Can I give my dog chocolate?

We’ve all heard that chocolate can be very harmful for dogs. This is a fact and most definitely not an urban legend. Be sure to get the full scoop here, especially if you are a pet pooch owning chocoholic!

Video: Guilty Dog Ate A Whole Bag of Chocolate Chip Cookies

It’s true that chocolate can be deadly for dogs. Sadly, many pets have lost their lives from eating this sweet brown delicacy. Make no mistake about it, this is one human food that should never be given to a best buddy with no exceptions.

Though it usually takes a fair amount of canine chocolate consumption for serious toxicity, do not feed any amount. Many recipes, such as brownies, contain this red flagged ingredient meaning you have to be on the lookout for your dog’s sake.

Video: Will Chocolate Milk Kill My Dog?

Can I Give My Dog Chocolate? Answer: No, never!

Not as a treat, not as a one-time reward, not even just a bite, never!

Pure chocolate, made from cacao beans, deserves its scary reputation when it comes to the safety of your precious pet. But any variety of chocolate can literally kill your dog if enough is eaten. Owners need to be fully informed about the toxic effects and how to react. Be prepared for any situation, especially if this sweet treat is often in your household. Accidents involving chocolate and dogs can and do happen!

Different Types of Chocolate

Chocolate comes in many forms with different levels of toxicity for dogs. Certainly any kind should be off limits to your furry friend, but pure cocoa and dark chocolate generally pose the most dangerous threat.

It’s true that milk, while chocolate or even Nutella may not be as potent but that doesn’t mean it can’t harm your dog. Consider this when you think of sharing something seemingly harmless like chocolate ice cream.

Complications for Canines

The caffeine in chocolate can really send your dog’s system into a tailspin. This factor in itself could create some entirely avoidable health issues. What’s much worse is that consuming enough chocolate could very well be fatal due to a substance called Theobromine. Unfortunately, dogs cannot metabolize this cacao alkaloid nearly as well as humans can.

Worrying effects relating to the circulatory and respiratory systems can occur, leading to all sorts of troubling complications, after a dog eats chocolate. Everything from seizures to an irregular heartbeat to internal bleeding can develop following canine chocolate consumption. The effects could range from upset stomach to death.

The Theobromine Toxicity

If your dog has gotten their paws on some chocolate then you need to act fast. Do not wait for obvious early signs which can include erratic behavior, unbelievable thirst, bouts of diarrhea, unexplained bursts of energy, panting and even serious seizures.

Hopefully your dog will vomit up the chocolate which will help to rid them of the toxicity to some degree. Providing hydrogen peroxide may be necessary to avoid the deadly effects.

It’s very important to immediately speak with a vet following a chocolate mishap as the situation can be quite serious and even fatal.

Get Veterinary Help ASAP

By now you know that canine consumption of straight chocolate, or brownies, is cause for serious concern. It is of the utmost importance that you get professional help as soon as possible. We cannot stress this enough!

Your dog will have a much higher chance of recovery the sooner you act. While chocolate toxicity can last up to 72 hours, the early hours are the most critical for survival.

Conclusion on Chocolate

Never feed your dog, as reward or otherwise, any amount of chocolate. This isn’t a rumor and this delicious treat can harm, if not kill, your precious pet. Theobromine, which is found in chocolate, cannot be properly metabolized by your pet which means it is literally quite deadly. Consider all kinds of chocolate to be very dangerous for your dog. Milk, dark, white or any variety should all be strictly off limits.

Reviews & Comments