If your veterinarian's office is closed for the holidays, call an emergency veterinarian or the Pet Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435*. Youll find it as a nutrition supplement at your health food store. The onset of chocolate signs is not always rapid it can take up to eight hours for stimulatory signs to be seen. This article has been viewed 1,303,847 times. And if you can pinpoint how long he was unsupervised, that may helpestablish the timelinetoo. On the other hand, if a large 100 pound dog eats 10 ounces of milk chocolate, he would have about 6.5 mg of methylxanthine and would show little, if any, side effects other than possibly diarrhea. The 35% discount automatically applies to your first-time, qualifying Repeat Delivery purchase and is reflected in the "Promotions" line in your Order Summary at Checkout. Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam, followed possibly by a chemical blood profile, electrolyte panel and a urinalysis. They are diuretics, heart stimulants, blood vessel dilators, and smooth muscle relaxants in people. On average, bakers chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce, semi-sweet contains 150mg per ounce, and milk chocolate contains 44mg per ounce. Activated charcoalis reserved for high-dose cases, particularly when emesis results have been poor. Give the dog about one teaspoonful of hydrogen peroxide (3%). Either way, you could save thousands of dollars and be able to get your pet the care it needs, when an emergency happens. For example, 18 mg per pound of bakers chocolate might make a healthy adult seriously ill, but kill a senior or puppy dog. That means it takes quite a while to leave the body. Be aware that both services charge a fee of approximately $65.00 although they will open a case to consult with your veterinarian for no additional costs. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. These include mild to severe stomach and esophagus irritation and inflammation, possible aspiration (getting the material in the lungs which could cause death) and even having bubbles form in the bloodstream (also potentially deadly). Bakers chocolate is the most toxic type of chocolate for dogs, while milk chocolate is the least toxic. Treatments of activated charcoal may berepeated to reduce the continued resorption and recirculation of theobromine. Free Standard Shipping Exclusions: cat litter, dog litter, ice melter, wild bird food; live fish, rock and sand, ocean water, crystals and salt; aquatic gravel and accents; crickets, live and frozen food.

Yes, chocolate is toxic to dogs. Its a good idea to call your vet even if you think your dog didnt eat much chocolate. Medication to treat restlessness and other signs mayalso be necessary. Learn about the ASPCAs most recent program providing access to veterinary care in Brooklyn.

You might need to begin treatment at home immediately, or you might need to head to a veterinarian's office. Dogs are too sensitive to these chemicals and that makes the theobromine content in chocolate deadly to your dog. Very basic supplies include (but are not limited to)syringes for oral dosing or flushing out wounds, gauze pads to clean wounds or control bleeding, iodine solution for disinfecting wounds, tweezers, scissors, a leash, a muzzle, white surgical tape, cotton balls, and hydrogen peroxide. The Petco name is used for the brand name. Your pet may receive intravenous fluids and oxygen. If a toxic amount is ingested, you should have your dog examined by a veterinarian immediately. The vet might also advise you to induce vomiting and observe your dog. // fnGetNearestLocations(storeId, expirationMin, isHTML5Geolocation, isGoogleGeoAPI, HTML5GeoTimeout, XHRTimeout, isDebuggingEnabled) Make note of any symptoms you have observed in your pet, and when they started. Additional exclusions may apply and will be noted on the Product Detail page and/or Shopping Cart. Can Teething Cause Puppy Vomiting? Cat litter, dog litter, wild bird food, live & frozen food. These places are usually open many hours and are a good place to take an animal in distress. Promotion Code does not apply to international orders. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. If your dog has eaten chocolate, try to figure out what type of chocolate they have ingested, since baker's chocolate has more chocolate in it and can be more dangerous than white chocolate, which has a low chocolate content. To put this in perspective, a medium-sized dog weighing 50 pounds would only need to eat 1 ounce of baker's chocolate, or 9 ounces of milk chocolate, to potentially show signs of poisoning. Subtotal refers to the amount of order before taxes and shipping.

Methylxanthines are also diuretics and more fluid losses occur in the urine. Free Standard Shipping is available for first-time Repeat Delivery orders over $35. She is very tired this morning. Mix it 1:1 with water. Treatment of chocolate ingestions largely revolves around managing gastrointestinal signs and controlling any cardiovascular and neurologic stimulation. When a dog has eaten around 18 mg or more per pound of weight, he is likely to become very sick. Dogs should never, ever have access to chocolate. It is rare for deaths to occur. Try to get as many details about the ingestion as you can, including: How long ago did ingestion occur? She showed initials signs, but now is OK. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Exclusions include JustFoodForDogs products; cat litter; dog litter; ice melter; wild bird food; live fish & rock; aquatic gravel and accents; crickets; live food and frozen food; out-of-stock items; Petco or Unleashed by Petco Gift Cards; items shipped through white glove delivery or LTL delivery; orders exceeding the maximum weight limit of 300 lbs. Click here for all terms and conditions. However, it's best to contact your vet no matter how much your dog eats, as its reaction may vary. Small amounts of chocolate may only cause some diarrhea and stomach distress. Of course, you won't need to give your dog either remedy if he begins vomiting on his own. The soonertreatmentbegins, the better your dog's prognosis. Too much peroxide could potentially do even more harm to a dog. These are caffeine andtheobromine. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This is double trouble because both raisins and chocolate are toxic to dogs. Plus, discover pet-friendly alternatives to melting snow and ice. Adding the osmotic effects of activated charcoal into the mix can result in ahypernatremia disaster. Discount applied to the product price before taxes and shipping at the time your repeat delivery order ships. Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. remains in the bloodstream for a longer period. Youll need to use a syringe to squirt the mixture into his mouth between his back teeth so hell swallow it. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline to see if a poisonous amount of chocolate was ingested. *Free Standard shipping on $35 applies to your minimum subtotal and is calculated based on your shipping address and applicable Standard Shipping rates. Approved. This article saved us a trip to the emergency vet. Carob looks and tastes like chocolate butdoesnt contain deadly theobromine. Caution: Dont feed white chocolate as a treat! Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or P.O.

Maximum discount amount is $50. Please ask for the cost before proceeding. All that fat and sugar is just as bad for him! In extreme cases, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures will be treated as they occur. As a general rule, the darker the chocolate your dog eats, the more serious the problem and the sicker he will get. ", fine. Inducing emesis in a pet who has been vomiting at home may not be productive. This is really a last ditch effort to help your dog in the absence of any professional veterinary care, and ideally should only be done on the advice of your veterinarian. Treatment will depend on the severity of the poisoning. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Items shipping directly from third parties may take longer to arrive. Some specialty dog bakeries will use a small amount of. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. The length of time it's been in the dog's system also makes a difference. https://www.petco.com/shop/PetcoPingUserType?requesttype=ajax&catalogId=10051&storeId=10151&langId=-1. }); Click to view our Accessibility Statement, Thursday (1-day transit only, unless Sat delivery is possible), Lack of coordination or wobbly movements (ataxia). Pre-existing conditions are not covered. amount and type of chocolate eaten. It depends on the type of chocolate and the condition of the dog.

"After checking this article, I was relieved that my dog, even though she ate a piece of dark chocolate, is now, "Learned how dangerous chocolate is for dogs and got her to the emergency vet who treated her by inducing vomiting. Call 877-738-6742 to request a price match. These can cause pancreatitis in severe cases or in dogs that have more sensitive stomachs.

STOP! Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning can take several hours to develop. Is this to be expected? 7 More Likely Causes, Havanese Dog Temperament, Characteristicsand Care, What Is Pyometra in Dogs? If your dog does not eat the charcoal on its own, mixed with a little canned food, then syringing into their mouth may be needed. One of the stimulants in chocolate is also a diuretic. Please refine your selection. This would be 33 mg per pound, which would be a dangerously high level. How to Respond to "I Love You" in Any Situation, 100+ Good Night Love Quotes to Say to Your Sweetheart, 12 Best Wooden Wick Candles for the Perfect Ambient Crackle, 105 Cute and Unique Girl Names That Start With L, 60 Heartfelt Veterans Day Quotes to HonorOur Heroes. In order to qualify for the buy online and pickup in-store discount, you must choose the "I'll Pick It Up" option, choose your store and add to your Shopping Cart. "Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning can take hours to develop and last for days.". Proof of current vaccinations required. The 50% off discount is valid only on first-time Repeat Delivery orders of Gentle Giants and Blue Buffalo True Solutions. Vomiting helps purge theobromine from your dog's tummy, but there's still a chance that the chemical has already entered his bloodstream if it has been in his tummy too long. Call your veterinarian immediately. If the chart shows that your dog ate enough to be harmful, call your veterinarian. Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco when you use Petco Pay! In some cases, your pet may need to be hospitalized for the night and a 24 hour emergency hospital is the best choice. The APCC has suggestions on what to do if this happens. promote theobromine excretion. Oversized or heavy items may incur an additional per-item shipping & handling fee or surcharge. Symptoms may not show up for a few hours (seeSymptoms Of Chocolate Poisoningbelow), so hopefully youll find evidence like empty wrappers to give you a clue that your dog ate chocolate. Promotion Code cannot be redistributed or used in combination with any other offer or online promotion code. In California, PetCoach, LLC does business as PetCoach Insurance Solutions Agency (CA License No. The discount applies to your online purchase subtotal for the pickup in-store products only. Carob is often an ingredient in dog treats and baking. The concentration of Theo bromine is highest in dark chocolate, making it the most potentially toxic. ", and giving her charcoal. In that situation, you can continue to monitor him and watch for further signs of toxicity. Use 1 tsp per 5 pounds of body weight. Unfortunately, this raises the danger level considerably because of the chance for getting the charcoal in the lungs and is therefore not recommended. There are many companies providing health insurance for pets now, so do some research and find a plan that is affordable for you. Common anti-emetics should be administered to control excessive vomiting. Note that your dogs stool will be black and constipation is possible. Dogs that have reached the seizure and collapse stage are more likely to die from chocolate poisoning as well as geriatric dogs and puppies. If he doesnt vomit in 15 minutes, try it again, but no more. Cocoa bean mulch or cocoa shell mulch yes, garden mulch contains theobromineand can be toxic. It is very common to provide supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid therapy to help stabilize a dog and promote theobromine excretion. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2022 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Dogs and chocolate are especially an issue around Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays. It's been over two hours, but I don't have any hydrogen peroxide. That is why dogs are more sensitive to the chemicals effects. However, the richness of chocolate can trigger pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Although these home treatments can be helpful, they are not meant to replace professional veterinary advice and care. Use a ceramic or glass bowl and a plastic spoon to stir in the clay because it can absorb metal from bowls or utensils. Kelly is a former Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, and Poodle breeder and specialized in handling Toy and Non-Sporting group breeds.

Some symptoms, which can occur over the course of three days, are: In extreme cases, your dog will have seizures and fall into a coma. If you see chocolate in the vomit, that means your dog ate chocolate recently and hasnt digested it. "The information helped me understand what was happening to my dog after he ate chocolate. Some specialty dog bakeries will use a small amount of milk chocolate intreats. FREE US SHIPPING BOTH WAYS * FREE CANADIAN SHIPPING OVER $99. Baking chocolate and gourmet dark chocolate are highly concentrated and contain 130-450 mg of theobromine per ounce. Find a qualifying product. Invest in pet health insurance before you have an emergency. After three days, the toxic ingredients in the chocolate will have cleared her system.

Will she be okay? Different chocolates will affect dogs differently. If you get charcoal in the lungs, that can be fatal to the dog. The discount applies to your online purchase subtotal for the pickup in-store products only. Purchase in a Petco store or on Petco.com required for free application. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can. treatment hotline: top 10 calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center every, 2021 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The recipe if its a baked good (particularly if it is sugar-free or contains raisins or alcohol). Note: Giving your dog a small snack before the hydrogen peroxide can make him more likely to throw up, especially if his last meal was more than 2 hours ago. Research source If she is overactive, then she should see a vet as this can also affect her heart and possibly cause seizures.

[1] You may not be able to treat the dog by yourself. Ask a store partner for details. If he doesn't, you can administer just one more dose. Make sure the product you would like to price match is identical to our competitor's product. If you discover your dog eating chocolate, remove it immediately. If he had some symptoms, he might not have an appetite for a few days. The staff provides treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. If your vet tells you to go ahead, dose at 1 to 5 g per kilogram of your dogs weight depending on the amount of chocolate you think he ate. Exclusions: ORIJEN; ACANA; Hill's Prescription Diet; Royal Canin; True Chews; Educator, PetSafe brands including PetSafe, Kurgo, Solvit, ScoopFree, Drinkwell, SportDog and Invisible Fence; Purina Brands including Pro Plan, Beyond, Tidy Cats, Fancy Feast, Muse, Yesterday's News; WholeHearted Memberships; Repeat Delivery orders and subscriptions; out-of-stock items; prior purchases; Donations; Petco Gift Cards and eGift Cards. For a 16-pound dog, it would only take four ounces of baker's chocolate (or one pound of milk chocolate); for a 10-pound cat, it would only take about one ounce of baker's chocolate. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine.

What should I do? So if your dog shows signs of chocolate poisoning and he hasnt been near your chocolate stash, your yard mulch could be the culprit!

The 35% off discount is valid only on first-time Repeat Delivery orders. Dont use cocoa bean mulch when you have a dog opt for natural cedar mulch instead. No promo code needed.

It's best he has a blood test at the vet's to check if damage was done. Signs, Symptoms and Treatment. Do not use K9 Advantix II on cats. The ASPCA Poison Control Center offers recommendations for rodenticides ingested by horses. Now she has a tender stomach, is off her food, but is drinking. Its up to you to recognize these hidden dangers and have a well-stocked first aid kit just in case he does. If the "I'll Pick It Up" option is not available, it is not available in stores. If the peroxide has not induced vomiting after 15 minutes, give the dog another dose and wait. Carob lookssimilar tochocolate and the two are often confused. The dosage is based on your dog's weight, but a single dose of 1/4 teaspoon may be enough to make your dog throw up after eating chocolate. Treatment depends on theamount and type of chocolate eaten. To prevent further absorption, activated charcoal may be administered. For advice from our veterinary reviewer on inducing vomiting, scroll down! Please help us improve. What are some signs that a dog has eaten chocolate? No promo code needed. You may notice symptoms a couple of hours after your pet has eaten chocolate or it could take up to several hours. Then, call your veterinarian, who will give you further instructions. The chocolate acts quickly (within minutes or hours), so if he's okay, that's good news. Quick action is the key to make sure your dog doesnt absorb much theobromine. The discount is valid only for existing Repeat Delivery subscribers. Since the amount of theobromine is typically low, this may be safe for most dogs. Eligible brands include Wholehearted, Good Lovin', You & Me, So Phresh, Well & Good, Reddy, Harmony, Bond & Co, Good2Go, EveryYay, Bowlmates, Imagitarium and Leaps & Bounds. Several factors can determine how sick a dog may become if they eat chocolate, including weight, age, health and the type and amount of chocolate consumed. // Forces popover to close when the user clicks anywhere on the page "My dog ate about three fourths of 198g of milk chocolate, and a quick search helped me treat her almost. The higher the amount of methylxanthines in the chocolate, the more dangerous it will be, and darker chocolate has higher levels than milk chocolate: According to PetMD, chocolate will begin to make your dog react once he has eaten at least 9 mg of methylxanthines per one pound of weight. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, as it contains a chemical called theobromine, which can cause elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure, and even seizures. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. Baker's chocolate contains about 450 milligrams of Theo bromine per ounce; semi-sweet chocolate contains about 260 milligrams per ounce; and milk chocolate contains about 60 milligrams per ounce. Medications such as diazepam, midazolam, acepromazine or methocarbamol are commonly utilized. Then youre prepared in case your dog eats chocolate: If you are certain your dog ate chocolate,stay calm. Watch her closely and be vigilant for sickness, diarrhea, or being unusually active (chocolate is a stimulant and can make her hyperactive). You still need to watch for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, thirst and restlessness. This is based on your default shipping address. This way it also reduces your dogs nausea,diarrheaand vomiting. Fluids are also used to address dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities that can occur secondary to vomiting or diarrhea. She may suggest you follow steps 2-4. Free Standard Shipping is available for first-time Repeat Delivery orders over $49. Insurance plans are marketed and offered by PetCoach, LLC. Free Standard Shipping is available for first-time Repeat Delivery orders over $35. What should I do? NEVER give your dog any amount of chocolate of any kind. On petco.com we'll match the online advertised price for these key competitors: chewy.com, petsmart.com, walmart.com, target.com, amazon.com, and jet.com. All subsequent shipments of your Repeat Delivery include Free Standard Shipping. Then follow these steps. PetCoach, LLC is a licensed insurance producer, not an insurer, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. Squirt it into your dogs mouth as you would for hydrogen peroxide. Death will be caused by your dog having a cardiac arrest brought on by the chocolate toxicity. Dark Chocolate (70-85% cocoa) 3.6 oz (101 g). Dont miss out on our newsletter, featuring all the latest stories and products we love. Do not let the dog eat chocolate again, even if they have not physical reaction to it. All dogs ingesting. Poisoning can occur at a dose as low as 220 milligrams per pound of body weight. Sometimes patients are administered medications or other products via the wrong route. TheAPCC (the ASPCA Poison Control Center)says activated charcoal shouldonly be used for high dose casesof chocolate toxicity, because it might causehypernatremia(elevated sodium levels that can be risky). Signs due to large exposurescan last for days due to the long half-life of theobromine. Actual charges and delivery estimates will be noted in the Product Detail page and/or Shopping Cart and may vary based upon carrier availability. Is the pet showing signs? Discount will be reflected in the Cart. The qualifying subtotal excludes any Repeat Delivery orders or One-Time delivery orders. The latter is a substance which causes the kidney to produce more urine, so the dog will pee more and need to drink to replace the lost fluid. If treated early, decontaminationincludinginducingvomiting and administeringactivated charcoal topreventabsorption of theobromine into the body may be all that is necessary. So if you know your dog ate chocolate, heres what to do and when you need to call your vet. Always keep chocolate out of reach and teach children about the dangers of feeding chocolate to your family pet. The charcoal binds with the theobromine to help it pass harmlessly through the system. At higher doses, your dog or cat could die from irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmia) or failure of the heart to beat (cardiac arrest). A 15 pound dog eats 1 ounce of unsweetened baker's chocolate. Thismeans that it remains in the bloodstream for a longer period. There are possible side effects to ingesting Hydrogen Peroxide, even once. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs arevomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. If she does not improve within a few hours, see a vet. Due to the high sugar content of chocolate, it has an osmotic effect in the gastrointestinal tract pulling free water out of the vasculature. The smaller the pet, the less chocolate it takes to make them sick. % of people told us that this article helped them. However, raisins can cause kidney failure, which might not show for days and weeks. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Petco.com in its sole discretion may refuse to redeem any Promotion that it believes in good faith to be fraudulently or improperly obtained. There are plans that cover emergencies only and others that provide more comprehensive insurance for every day situations. Promotion cannot be redistributed or used in combination with any other offer. This will help your vet calculate the potential toxicity of the chocolate. Managing stimulatory signs such as hyperactivity, muscle tremors or seizures should be done as needed. Never try to administer activated charcoal to an unconscious dog. Semi-sweet and dark chocolate toxicity falls somewhere in the middle. Do not give any more than two doses of it. It is important to seek medical attention by calling your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline as soon as you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate. But if he didnt have any signs, watch him to be on the safe side. ; and applicable taxes. Even if the amount ingested is not a toxicity concern, dogs can still become ill from the fat and sugarin chocolate. Enroll at petco.com/petco-insurance. All rights reserved. Activated charcoal blocks absorption of theobromine. In the last 10 years, the APCC has been more reserved about when to administer activated charcoal. most veterinarians recommend that you avoid giving your dog chocolate in any form. 50 ml syringe (available in packs of assorted sizes). 2022 Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. All rights reserved. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helplines fee of $65 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the poison case. But unfortunately,it might also be 6-12 hours before you see signs of poisoning. This is a painful condition which causes vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. In addition, pancreatitis may result secondary to chocolate ingestion (triggered by the fat content), which may resolve on its own with a bland diet (non-fat cottage cheese and white rice) for a few days, or may be serious enough to require hospitalization. If you don't have ipecac on hand, there are other. Be prepared to tell your veterinarian what type of chocolate your pet ate, what amount and when the chocolate was consumed, if known. Heres a breakdown of theobromine content in some common chocolate. Not available in all states. All subsequent shipments of your Repeat Delivery include Free Standard Shipping. Can Dogs Eat Grapes Without Any Negative Impacts? Better yet, only give Hydrogen Peroxide based on your veterinarians recommendation. Complications suchas developing aspiration pneumonia from vomiting, can make the prognosis for chocolate poisoning worse. Sinus tachycardia is the most common arrhythmia noted with chocolate intoxication, and if the heart rate remains high in a no longer agitated patient, a beta blocker such as propranolol may be needed. Discount taken on the Petco regular price and is reflected in the product's Repeat Delivery price. More information available at checkout. Occasionally a fatality occurs if a pet (usually a dog) has consumed a large amount of chocolate and treatment has been delayed until the chocolate has been fully absorbed. After the vomiting has subsided, you can give him activated charcoal if your vet thinks that is wise under the circumstances.

Boxes will result in a surcharge. 200+Chocolate Lab Puppy Names as Sweet as They Are, Heartworm Medications Overdose Signs (and Ways to Avoid It). If treated early, decontaminationincludinginducingvomiting and administeringactivated charcoal topreventabsorption of theobromine into the body may be all that is necessary. For many dogs, ingesting small amounts of milk chocolate is not harmful. Clinical signs depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. It may not kill the dog if it's thrown up in an hour, but it might if it's still in there a couple hours later.