And, while all of this sounds scary, the good news is: there are ways you can better prepare yourself by understanding how to respond to such a potential pet toxin situation.

What Makes Chocolate Dangerous to Pets?

When most people think about why chocolate is dangerous to pets, they often think it’s because of the caffeine. And, while caffeine is a toxic ingredient in chocolate, the bigger offender is its relative theobromine.

Theobromine – like caffeine – is in a family of chemicals often referred to as stimulants. After all, these stimulating family of chemicals are what give us that important morning energy burst. Unfortunately, cats and dogs are much more sensitive to theobromine because they cannot process it as rapidly or as efficiently as we can. Depending on your pet’s weight, how much chocolate was consumed, and what type of chocolate was consumed, these factors will determine the level of risk.

So, What Should You Do if Your Pet Eats Chocolate?

Getting back to our initial scenario – we come home to find Spot next to a candy bar wrapper… now what?

First of all, if you do know how much chocolate your dog or cat has consumed and when he or she may have consumed the chocolate, make a mental note of this. Since it is often hard to determine how your pet might react, it’s best to call our office for next steps or to get your pet in for an examination.

By phoning, we can help you determine your pet’s risk and whether emergency veterinary care is needed based on the following information:

  • Your pet’s breed, size, and whether or not any preexisting health challenges exist
  • What kind of chocolate was consumed (white chocolate, for example, contains the least amount of theobromine; while baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate contains more)
  • Approximate time the chocolate was consumed
  • Amount of chocolate consumed.

You will also want to watch for these symptoms:

  • Rapid breathing
  • Restlessness or agitation
  • Increased heart rate
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle spasms

Higher levels of toxicity can result in seizures and other life threatening conditions. Please treat these symptoms as you would a pet emergency and get your pet to a clinic right away.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, there is no need to panic over every piece of chocolate. By taking the time to keep chocolate and other candy and treats away from our pets (remember, Xylitol and common pet toxins), we can keep them safe during this chocolate inspired celebration.

And, if you want to indulge your pet with a special Valentine’s Day pet treat, consider making some of these delicious homemade pet snacks for your favorite fur sweetie.

Have a happy Valentine’s Day!