Chocolate Poisoning: Why Dogs Can Die from Eating It

Part 1: Why Can Dogs Die from Eating Chocolate?

1. Chocolate containing over 35% cocoa can be fatal to dogs. While consuming a lot of dark chocolate might give humans a sense of increased blood flow and heart rate, dogs' hearts are not equipped to handle such stress. This can lead to cardiac arrest and vascular rupture, which is the primary reason why dogs should not eat chocolate.

Additionally, dogs cannot consume foods rich in natural cocoa powder, which can also place a burden on their hearts. Generally, chocolate bars and cookies with minimal cocoa content do not pose a significant risk to dogs.

2. The risk of chocolate poisoning in dogs is directly related to the type of chocolate, the size of the dog, and the amount consumed. The purer the chocolate, the smaller the dog, the higher the risk of poisoning.

3. Theobromine, a component of cocoa and caffeine found in chocolate, is the main source of harm. For dogs, the lethal dose is approximately 100200mg/kg of theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is the primary cause of chocolate poisoning in dogs; there are 115mg of theobromine in every kilogram of chocolate, and in pure chocolate, this amount is about 29.6 grams per ounce, which equals 400mg.

This means that a onekilogram dog could be poisoned by just 9 grams of pure chocolate. With the popularity of small dogs, it only takes a moment for them to consume 2030 grams of chocolate (most chocolate bars on the market weigh between 6080 grams), making the risk of poisoning quite high.

Part 2: Symptoms and Treatment of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

1. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination, restlessness, excessive activity, and a rapid heart rate. In severe cases, dogs may exhibit unsteady gait, cyanosis, arrhythmia, seizures, and may ultimately die due to cardiovascular failure.

2. Treatment for chocolate poisoning primarily involves supportive medication, and in severe cases, bladder catheterization may be necessary to prevent the double absorption of toxins through the urinary tract mucosa.

Tip: Click 'What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate' for more information on treating chocolate poisoning in dogs.