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Ask The Vet - Why Shouldn't Dogs Eat Chocolate

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Why shouldn't dogs and cats eat chocolate? Chocolate is derived from the beans of cacao fruit trees.  There are two main components in these beans which can be toxic to pets - theobromine and caffeine, however the caffeine content present in chocolate is much smaller than theobromine and is generally not a problem to pets.  Both dogs and cats commonly have a "sweet tooth" and can be attracted to chocolate, but dogs are most commonly affected by chocolate toxicity due to their olfactory system's ability to sniff it out.  Of the 4 main types of chocolate, white chocolate contains the least amount of theobromine, followed by milk chocolate and then semi-sweet chocolate.  Unsweetened or baker's chocolate contains the highest amount of theobromine at 8-10 times the rate present in milk chocolate. If you suspect your pet has eaten more than a few stray chocolate chips that fell on the floor, seek the advice of your veterinarian.  The signs commonly seen within 12 hours of ingestion of a toxic amount of chocolate are: excitement/nervousness/trembling vomiting/diarrhea excessive thirst/urination muscle spasms seizures There is no specific antidote for chocolate toxicity, but your vet is able to administer supportive medical treatments including intravenous fluid therapy, induce vomiting, charcoal therapy, anti-seizure and cardiac medications. Potential chocolate poisoning is an emergency situation for your pet; please call your veterinarian immediately to ensure your pet's well-being.