February is the month of love, flowers, and yes, chocolate. It’s also the time of year when West Vets ER sees a lot of cases of chocolate poisoning in pets. With more chocolate and sweets around the home than usual, the risk to your pet increases. Dogs are generally more likely to ingest chocolate, but the ingredients are poisonous to cats and other companion animals, too.

To help you and your pet avoid a dangerous situation, we take a closer look at why chocolate is toxic and what to do if they ingest it.

Caffeine and theobromine: a poisonous combo for pets

You may wonder why chocolate is worse for your pet than, say, vanilla ice cream or other sugary treats. The reason is because chocolate contains two specific ingredients that harm pets. The first is caffeine. You may love your morning joe, but, in pets, caffeine accelerates the heart rate, sometimes to dangerous levels. Since our pet companions are smaller than we are, caffeine has a stronger effect on them.

The other problematic ingredient is theobromine. This chemical is like caffeine in that it acts as a stimulant as well as a diuretic. Along with increasing your pet’s heart rate, it can cause them to become rapidly dehydrated. Both caffeine and theobromine overstimulate a pet’s nervous system, which can damage their health.

The type and amount of chocolate matters for pets

The severity of the chocolate toxicity for pets who have ingested it depends on their weight and how much they ate. The type of chocolate also plays a role. Baker’s chocolate and powdered cacao contain the highest levels of theobromine and caffeine. According to the Cornell Richard P. Riley Canine Health Center, “…one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of a dog’s body weight can be deadly compared to unsweetened baking chocolate, where as little as 0.1 ounces per pound of a dog’s body weight may be lethal.” 

Small dogs and cats are at greater risk for complications from ingesting chocolate—even in minimal amounts—but all breeds, including large ones, can be adversely affected. 

Symptoms of chocolate toxicity in pets

You may not have seen your pet eat chocolate or something containing chocolate, but they may show the following signs if they did:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Restlessness
  • Increased water intake
  • Abdominal distension
  • Hyperactivity
  • Tremors
  • Internal bleeding
  • Seizures

Call us if your pet is experiencing any of these signs. If you had chocolate around, look for the wrapper, so we can better understand how much they ate and what type.

Treating chocolate poisoning in pets

Treatment typically involves inducing vomiting if the pet recently ingested the chocolate. The goal is to quickly get rid of the toxin in your pet’s digestive tract to avoid further absorption. Another way to absorb the toxin is to use activated charcoal. These treatments are most effective when your pet is treated within an hour of ingesting the chocolate, so don’t wait to seek veterinary attention. 

If your pet shows signs of toxicity, we will use medications to manage their symptoms, including anti-seizure, anti-diarrhea, and nausea medications. Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy may be used if your pet has become dehydrated from the effects of the caffeine and theobromine.

Depending on the severity of the situation, your pet may need overnight (or longer) hospitalization, so we can closely monitor their condition and progress. 

The best preventive step to take to protect your pet

Search your home for any possible pet toxins. Don’t leave purses and backpacks around, since it’s too easy for a curious pet (with a good nose) to find snacks. Store all baking products, such as cacao powder and baking chocolate, in a cupboard. Monitor children when you give them chocolate and candy to ensure they don’t give them to pets. By taking these measures, you can minimize the chances that your pet will wind up with a case of chocolate toxicity. 

Let’s keep the Valentine’s holiday a safe and sweet one. Contact our team at West Vets ER with any questions you have about chocolate toxicity or any other concerns.