Most pet owners know that chocolate is toxic to their canine and feline friends, but just how much chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats? What do you do if your dog has eaten chocolate, or you’ve found your cat raiding your chocolate stash.

Dogs have been guilty in the past but would a cat eat chocolate? Either way, you need to know what to do when it comes to chocolate ingestion. What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs and cats, and is there treatment for chocolate poisoning? It’s time to find out...

Is Chocolate Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?

Yes, chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs! But fortunately, it’s very rarely fatal. The effects of chocolate poisoning depend on the amount of chocolate consumed compared to your pet’s body weight. You can use an online chocolate toxicity calculator which calculates how much of the toxins theobromine and caffeine your pet has ingested.

It also gives you an idea of the expected symptoms based on your pet’s size and advise on what action you need to take if your cat or dog eats chocolate. You can also call the pet poison helpline, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) in the UK, for advice. However, if your pet is displaying clinical signs of poisoning, like vomiting or diarrhoea, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.

Generally, doses from 20-40 mg/kg can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Over 60 mg/kg can cause neurological signs like twitching and seizures. Fatalities have been seen at around 200 mg/kg.

Why is Chocolate Poisonous to Dogs and Cats?

Chocolate contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, both of which are toxic to pets. The amount of theobromine and caffeine in chocolate varies with the type of chocolate. White chocolate contains less than milk chocolate, and dark chocolate contains the most (around 0.4-8.8 mg theobromine/g).

As a general rule, the more caffeine and theobromine there is, the more bitter the chocolate tastes. White chocolate generally doesn’t contain enough theobromine to cause toxicity, but there are other ingredients that can cause stomach upset, so it's best to get your pet checked by a vet if they eat some.

Chocolate is bad for cats too, but they’re not usually tempted to eat it. If your cat has eaten chocolate, you’ll need to get them seen immediately. The effects of chocolate toxicity depend on how much chocolate has been eaten compared to their body weight. Cats weigh less than most dog breeds, so are at greater risk, even a small amount of chocolate can cause health problems.

Cacao bean mulch, used in gardens, also contains theobromine and can be toxic if a large amount is eaten. Cocoa powder is even more dangerous than eating plain chocolate as it contains 50% more theobromine. As little as 113 grams could be fatal. So, make sure your pets aren’t in the room when you’re whipping up a chocolate cake.

What are the Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs and Cats?

If your pet has eaten chocolate, clinical signs of poisoning will begin to occur within an hour. Caffeine and theobromine are stimulants, so hyperactivity, muscle tremors, and increased heart rate are all common symptoms of chocolate consumption. Other signs include:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Lethargy (tiredness/weakness)
• Panting
• Seizures
• Pacing, restlessness, and anxiousness
• Chocolate smell on their breath

If left untreated, chocolate poisoning can lead to death within 24 hours of ingestion. If you know your dog ate chocolate, don’t wait for symptoms to occur before taking them to the vets.

Can Chocolate Poisoning be Treated?

Contact your vet immediately if your pet has eaten chocolate. If the ingestion of chocolate has been caught early enough, your vet can induce vomiting to clear the stomach before the chocolate gets absorbed.

Don’t try to induce vomiting yourself unless instructed by your vet. Your pet may also need to be hospitalised for monitoring. It will be too late to induce vomiting if the ingestion happened more than a few minutes ago.

In this instance, your vet may administer activated charcoal to absorb the toxins. Intravenous fluids may also be recommended by your vet as it helps to remove the chemicals from your pet’s system. Caffeine can be reabsorbed by the bladder wall so maintaining an empty bladder will help speed up their recovery time. This can be done by placing a urinary catheter or through frequent walking.

How to Prevent Chocolate Poisoning in Cats and Dogs

To avoid cat and dog chocolate poisoning make sure all foods containing chocolate are kept out of reach. Remember that cats can climb and jump great heights, and dogs can be just as agile. The safest place for your sweet treats is in a cupboard or in the fridge. If you spill anything on the floor, make sure you clean it up quickly before you pet gets the chance to have a lick.

To be on the safe side, it’s best to eat foods that are poisonous to pets away from them so that no accidents can happen. Don’t make the mistake of leaving wrapped chocolate gifts under the Christmas tree, as your pet is sure to find them.

Dogs have a tremendous sense of smell and will soon track it down, and no amount of wrapping paper or packaging will stop them once they have caught the scent. Also avoid using cacao bean mulch in your garden, just in case your pet decides to eat it.

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats and can be fatal if not treated immediately. Signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs and cats are usually seen within an hour of ingestion. Veterinary treatment is required to remove the toxins from the body and treat any symptoms.

Toxicity in cats is less likely to occur as they’re not as enthusiastic about eating chocolate, but it‘s not unknown for it to happen. Make sure you keep all chocolate containing foods safely stored away where your pet can’t access it. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis, Felis www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis, and Lapis www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

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