Easter is just around the corner. And you know what that means — time to break out the confections from the season’s favourite jelly beans and candied fruits to chocolate eggs. Little is known about how candy and eggs came to mark this colourful spring holiday. But whatever the reason, it’s a happy tradition that many pet owners are often tempted to share with their furry friends.
Dogs have a sweet tooth, just like we do. And your dog will likely enjoy that occasional sweet treat (though too much artificial sugar is bad for dogs). Just be careful when it comes to chocolate. You’ve probably heard that chocolate is toxic to dogs. Sadly, it’s true. If ingested, chocolate compromises the dog’s health and can be deadly.
So, what’s the deal with chocolate; why is it toxic to dogs and not humans?
This article explains the reason dogs and chocolate do not mix. We’ll also show you a healthier and equally delicious way to make your dog feel included in Easter festivities — with natural dog treats.
Why chocolate is bad for your dog
What makes chocolate toxic to dogs? The culprit is the methylxanthines contained in the cocoa that makes chocolate. Methylxanthines are purine-derived organic compounds such as caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Chocolate contains particularly high levels of theobromine, up to 28.5 mg/g, depending on the type of chocolate.
Once ingested, theobromine is quickly absorbed in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. That’s when trouble starts. The problem with theobromine is that it takes too long to leave the dog’s bloodstream. In humans, theobromine has a half-life of 7 to 12 hours (the time it takes to cut theobromine levels in half). For dogs, that time is nearly 18 hours.
Unlike humans, dogs are not very good at metabolising and excreting theobromine. So, the toxin has more time to wreak havoc inside the dog’s body.
Also, it takes a lot of theobromine to have a noticeable effect on humans. But in dogs, even a tiny amount of the stuff is enough to impair the central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems through some tedious and complex biochemical processes that we won’t get into for now.
Symptoms of chocolate toxicity in dogs
The first signs of chocolate poisoning show within 6 to 12 hours after the dog eats chocolate. The symptoms range widely from dog to dog, and their severity depends on the amount of chocolate consumed. Some dogs may not show signs of chocolate poisoning at all. Generally, a dog suffering from chocolate poisoning may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Hyperactivity and restlessness
- Nervousness
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
- Tremors
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Frequent drinking and urination
How much chocolate is bad for your dog?
Sensitivity to theobromine varies between dogs and is highly dependent on the animal’s weight. Smaller, lighter dogs are more susceptible to chocolate poisoning.
The minimum toxic theobromine dose ranges from 20 to 40 mg/kg of dog weight. Anything above 100 mg/kg could be lethal. By these calculations, a 9-kilogram dog can have an awful day after eating as little as 85 grams of dark chocolate, and ingesting twice as much chocolate could be deadly.
Is chocolate poisoning treatable?
Fortunately, your furry companion can recover fully from chocolate poisoning. The treatment procedures and duration depend on the dog’s size and how much chocolate was ingested. Chocolate poisoning treatments focus on getting the dog to excrete the excess theobromine. The vet may also administer drugs to address the various gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological symptoms.
It is crucial to get the dog to a vet as quickly as possible after consuming chocolate, whether they show any symptoms or not. Remember, although fatalities are rare, your dog could die from eating chocolate if not treated promptly.
A delicious alternative to festive candy for dogs
This goes without saying — do not feed your dog chocolate. And keep a close eye on your dog whenever you have chocolate lying around to ensure they don’t accidentally get their paws on a toxic morsel.
Just because your dog can’t eat chocolate doesn’t mean they’ll miss out on Easter’s delicacies. Get your dog in the Easter spirit with our selection of healthy, all-natural dog treats. Check out our special Easter Hunt Pack for Big Chompers and for Little Teef, full of all the tasty goodies your doggo loves, including moo chews, fish twists, rabbit backstraps, and chicken feet.
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