MY DOG ATE WHITE CHOCOLATE | WHAT SHOULD I DO?  (2024)

FAQs

MY DOG ATE WHITE CHOCOLATE | WHAT SHOULD I DO? ? ›

Call your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 if your dog is experiencing white chocolate poisoning

Contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 to see if a poisonous amount of chocolate has been ingested. If a toxic amount was ingested, immediate evaluation by a veterinarian will be recommended. The sooner treatment begins, the better your dog's prognosis and the less costly the treatment.

It takes a good amount of white chocolate to cause problems for a dog. Assuming your pup is around 50 pounds, it takes 9 ounces of white chocolate for symptoms to show up. Even so, you shouldn't feed your dog white chocolate!

The clinical signs seen vary based on the amount of chocolate ingested and the dog's size but may occur within 2-12 hours after ingestion. Clinical signs can last 12-36 hours, sometimes longer in severe toxicities.

Dark Chocolate: Use a scale of 1.5 ounces per 10 pounds of body weight. That's 3 ounces for a 20 pound dog. If they've ingested that much or more, it's time to call your vet. Milk Chocolate or Semi-sweet: A poisonous amount would be anything over 3.5 ounces- a standard size Hershey's bar- for a small 10 pound dog.

For instance, the first symptoms of antifreeze poisoning can appear in as little as 30 minutes, whereas the symptoms of chocolate poisoning take between 6 and 12 hours to show up. Despite the potency of anticoagulant rat poisons, it can take 3-5 days after ingestion for dogs to show symptoms.

While there is no antidote for theobromine toxicity, symptoms can be appropriately managed with intravenous fluids and administration of activated charcoal. If necessary, sedation can be provided for the pet's hyperexcitability. Most patients with chocolate toxicity carry a good prognosis with appropriate treatment.

But let's talk things over in more depth ... The rule of thumb which I apply is that with dark chocolate mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.3 ounces per pound of the dog's weight body is ingested. Severe signs occur when 1 ounce per pound of bodyweight is swallowed.

If your dog ate a small amount of chocolate such as a few M&Ms, it is unlikely they will experience any severe symptoms. However, dogs should not eat chocolate as it is toxic to pets. If your dog has consumed chocolate, you should seek treatment immediately and monitor them for signs of chocolate poisoning.

So your dog ate chocolate, but they're not showing symptoms of toxicity. Keep in mind that it can take 6-12 hours for these symptoms to show up, so if they've eaten chocolate, don't wait until it's too late. Contact your veterinarian for the best steps to take to keep your dog safe.

What are the symptoms of chocolate toxicity? ›

Clinical signs of chocolate toxicosis usually occur within 6–12 hours of ingestion. Initial signs may include polydipsia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and restlessness. Signs may progress to hyperactivity, polyuria, ataxia, rigidity, tremors, and seizures.

Theobromine is mainly toxic to the heart, kidneys and central nervous system including the brain and can cause irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia), seizures and kidney failure. If your dog has ingested chocolate please bring them straight to the vet and tell us which type of chocolate they have eaten and how much.

The rule of thumb which I apply is that with dark chocolate { or chocolate brownie } mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when 1 ounce per pound of bodyweight is swallowed.

It is unacceptable for dogs to ingest any chocolate, either white or dark. All types of chocolate contain theobromine, but different types of chocolate have different theobromine concentrations. Theobromine is toxic to dogs and may rapidly accumulate in your dog's system in deadly amounts.

2. Increased Thirst. Theobromine and caffeine in chocolate can quickly lead to increased thirst in dogs. This is why increased thirst is another common symptom of chocolate poisoning in dogs.

If you don't have a vet or if the vet is closed, you can call the 24/7 Pet Poison helpline at 855-764-7661. There isn't a specific antidote for chocolate poisoning, but your vet might try to induce vomiting to get the chocolate out of your dog's system and provide treatment for any symptoms.

The toxic dose for theobromine is reported as 100-150mg per kg body weight, however occasionally problems are observed at doses as low as 20mg/kg. What this means in a practical sense, using 100mg/kg as a guide this equates to: approximately 60 grams of milk chocolate per kg bodyweight.

White chocolate is a confectionery typically made of sugar, milk, and cocoa butter, but no cocoa solids. It is pale ivory in color, and lacks many of the compounds found in milk, dark, and other chocolates.