Choc to the System: How Bad is Chocolate for Dogs?

A person who eats a large amount of chocolate on a regular basis might well have to deal with the consequences. In extreme cases, these consequences could include obesity and diabetes, but the chocolate is unlikely to be the sole cause, and it's not as though a one-off chocolate binge will have dire consequences -- for a human, anyway. It's different with dogs, whose bodies process theobromine at a much slower rate than humans. Theobromine is a naturally-occurring alkaloid found in cocoa, and so is present in chocolate. It acts as a stimulant, affecting a dog's heart and overall nervous system. An adverse reaction can range from an upset stomach, to vomiting and diarrhea, to seizures, cardiac arrest and even death. While the consequences can be grave, how do you know just how serious the situation is?

Degrees of Toxicity

Yes, chocolate can be toxic for dogs, even to the point of causing death. However, there are degrees of toxicity, depending on the amount and type of chocolate that has been consumed, along with the size and age of your dog. Chocolate consumption for dogs is not like a VX nerve agent would be for humans. A tiny amount of this substance can be lethal, but it's not comparable to a dog eating chocolate, where a tiny amount can simply result in an upset stomach and a general, temporary feeling of poor health, which your dog's immune system might be able to combat with no lasting consequences.

Risk Assessment

You can't always assume that your dog's immune system will quickly neutralise the potential toxicity of the chocolate, but you can't just assume that it's a vet emergency either. There's an online tool which allows you to calculate the threat, based upon the amount and type of chocolate consumed (as some types of chocolate products contain a higher percentage of theobromine than others), along with your dog's breed (and resulting size) and age, since a smaller, older dog could conceivably feel the potency of chocolate more than a larger, younger dog. Though not conclusive, such an online resource allows you to know what level of action needs to be taken.

Being Cautious

You might not have the ability to clearly calculate the type and quantity of chocolate your dog has consumed. What if you came into the kitchen to discover that your dog had managed to pull a chocolate cake off the table and eat the whole thing? You wouldn't know the weight of the cake, or the potency of the cocoa used to make it. Sometimes it's best to be cautious and contact your vet. If they suggest that it's an emergency case, they will need to see your dog immediately. Vomiting might be induced, and medication could be given to prevent the theobromine from spreading throughout your dog's bloodstream and nervous system.

If your dog is unfortunate enough to eat chocolate, hopefully it will only be a tiny amount resulting in nothing more than a sore tummy. However, you need to be aware that a large amount of chocolate can be potentially very dangerous for your poor pooch.