HELP my yorkie ate chocolate!!

[ekcook]

i have a 6 month old 5lb yorkie that jsut ate two pieces of dark chocolate with rasberry filling by Godiva. The pieces were each square and an 1" all around. if anyone has home remedies i can try i gladly welcome them. i read that you can try 2 tablespoons of peroxide which will induce vomitting. but are afraid to give him anything. The vet wants to give him chemicals and make him vomit and all of this medical stuff that i don't know is neccesary. PLEASE WHAT SHOULD i DO???

[livingdustmops]

Why chocolate poisons dogs and how to treat chocolate dog poisoning
While the pathetic begging look that goes across the face of a dog wanting chocolate can weaken the most stoic dog owner, stay firm. Do not give in. Ever.

Once dogs have tasted chocolate, they want more.

And for dogs, that's a bad thing.

You might disagree, thinking back to a time when you noticed a dog enjoying a tidbit of chocolate with no deleterious effect.

Don't be fooled.

The problem, according to veterinary experts, is that eating a speck of chocolate leads a dog to crave more. It can mean that your dog will jump at a opportunity to get any type of chocolate, not knowing that certain chocolates are more lethal than other types. Larger amounts of chocolate, particularly of the most toxic type, can bring about epileptic seizures in some dogs, and in all dogs, can kill.

Poisoning of dogs by chocolate is not as uncommon as you might think.

"Chocolate ingestions are one common reason why pet owners and veterinarians call us," said Dana Farbman, Certified Veterinary Technician and Manager, Client and Professional Relations, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "However, it would be difficult to verify an exact ranking in frequency of calls, as the types of substances we receive calls on can vary greatly depending on many factors, including the time of year. We generally do experience somewhat of a rise in chocolate calls around holidays, such as Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

Why is Chocolate Lethal?
Chocolate contains theobromine. A naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it's the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs.

Symptoms of Chocolate Dog Ingestion and Poisoning
You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, the evidence includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes and there's increased absorption of the toxic substance, you'll see an increase in the dog's heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting.

This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

How Much Chocolate Is Deadly?
If a 50-pound dog eats a teaspoonful of milk chocolate, it's not going to cause serious problems. However, if that same dog gorges himself on a two-layer chocolate cake, his stomach will feel more than upset and soon it's likely he'll be vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.

To answer the question "How much is too much" is not simple. The health and age of your dog must be considered. Obviously if your dog is aged and not in top shape, his reaction to a plate of chocolate is going to be different from a young healthy dog of the same weight.

Another fact that must be considered is this: Not all chocolate is the same. Some has a small amount of theobromine; another type has a large amount and still another contains an amount that is somewhere in between. The quantity has a relationship with the weight of your dog. Small dogs can be poisoned, it is easy to understand, from smaller amounts of theobromine than large dogs.

Which chocolate is the safest, relatively speaking? White chocolate. It has the least amount of theobromine: 1 mg per ounce. Far on the other side of the spectrum is baking chocolate, which has a huge 450 mg of theobromine per ounce!

Here are a few other chocolates for you to ponder: hot chocolate, 12 mg of theobromine per ounce; milk chocolate, 60 mg/oz; and up there near baking chocolate: semi-sweet chocolate with 260 mg/oz.

You might try using this to remember these chocolates from least to most toxic: What Happy Moose Says BAA? Or: White-Hot-Milk-Semi-Baked. If you have a better way to remember, contact us!

Knowing which chocolate is the most toxic is important, but leaves one wondering how much must be eaten to poison a dog. The list in this box should be helpful. Maybe you can clip it and post it on your refrigerator?


White chocolate: 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to cause signs of poisoning in a 20-pound dog, 125 pounds for a 10-pound dog.
Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. Approximately one pound of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20-pound dog; one-half pound for a 10-pound dog. The average chocolate bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 pound dog. Semi-sweet chocolate has a similar toxic level.
Sweet cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight. One-third of a pound of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20-pound dog; 1/6 pound for a 10-pound dog.
Baking chocolate: 0.1 ounce per pound body weight. Two one-ounce squares of bakers' chocolate is toxic to a 20-pound dog; one ounce for a 10-pound dog.

[livingdustmops]

Dog Care : After Your Dog Eats Chocolate
The ASPCA, Susan Thorpe-Vargas, M.S, Ph.D. in her article "Poisoned," and others strongly encourage pet owners to be prepared for a poisoning. When time can make the difference between life and death, it is important that the owner know steps to take immediately and have the first-aid tools on hand to take those steps.

To prepare, get knowledgeable. You'll avoid panic if you have educated yourself. Videos are great because they're convenient. A video is easy to play, can be viewed by a family together, and is a great way to relax in your easy chair while learning skills that can save the life of your pet.

Check Out This Veterinarian's Helpful Book
Dr. James Griffin and his associate, Lisa Carlson, DVM, wrote this thorough and picture-heavy book from which you can learn doggie CPR, rescue breathing and the Heimlich maneuver, as well as what to do for a wide range of emergencies: poisoning, drowning, bleeding, electric shock, fractures, cold exposure and heat stroke


Next be prepared by having on hand the tools you might need. The first-aid treatment for chocolate poisoning involves removing it from the body, quickly, before too much time passes and the theobromine has circulated, damaging the gastrointestinal tract in the process. The treatment includes:

inducing vomiting, which removes, and then administering
activated charcoal slurry, which absorbs.
The sooner this is done, the less the effects of the poison. That, in itself, explains the importance of dog owners having an emergency kit in their homes plus the knowledge for quick first-aid treatment.

To induce vomiting, Michelle Bamberger in Help! The Quick Guide to First Aid for Your Dog, Howell Bookhouse, New York 1993, recommends using three percent hydrogen peroxide, one-to-two teaspoons by mouth every 15 minutes until vomiting occurs. Alternatively, she suggests using Syrup of Ipecac. Use, she says, two to three teaspoons, only once.

You can get Syrup of Ipecac at almost any pharmacy. You do not need a prescription from your doctor. Syrup of Ipecac is inexpensive and will keep for several years if stored at room temperature.

After vomiting, Bamberger says to give the dog by mouth activated charcoal mixed with water to a slurry consistency. The dosage is 1 teaspoon for dogs who are less than 25 pounds and 2 teaspoons for dogs weighing more than 25 pounds.

Put Activated Charcoal in Your Emergency Kit
Toxiban Activated Charcoal. The substance is a fine powder form of processed charcoal that binds to many types of poisons and can keep them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. This product isn't easy to find online. We did compare prices when we found it and know this is a good deal. Check it out, getting some now, before you forget.

Toxiban might be wise to have in your pet emergency kit because it also is effective in adsorbing other poisonous substances eaten or drunk by dogs or cats. These toxins include, but are not limited to, strychnine, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, depressants and analgesics.

Some people have recommended burnt toast if you do not have activated charcoal on hand. However, at the University of Florida veterinarians teach their toxicology students that burnt toast "is not a substitute for activated charcoal." (See: University of Florida Vet Med Toxicology Class )

In the event your dog has eaten chocolate, always gather as much information as possible. Note the type of chocolate the dog ate, how much chocolate was eaten and approximately when your dog ate it. Write this information down. Should you need medical help, your veterinarian will appreciate any facts you can provide. If you can't get this information quickly, don't belabor it. Write down what you can.

If several hours have passed between the time your dog ate a toxic does of chocolate and your finding of him or her, its possible that your dog is displaying severe symptoms. If your dog is having seizures or is comatose, don't delay, immediately take your dog to your veterinarian.

On the other hand, begin administering emergency treatment and contact your veterinarian or call the pet poison experts at the National Animal Poison Information Center at The University of Illinois in Urbana. Phone toll-free: (888) 252-7387. The Center provides computer-supported telephone consultation for potential poisonings. There is a nominal charge.

If your dog doesn't eat enough chocolate to induce toxicity, but is vomiting (without your prodding) or has diarrhea, it's likely that it's the chocolate's high fat content that is the culprit. Watch your dog carefully. You don't want him or her to dehydrate. Provide plenty of fluids.

If your dog's symptoms don't clear up within eight hours, call your veterinarian. If your dog is very small or young, call your veterinarian within four hours.

A good outcome is likely if treatment is provided within 4 to 6 hours of ingestion. The effects of chocolate can linger for 12-36 hours, though, so your dog may require hospitalization

[jinhopark]

Sorry for reviving such an old thread...but this is so informative.

Are there any prolonged, long-lasting or permanent effects to the gastrointestinal tract from a dog eating a tiny amount of chocolate? Also is the theobromine cumulative in the dogs body in any way? I'm hopeful that, provided the dog does not ingest any more chocolate, the dog can make a full recovery.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jinhopark

Sorry for reviving such an old thread...but this is so informative.

Are there any prolonged, long-lasting or permanent effects to the gastrointestinal tract from a dog eating a tiny amount of chocolate? Also is the theobromine cumulative in the dogs body in any way? I'm hopeful that, provided the dog does not ingest any more chocolate, the dog can make a full recovery.

It's really not the intestinal tract that is hurt as much as the nervous system. If your dog eats any dark chocolate, I would take him to the vet immediately. Milk chocolate doesn't contain as much theobromine. Sometimes you don't see the effects until three days afterwards, so just because the dog survives the night, it doesn't mean he/she is out of danger.

[jinhopark]

Thankfully we rarely have chocolate in the house, except for around Halloween...but if we did it would most definitely be milk chocolate and not the dark or baking chocolate...dark chocolate, YUCKKKKK!!!

I hope it does not have a permanent effect on the nervous system.

Actually the stuff that worries me more is the healthier stuff that we have around the house, like onions, garlic, grapes/raisins, etc...although I understand that dogs aren't as "attracted" to those items and the quantities needed to adversely affect them is quite a bit higher.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jinhopark

Thankfully we rarely have chocolate in the house, except for around Halloween...but if we did it would most definitely be milk chocolate and not the dark or baking chocolate...dark chocolate, YUCKKKKK!!!

I hope it does not have a permanent effect on the nervous system.

Actually the stuff that worries me more is the healthier stuff that we have around the house, like onions, garlic, grapes/raisins, etc...although I understand that dogs aren't as "attracted" to those items and the quantities needed to adversely affect them is quite a bit higher.

Actually garlic is a big attracter, it won't hurt them in the qualities found in food, but a dog has been know to eat almost a whole bottle of garlic powder, and it did kill him, so garlic had to be added to the poison list. The ingredient in onion that is poisonous, builds up, so over time, it can be deadly. I think it takes quite a few raisons or grapes, but since Yorkies are so small, none would be the best idea.

By the way, you don't like chocolate chips? They're dark chocolate; I wish I didn't like them!

[lindaannschmidt]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Why chocolate poisons dogs and how to treat chocolate dog poisoning
While the pathetic begging look that goes across the face of a dog wanting chocolate can weaken the most stoic dog owner, stay firm. Do not give in. Ever.

Once dogs have tasted chocolate, they want more.

And for dogs, that's a bad thing.

You might disagree, thinking back to a time when you noticed a dog enjoying a tidbit of chocolate with no deleterious effect.

Don't be fooled.

The problem, according to veterinary experts, is that eating a speck of chocolate leads a dog to crave more. It can mean that your dog will jump at a opportunity to get any type of chocolate, not knowing that certain chocolates are more lethal than other types. Larger amounts of chocolate, particularly of the most toxic type, can bring about epileptic seizures in some dogs, and in all dogs, can kill.

Poisoning of dogs by chocolate is not as uncommon as you might think.

"Chocolate ingestions are one common reason why pet owners and veterinarians call us," said Dana Farbman, Certified Veterinary Technician and Manager, Client and Professional Relations, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "However, it would be difficult to verify an exact ranking in frequency of calls, as the types of substances we receive calls on can vary greatly depending on many factors, including the time of year. We generally do experience somewhat of a rise in chocolate calls around holidays, such as Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

Why is Chocolate Lethal?
Chocolate contains theobromine. A naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it's the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs.

Symptoms of Chocolate Dog Ingestion and Poisoning
You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, the evidence includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes and there's increased absorption of the toxic substance, you'll see an increase in the dog's heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting.

This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

How Much Chocolate Is Deadly?
If a 50-pound dog eats a teaspoonful of milk chocolate, it's not going to cause serious problems. However, if that same dog gorges himself on a two-layer chocolate cake, his stomach will feel more than upset and soon it's likely he'll be vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.

To answer the question "How much is too much" is not simple. The health and age of your dog must be considered. Obviously if your dog is aged and not in top shape, his reaction to a plate of chocolate is going to be different from a young healthy dog of the same weight.

Another fact that must be considered is this: Not all chocolate is the same. Some has a small amount of theobromine; another type has a large amount and still another contains an amount that is somewhere in between. The quantity has a relationship with the weight of your dog. Small dogs can be poisoned, it is easy to understand, from smaller amounts of theobromine than large dogs.

Which chocolate is the safest, relatively speaking? White chocolate. It has the least amount of theobromine: 1 mg per ounce. Far on the other side of the spectrum is baking chocolate, which has a huge 450 mg of theobromine per ounce!

Here are a few other chocolates for you to ponder: hot chocolate, 12 mg of theobromine per ounce; milk chocolate, 60 mg/oz; and up there near baking chocolate: semi-sweet chocolate with 260 mg/oz.

You might try using this to remember these chocolates from least to most toxic: What Happy Moose Says BAA? Or: White-Hot-Milk-Semi-Baked. If you have a better way to remember, contact us!

Knowing which chocolate is the most toxic is important, but leaves one wondering how much must be eaten to poison a dog. The list in this box should be helpful. Maybe you can clip it and post it on your refrigerator?


White chocolate: 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to cause signs of poisoning in a 20-pound dog, 125 pounds for a 10-pound dog.
Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. Approximately one pound of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20-pound dog; one-half pound for a 10-pound dog. The average chocolate bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 pound dog. Semi-sweet chocolate has a similar toxic level.
Sweet cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight. One-third of a pound of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20-pound dog; 1/6 pound for a 10-pound dog.
Baking chocolate: 0.1 ounce per pound body weight. Two one-ounce squares of bakers' chocolate is toxic to a 20-pound dog; one ounce for a 10-pound dog.

Thank you for this information. It was very helpful, especially the specifics about the amounts of chocolate that are harmful. I found my 3.5 pound yorkie nibbling on a Hershey's Kiss (milk chocolate), but snatched it before he ate much at all. Thanks again.

[hargraves05]

My Dixie is 2 yrs old and weighs about 8 lbs, I woke up this morning finding six almonds all over my floor not knowing what they were from i just threw them away. A few hours has gone by and all my Dixie wants to do is sleep. I was talking to my fourteen yr old son and he asked me what i did with the chocolate package he bought from school and I told him i threw it away he told me that he thinks Dixie got a hold of it yesterday sometime, so i dug it out of the trash and yes it had evidence of a dog eating on the package. I don't know if she is sick or just being tired. Please help me. If you know anything about the school candy they sell for lfundraisers its called "World's Finest Chocolate" it is Roasted Almonds covered in Rich milk chocolate. Each piece of candy is about the size of a quarter. The ingredients is the chocolate are : MILK CHOCOLATE(SUGAR, MILK, COCOA BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, SOYA LECITHIN [AN EMULSIFIER], VANILLLA [ AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR]); ROASTED ALMONDS (ALMONDS, COCOA BUTTER), CORN SYRUP, GUM ARABIC, AND CONFECTIOINER'S GLAZE.

PLEASE HELP!!!

[Patti]

How much chocolate do you think she ate? I would call the er vet and ask them what they think. Since it is probably too late to induce vomiting I would want a vets's opinion. Hopefully she will be fine. I would also tell your son how dangerous chocolate can be for dogs so he understands the importance of keeping it away from Dixie. A lot of adults aren't aware either so he shouldn't feel bad but at least he will know from now on. Keep us posted on how she is doing.

[Sarah Sadie]

Our dog became comatose after eating a great deal of chocolate, and was on IV with meds at the vet for a week before he could eat and drink anywhere close to normally. But he did survive. He is a garbage pit. We have to keep everything picked up from him.

[Lilly Rose]

My Yorkie ate 1 chocolate covered raisin !! Do I need to worry ?