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The selection box under the tree, the Easter egg left on the sofa, a mug of hot chocolate within reach. Chocolate poisoning is one of the commonest emergencies British vets see over the holidays. Whether your dog is in danger depends on three things: the type of chocolate, how much, and your dog’s weight.
Right now: note the type of chocolate, how much is missing and when it was eaten, then phone your vet (out of hours, their emergency service) or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24 hours, paid service). Don’t try to make your dog sick at home: salt water and other “tricks” can be dangerous. If it was eaten within the last couple of hours, the vet may make your dog vomit safely.
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs break down very slowly: theobromine stays in a dog’s body for about 17 hours, against a few hours in ours. It overstimulates the heart and nervous system.
The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Per gram, cocoa powder is more than ten times as toxic as milk chocolate. White chocolate contains almost none, but its fat and sugar can still cause an upset stomach or pancreatitis.
Vets start to see vomiting and diarrhoea from around 20 mg of theobromine and caffeine per kilo of body weight, heart problems from 40 to 50 mg/kg, and fits from 60 mg/kg. Here is roughly what that means for a 10 kg dog (a Cocker Spaniel or a Westie):
Double these figures for a 20 kg dog, halve them for a 5 kg dog. They are rough guides only: brands vary, and some dogs react at lower doses. When in doubt, call.
They usually appear 6 to 12 hours after eating, so a dog that seems fine an hour later is not out of the woods. Look out for:
In bad cases, signs can last up to three days.
If your dog ate it recently and is still well, the vet will usually give an injection to make them sick, sometimes followed by activated charcoal. Later on, or if symptoms have started, your dog may need fluids, heart monitoring and medication to control tremors. Most dogs treated early recover fully.
Christmas: selection boxes, chocolate coins, tree decorations and advent calendars at nose height. Wrapped presents under the tree are not safe either, dogs smell straight through paper.
Easter: eggs left on the coffee table and egg hunts in the garden. Count them in and count them out.
All year: handbags and coat pockets, hot chocolate powder in low cupboards, cocoa shell mulch in the garden.
Also on the “never” list: raisins, sultanas and grapes (mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, hot cross buns) and xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free sweets and peanut butters.
For a medium or large dog, very unlikely to cause problems. For a tiny dog, phone for advice. Either way, watch for the signs above over the next 12 hours.
Yes, although it’s rare with prompt treatment. Dark chocolate, cocoa powder and small dogs are the highest-risk combinations.
It’s barely toxic, but the fat and sugar can still upset the stomach. Not a treat.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual, Chocolate toxicosis, PDSA, Animal PoisonLine
