What To Do If Dog Eats Chocolate
If a dog eats chocolate, it must be given a dose of activated charcoal to prevent the toxic substance from being absorbed into the dog’s system. The dose may need to be repeated every four hours for up to two days.
Activated charcoal can be purchased at a pharmacy or grocery store.
How long after a dog eats chocolate will they be OK?
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning will usually show within six to 12 hours, but could appear within one hour. If you know your dog has eaten chocolate, act immediately and don’t wait for the signs to appear. We always recommend seeking veterinary advice if you have any concerns about the health of your pets.[1]
What can I give my dog if they ate chocolate?
If your dog ate chocolate within an hour, get him to vomit. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix it 1:1 with water. Use 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of the dog’s body weight.[2]
How much chocolate is toxic to dogs?
Threat to pets For milk chocolate, any ingestion of more than 0.5 ounces per pound of body weight may put dogs at risk for chocolate poisoning. Ingestions of more than 0.13 ounces per pound of dark or semi-sweet chocolate may cause poisoning.[3]
Should I make my dog vomit after eating chocolate?
If your dog eats chocolate, the first thing you need to do is contact your veterinarian. They will likely tell you to make the dog vomit to get the chocolate out of his digestive system. You can use 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in dogs.[4]
Do most dogs survive eating chocolate?
If your dog eats enough chocolate, it can become really sick and even die. Chocolate poisoning in dogs and pets is not that uncommon. In 2020, the Animal Poison Control Center’s helpline reported handling 76 cases of “chocolate exposure” every day. Chocolate ranked fourth among the APCC’s latest list of top pet toxins.[5]
How long does it take for a dog to show signs of poisoning?
It’s worth noting, the average amount of time that it takes for symptoms of poisoning to show up is three to four days. Although occasionally symptoms show up right away, some types of poison can take months to cause any damage.[6]
What home remedy can I give my dog for chocolate?
After your dog eats chocolate: steps to take at home Vetted Pet Care suggests taking only three percent solution of Hydrogen Peroxide (not the concentrated six percent solution) and putting 1ml for every pound of body weight (so 16 ml for 16 pounds), into food or in a dropper to feed her to induce vomiting.[7]
Can dogs be saved from chocolate?
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Affected dogs are offered supportive treatment from the veterinarian to prevent further absorption of the poison and hasten elimination, along with symptomatic treatment. If the animal has just been observed eating chocolate, the veterinarian may choose to induce vomiting.[8]
Why do dogs live after eating chocolate?
Humans metabolize theobromine easily, but dogs don’t. Dogs process theobromine and caffeine slowly, which allows these toxic compounds to build up in their systems and cause clinical signs associated with chocolate toxicity.[9]
Does milk help a poisoned dog?
No. Milk is unlikely to be helpful in the vast majority of poisoning situations and can sometimes make things worse. Most pets are lactose intolerant and giving milk can cause or worsen stomach upset symptoms.[10]
What home remedy can I give my dog for poisoning?
A professional may ask you to induce vomiting at home with hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, you should try to always keep an unopened, non-expired bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your home (old hydrogen peroxide will not usually work). You will give the hydrogen peroxide to your dog by mouth.[11]
What is the first aid for dog poisoning?
Flush your dog’s eyes out with water as soon as possible. For consumption of poisonous products, your vet may instruct you to induce vomiting in your dog. Don’t induce vomiting on your own as doing so is not always the best recourse. Keep 3% hydrogen peroxide on hand for just such a circumstance.[12]
