since dogs have different body chemistry than we do, chocolate can actually be poisonous to them. It is not a cause for alarm, however, if your dog nabs a cookie crumb from the floor. There are different levels of toxicity associated with chocolate for dogs, and your dogs weight also plays a role in how much chocolate he will be affected by.
Types of Chocolate
There are different levels of theobromine in different kinds of chocolate. Baking chocolate and cocoa powder contain the most theobromine per ounce at around 500 milligrams per ounce, while milk chocolate contains the leastabout 50 milligrams per ounce.
Amounts of Chocolate
Approximately four ounces of milk chocolate causes seizures in a six-pound Yorkshire Terrier. A candy bar is the equivalent of about two and a half ounces of milk chocolate. Even a half ounce of cocoa powder or less than one ounce of baking chocolate can be fatal for a dog.
Golden Retrievers with 75 pounds of body weight can consume 34 ounces of milk chocolate or five ounces of baking chocolate before experiencing seizures or death.
In smaller doses, theobromine in eaten chocolate can make dogs sick and potentially damage their kidneys. All types of chocolate should be kept away from all types of dogs.
Theobromine
What Happens When My Dog Eats Chocolate
My Dog Ate Chocolate Cupcake: What Should I Do Now
One of the biggest food enemies that your dog can encounter is chocolate. Not only is chocolate lethal to all kinds of dogs. More than that, many people love it. Thus, its almost present in every homes snack and dessert, and one of these foods is a cupcake.
So, you love chocolate cupcakes. However, your pet sneaked through and ate some. Now, it begs the question:
My dog ate a chocolate cupcake. What should I do? The first thing you need is to get immediate help from an expert, and thats none other than a vet. Chocolate toxicity is no joke for dogs. Thus, youll need to immediately respond to the situation, especially if your pet takes quite an amount.
Of course, a little taste probably wont hurt. Still, even those chances depend on how big your pet is and how big the chocolate cupcake it ate.
In this article, well cover the things you need to do if your pet ate a chocolate cupcake.
Without further ado, lets get into it!
Contents
If Your Dog Has Eaten Chocolate Home Remedies
When you notice the symptoms of chocolate toxicity, you can treat your dog at home too. In fact, it is advised that before taking the dog to the vet, try some home remedies. These will make your dog better and it will act as first aid too. With several home remedies, the dogs condition may improve faster than expected and it will give you enough time till you take your dog to the vet.
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How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Chocolate Cupcakes
The best way to stop your dog from eating chocolate cupcakes is by keeping such food out of its reach.
If your pet can access even your dining room, it would be best to keep all food with chocolates secured.
Also, secure the cupboards and containers where you store chocolates.
Another thing is not to let your pet see you eating such. If your pet sees you eating a chocolate cupcake, it would be tempting to offer some, and your pet may even feel sad if you dont give it.
To avoid all these unwanted incidents, keep all chocolate cupcakes out of your pets reach.
Can Dogs Eat White Chocolate
Its highly unlikely your dog will suffer poisoning from eating white chocolate, as its unlikely to contain enough toxic theobromine. This is the case for all white chocolate products, including those which claim to contain cocoa solids. But bear in mind white chocolate is high in fat, buttermilk and sugar so may cause a stomach upset.
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How Do I Know If My Dog Has Chocolate Poisoning
Usually, dogs that ate chocolate show signs of poisoning like severe symptoms. Thus, you can observe your pet and see if it shows any signs of poisoning.
According to VCA Hospitals, the symptoms of chocolate poisoning to dogs include:
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
In severe cases, it can cause your dog to suffer from the following:
As a pet owner, be mindful and observe your pet for any of the following signs.
In general, contact your vet if you see something wrong with your dog after eating chocolate.
What Happens If My Dog Ate A Chocolate Cupcake
Its doubtful that the cupcake on its own would harm your pet. Its the chocolate ingredient that makes it dangerous.
Chocolate cupcakes may only have a small amount of chocolate. However, even a tiny amount of chocolate is enough to harm your pet.
All kinds of chocolate contain theobromine, a component that is not harmful to us but lethal to animals.
For this reason, its best to be cautious and be more observant if your pet ate a chocolate cupcake.
Of course, it will still vary in all circumstances. Some dogs survive after eating chocolates. However, other pets immediately die after taking even just a small amount of chocolate.
Thus, as a general rule of thumb, remember that your dog shouldnt eat any chocolate cupcake or any food with chocolate.
It may induce vomiting, but its a good thing if your pet spits it out. For this reason, you may want to cause your pet to vomit.
Still, with this kind of incident, an experts help maybe your best option.
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What Makes Chocolate Poisonous For Dogs
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine that is extremely toxic for dogs. Humans are able to quickly process theobromine, so it isnt a threat to us. The half-life of the compound in humans is only a few hours. Unfortunately for our furry pals, the half-life of theobromine in dogs is about 18 hours, according to an article published on the National Institutes of Health website. The chemical affects the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system.
How Much Chocolate Is Not Good For Dogs
Even a minimal amount is not recommended. I mean why give your pup something that is this risky. Chocolate comes in many forms and different types. Whether it be frosting or cocoa powder or simple chocolate milk they are dangerous for dogs.
Although it may be ok to feed your dog a bite of light chocolate why take a risk?. Even that single bite can cause chocolate toxicity if the chocolate is dark. So staying away is the best option.
However, when your dog has eaten chocolate in any form, knowing what kind and how much it has swallowed will help you to determine the seriousness of the situation. According to AKC, if your dog has consumed more than 20mg of chocolate per kg of body weight, light toxicity will occur. If your dog has swallowed more than 40-50 mg per kg of body weight, cardiac symptoms will appear and if the dog has ingested more than 60mg of per kg body weight, there is a high risk of seizures.
You can also use a chocolate toxicity calculator to calculate how much amount is safe.
So the answer to a question, how much chocolate can kill your dog depends on how much your dog has ingested. Sometimes even eating one chocolate bar can kill the dog. So one needs to be very much concerned about how much chocolate the dog has fed. Knowing the ingested amount will help you act accordingly.
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What Is Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake is a scrumptious dessert that is made with melted bakers chocolate, cocoa powder, or another form of chocolate. These cakes are just short of heaven. Theyre wonderful confections that are the perfect dessert or snack for chocoholics!
Chocolate cake may also include other ingredients, such as vanilla flavoring, eggs, fat, and sugar. Just talking about chocolate cake makes you hungry for some!
While humans can safely enjoy chocolate cake in moderation, what about dogs? Can chocolate cake make a dog sick?
Take Your Pet To Your Vet
Youll need to make an assessment out of all the information and see if you need to take your pet to the vet.
If you have a large dog and it ate a small amount, the chocolate usually wont cause any issue.
Another thing to do is to wait and observe for any signs of adverse reaction.
Take your pet to the vet if its a small breed or if it ate a large amount. Do the same if your pet shows grave symptoms.
Your vet will ask you for all the necessary information. Thats the reason why you need to know everything about the incident.
You can do it through a call and ask your vet if you need to take your pet to the clinic.
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If The Dog Ate Chocolate Two Days Ago
Well, the symptoms of chocolate toxicity appear within 24 hours and after treatment, the dog will be fine within a day or two. If your dog ate chocolate two days ago and you just had a moment of truth, we believe the tough time has already passed. However, if the condition is worsening, only a vet can help you further. We dont advise going for home remedies at this stage.
Err On The Side Of Caution
Although these home treatments can be helpful, they are not meant to replace professional veterinary advice and care. If you suspect your dog ate any kind of chocolate , call your vet right away before attempting any home treatment on your own. If your vet isn’t available, call the ASPCA’s animal poison control hot line at 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 764-7661. Be aware that both services charge a fee of approximately $65.00 although they will open a case to consult with your veterinarian for no additional costs.
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Chocolate Poisoning In Dogs
While there are a wide range of potential toxins and foodstuffs around the home that are poisonous to dogs, one of the most readily available and easiest for your dog to inadvertently gain access to is chocolate. This makes chocolate particularly risky, especially around Christmas time, Easter, Halloween and any other holidays when chocolate seems to be almost everywhere you turn, or if your dog spends a lot of time around children or likes to scavenge or steal food.
While some dogs are much more sensitive to the toxic effects of chocolate than others, all dogs can potentially be prone to poisoning from chocolate ingestion. Almost every 24-hour veterinary hospital and inpatient clinic in the country will deal with at least one dog, and often several, that has inadvertently eaten or been fed chocolate around Easter time or at Christmas, a worry and expense that of course all dog owners will be keen to avoid.
If you want to make sure that you can avoid your dog becoming one of their number, read on to learn more about chocolate poisoning in dogs, what makes chocolate toxic to dogs, and how to deal with a potential case of chocolate poisoning.
Is Chocolate Cake Mix Toxic To Dogs
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Chocolate cake mix is not toxic to dogs, but it is not recommended to feed them this treat. Chocolate cake mix contains cocoa powder, which can be harmful to dogs in large quantities. If you do decide to give your dog a piece of chocolate cake, make sure it is a small amount and monitor them closely for any adverse reactions.
There are a number of reasons why chocolate can be harmful to dogs. Chocolate and dessert, which are high in fat, can be an indicator of pancreatitis in dogs. Caffeine and theobromine, two chemicals known as methylxanthines, are found in chocolate and can cause illness. Dogs can become ill from these chemicals in varying degrees of severity. Before you can determine whether your dog has eaten chocolate, you must first determine the type and amount of it. If that isnt enough, you should consult a veterinarian. It is critical to seek urgent medical attention after hours from a 24-hour emergency room. When it comes to your dogs health, there is no room for interpretation.
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Can My Dog Eat A Chocolate Muffin Can I Treat My Dog To One Chocolate Chip
It is best to not take any chances and never feed any sort of chocolate treat to your canine companion. Something as small as one square from a milk chocolate bar has the potential to make a small dog sick. There are plenty of dog-safe treats that wont send you on a trip to the vet. Some dogs love to eat fresh fruit such as apples, blueberries, or strawberries. Fresh veggies like carrots, zucchini, or peas can make for good options as well. Keep in mind, however, that your dog should not be getting more than 10% of his daily calories from an unbalanced source!
However, you care to enjoy your chocolate as a cake, bar, or hot drink keep all treats carefully stashed away in dog-proofed areas. Additionally, ensure that someone is always keeping an eye out during festive events where desserts are out in the open. Dont give your dog any opportunity to nab even a little bit of a chocolate treat they are delicious but best left for people to enjoy!
Featured Image Credit: varintorn, Pixabay
Contents
What Is Chocolate Poisoning
Chocolate is derived from the roasted, ground seeds of the cacao tree and contains the methylxanthine theobromine a chemical similar to caffeine. Theobromine acts as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator and smooth muscle relaxant in animals and humans. Dogs metabolize theobromine very slowly, thereby enhancing the effects and toxicity to these pets. Chocolate ingestion is a common causes of canine poisoning and can lead to illness and death. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has eaten chocolate. Chocolate is toxic as it contains the methylxanthine theobromine. Theobromine is similar to caffeine and is used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Theobromine can be poisonous and result in severe clinical signs, especially if untreated.
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Causes Of Chocolate Poisoning In Dogs
The type and amount of chocolate ingested by your pet will determine the level of severity. The more concentrated the level of theobromine in the chocolate, the more toxic the dose.
0.2 ounces of bakers chocolate is sufficient to cause symptoms of toxicity in a 10-pound dog.1.6 ounces of milk chocolate is sufficient to cause symptoms of toxicity in a 10-pound dog.
Concentrations of theobromine in various forms of chocolate :
- White chocolate 1mg/ounce
- Baking chocolate 450mg/ounce
- Cocoa shell yard mulch 300-1200mg/ounce
Though white chocolate and milk chocolate have lower levels of theobromine, the sugar and fat content can cause potentially life-threatening pancreatitis.
Theobromine levels and effect on the body:
- 20mg theobromine per kg body weight – mild gastrointestinal symptoms
- Greater than 40mg/kg – heart arrhythmias
- Greater than 60mg/kg muscle tremors, seizures
What Happens If A Dog Eats A Chocolate Cake
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In dogs, vomiting can cause diarrhoea, nausea, restlessness, and hyperactivity, as well as rapid breathing, muscle tension, incoordination, and increased heart rate. Dogs may be affected by chocolate poisoning if they consume a high amount and breed size.
Chocolate can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs, including vomiting, seizures, and even death. Theobromine, a toxic substance found in chocolate, has a negative impact on dogs. If a dog eats chocolate cake, it is best to contact a veterinarian, whom the animals regular care provider will refer to if necessary. The owner may prefer that the dog continue to observe rather than having it brought in for care. Following veterinary care, it is best to keep the dog in a calm and quiet environment. The animal may require IV fluids for at least a day after the chocolate poisoning, depending on how severe the poisoning was.
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Why Chocolate Is Bad For Dogs
The specific chemical in chocolate that negatively affects dogs is theobromine. The amount of the chemical depends on the type of chocolate baking chocolate having the heaviest concentration of theobromine, while semi-sweet and milk chocolate contain lesser amounts respectively. The severity of a dogs reaction depends on how much chocolate the animal ate, the dogs size and the dogs sensitivity to the compound, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Health Literacy Campaign.
My First Reaction When My Dog Ate Chocolate
When it comes to my dogs, I’m a crazy dog mom. I love them to pieces and I want to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. I was pissed at myself for leaving the cake at the edge of the counter, but I knew that I couldn’t freak out because Rodrigo would pick up on my negative energy.
So, instead, I split into two personalities
- The Pet Blogger research what to do, try and recall discussions about dogs eating chocolate and wonder why havent I written about this before? What do veterinarians have to say? The clinic is closed, so who can I call?
- The Dog Mom freak the hell out, because I was irresponsible and I just hurt my baby.
Both personalities kind of even each other out and you get a semi-stressed dog owner who is annoyed by how complicated the information online is.
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