Chocolate is a well-known toxic substance for dogs and cats, containing both theobromine and caffeine. Whilst theobromine and caffeine present no risk to humans, our pets are unable to safely metabolise these substances which can lead to serious toxic side effects.
Theobromine is the most concerning compound found in chocolate. It is a stimulant that affects the heart, muscles, kidneys and nervous system — including the brain. Unfortunately, caffeine can exacerbate these effects.
We can calculate the potential toxicity of chocolate ingestion with the below information:
- the type of chocolate ingested – white / milk / dark (including %) / cooking chocolate
- how much of the chocolate they ate
- how much your pet weighs
This helps us determine just how serious an accidental ingestion could be and what symptoms to look out for. Clinical signs of a chocolate toxicity usually develop within 6-12 hours after ingestion, but can persist for multiple days.
Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased heart rate and arrhythmias
- Restlessness or hyperactivity
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Muscle tremors or seizures
- Collapse or coma in severe cases
Thankfully, there are lots of things veterinarians can do to help treat a pet who has accidentally eaten chocolate. In some cases, we may recommend we make your pet throw up the eaten chocolate however this is only effective for a small window of time after ingestion - so the sooner we can intervene, the better!
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a potentially toxic substance, call us immediately on 5975 3811 — early intervention and treatment can be life-saving!
