What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate: Understanding Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

My dogs ate Chocolate!

Introduction: Last night was one of the scariest nights of my life. My three dogs got into a bag of semi-sweet chocolate baking chips—12 ounces worth! I quickly learned how dangerous chocolate can be for dogs and want to share my experience to help other pet owners understand the seriousness of chocolate toxicity in dogs.

The Ordeal: My son and I got home after just an hour away to find a completely destroyed bag of chocolate chips on the floor—no chocolate in sight. The chips had been on the kitchen counter, where I thought they were out of reach. My dogs have never been counter surfers, so I didn't even consider putting the chocolate in the cabinets. When I saw the empty bag, I immediately went into panic mode.

I did what we all do when we want easy answers: I Googled it. The verdict? Go to the vet immediately. Our vet was closed, so I called the emergency vet in town. The vet tech on the phone was amazing. She asked a lot of questions and then told me the situation was grim. Since they didn't have a veterinarian on staff, she made a plan for me. I was to get the dogs into the car and drive them to the nearest emergency vet (an hour away) and call Animal Poison Control on the way.

My mind was racing. I couldn't handle all three dogs alone at the vet. While figuring out logistics, I called Animal Poison Control. They were lifesavers—literally. After getting all the information about my dogs, they gave me a plan to induce vomiting.

Inducing Vomiting in Dogs: And so began the hour-and-a-half "vomitfest." Please do not try this at home unless on a vet or Animal Poison Control's advice. There were very strict procedures and directions I needed to follow, and the last thing you want to do if your dog has eaten chocolate is make it worse.

I started with Stormy, knowing she'd be the easiest to get to drink the hydrogen peroxide. It wasn't easy, but it worked. So much vomit and so much chocolate. Fun fact: puke with chocolate in it smells like chocolate. My house smelled like Willy Wonka had visited.

Next was Luci, who fought me tooth and nail in drinking the peroxide but was the quickest to throw up. She had definitely eaten the chocolate. I think she enjoyed getting my undivided attention as we walked around the house waiting for the inevitable.

Finally, sweet Zelda. Poor Zelda likely hadn't eaten any chocolate, but I had to be sure. She refused the peroxide, and I wasn’t sure she drank enough. But she eventually threw up, and there were no signs of chocolate.

After cleaning up, kenneling the girls, and having a good cry, I called poison control back. They gave me the best news ever: the dogs would be fine with possible complications treatable by the vet in the morning.

I was told what to watch for over the next several days and how to care for them after inducing vomiting. I’m so thankful to report that all three are just fine.

Why Chocolate is Dangerous for Dogs

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Dogs metabolize these substances much more slowly than humans, which can lead to serious health issues and even death. The severity of the symptoms depends on the type and amount of chocolate consumed and the size of the dog. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are particularly dangerous due to their higher theobromine content.

Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs:

If your dog eats chocolate, they may show symptoms such as:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Rapid breathing

• Increased heart rate

• Seizures

• Restlessness

• Muscle tremors

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate

If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, please call your vet immediately. If your vet is not available, you can call Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is a small fee, but I feel it was worth every penny. Keep in mind, time is of the essence. Inducing vomiting may be necessary, but this should only be done under the guidance of a professional.

Preventive Measures to Protect Your Dog:

• Always store chocolate and other toxic foods out of your dog's reach. I really should have done better; now all the chocolate goes into the cabinets so I won’t have to live through this nightmare again.

• Educate family members and guests about the dangers of feeding dogs chocolate. I had a viral Facebook post regarding my dogs eating chocolate, and I was surprised at the number of people who made it out to be no big deal. IT IS A BIG DEAL!

• Be vigilant during holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter when chocolate is more likely to be around. My semi-sweet chocolate chips were on the counter because I was baking cookies for Thanksgiving the next day. I should have done better.

Personal Reflection: While some dogs may seem fine after eating chocolate, it’s important to understand that chocolate poisoning is serious and can have delayed effects. My experience was a stark reminder to keep toxic foods out of reach and always be prepared for emergencies. I’m grateful my dogs are okay, but it could have easily ended differently.

Chocolate Toxicity Calculator for Dogs:

For a better understanding of how much chocolate can be dangerous for your dog, you can use a chocolate toxicity calculator for dogs. This tool can help you assess the risk based on the type and amount of chocolate consumed and your dog’s weight.

Below is the one I used:

Dog Chocolate Toxicity Meter

Final Thoughts: Chocolate poisoning in dogs is a serious matter that should never be taken lightly. Always err on the side of caution and seek professional advice. I hope my story helps raise awareness and prevents other pet owners from going through the same terrifying experience.

Helpful Resources if your dog eats chocolate:

Animal Poison Control

Dog Chocolate Toxicity Calculator