What happens inside a dog's body after eating chocolate?

Dogs process theobromine much slower than humans, leading it to build up to toxic levels in their system. Dogs are very sensitive to caffeine. With caffeine, it takes 30 minutes to an hour to reach peak concentrations in their bloodstream and cause signs of clinical toxicity.

The effects of chocolate on a pet depends on a few factors: how big the pet is, how much they ate, and how dark the chocolate is. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of theobromine, the ingredient that pets are sensitive to. Cocoa powder can have up to 10 percent theobromine. It's all dependent on how dark the chocolate is, where the cacao beans are grown and the brand. According to Hershey's, the theobromine content for their different types of chocolate is as follows. 1½ ounce Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar - 74 milligrams 1½ ounce Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar - 184 milligrams 1½ ounce semi-sweet chocolate chips - 165 milligrams 1½ ounce unsweetened baking chocolate - 466 milligrams 1 Hershey's Kiss - 8.2 milligrams 2 tbsp chocolate syrup - 70 milligrams Theobromine is digested and metabolized very slowly in dogs. The alkaline substance increases the heart rate and slows blood pressure. It also increases urination, causing dehydration. In addition, many digestive problems can occur. Symptoms to watch for generally occur in the first 12 hours. They include: Diarrhea Excitability Increased urination Irritability Muscle tremors Rapid pulse Restlessness Vomiting Left untreated, the dog can develop seizures and die from ingesting too much chocolate. This is where it is important to know exactly how much your dog has eaten. It's important to contact your veterinarian if your dog eats chocolate. In mild cases, you'll be advised to induce vomiting within the first two hours and then watch for signs of chocolate poisoning. If anything alarming occurs, seek veterinary care immediately. If veterinary care is necessary, charcoal is used to absorb as much theobromine as possible. The stomach may be pumped to remove additional chocolate before it digests. The heart is closely monitored and arrhythmias will be treated if they occur. IV fluids may be ordered to prevent dehydration. Seizures will be treated with medications. According to the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, ingesting 20 milligrams of theobromine can cause mild poisoning. Ingesting 60 milligrams can lead to seizures. A lot of this depends on the dog's size.

It is likely that most of the caffeine and theobromine will have been digested and absorbed prior to defecation. I would monitor for any symptoms in the other dog to be on the safe side. As with any chocolate toxicity, it is best to have your veterinarian examine your dog to administer the most appropriate treatment. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Wow - Mochi had quite the dessert! J/K. Thank you for asking this question. Please check the type of chocolate in the ice cream. If it is milk chocolate, MOST LIKELY it will not cause any major symptoms of chocolate toxicity. However, espresso can be quite strong for a little dog, like Mochi, and could potential be toxic. Signs of caffeine toxicity MAY occur and would be similar to chocolate toxicity. I would not recommend to induce vomiting at this time based on the information you have given. However, the quantity of these products seems like a very small amount I think it is most like to not be a problem. The first signs you would be looking for are vomiting, diarrhea, agitation and/or hyper excitability. If any of these have already started or you see them within the next couple of hours I would recommend to either call the ASPCA number to speak directly to a toxicologist: 888-299-2973 There is a fee to speak to a veterinary toxicologist, however it will be worth it if you need it! or call your local emergency clinic and speak with a veterinary technician about Mochi's symptoms.

You can expect mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea or decreased appetite). The amount is not enough to cause serious toxicity in a 15lb dog, but you should still monitor for tremors, increased heart rate, hyperactivity or seizures. Minor GI upset can usually be managed at home with a 24 hour fast followed by a bland diet in small, frequent amounts until symptoms resolve. Ideally, Mojito should be examined by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. Either can induce vomiting if the ingestion has happened in the last two hours, then administer activated charcoal to further inhibit absorption.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the severity is dependent on the amount of chocolate eaten. If you can determine the type of chocolate (white, milk, dark, etc.) and the exact amount (number of ounces or grams), then you can call your local 24 hour clinic and ask if that amount is toxic or not. If it is, then you will need to get Vito to throw up, and then depending on what is thrown up and how much chocolate was ingested, IV fluids, and medications, might be required. Chocolate toxicity causes vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia (high heart rate), arrythmias (Abnormal heart beat rhythm), tremors, seizures and death, often in that order, depending on how much was eaten. Best of luck with Vito, hopefully it wasn't too much chocolate.

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats cannot consume chocolate as they do not break down theobromine and caffeine the same way we do. Cats break these chemicals down much slower then we do. When given, these chemicals can negatively affect the central nervous system as well as the cardiovascular system. Here is a list of potential side effects of consuming chocolate in cats: Tachycardia and arrythmias Vomiting Diarrhea Seizures Tremors Lethargy Death Not to mention, the fat and sugar in chocolate can cause pancreatitis. I hope this helps!