Chocolate Toxicity During Easter

The Easter season is typically filled with celebrations, family gatherings, and traditional activities such as egg hunts and visits with the Easter Bunny. It’s also a holiday full of sweets and candies, including chocolate. If you are a dog owner, that makes Easter a potentially dangerous time for your pup because chocolates are toxic to dogs.

Although chocolate is dangerous for dogs, to what extent often depends on multiple factors, including the type of chocolate, the amount of chocolate consumed, and the size of the dog. Whereas a few small chocolate candies may result in an upset stomach in a large breed dog, those same candies may kill a smaller canine. In large amounts, chocolate and chocolate-based products can cause your dog to die.

Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?

Chocolate contains two problematic components for dogs: theobromine and caffeine. These compounds are found in chocolate and are responsible for some of its sweet taste. Unfortunately, that taste is appealing to canines, and just as deadly.

Theobromine

Theobromine is a compound chemical found in the cacao bean plant that acts as a stimulant. It influences the central nervous system, increases heart rate, and lowers blood pressure; however, in dogs, theobromine causes a series of severe side effects that can harm your dog’s well-being, including:

Acute nausea
Vomiting
Increased heart rate (above 120 bpm)
Diarrhoea
Rapid breathing
Increased body temperature
Seizures
Tremors
Increased urination
Hyperactivity

In severe cases, dogs who have ingested enough theobromine may suffer internal bleeding or a heart attack. Humans can easily digest theobromine, but dogs process it on a slower level which leads to a buildup of chocolate toxicity in the bloodstream.

Not all chocolate is created equal, especially where amounts of theobromine are concerned. Some types of chocolate have more theobromine in it and are therefore more harmful to your dog. The risk lies in how much of what kind of chocolate your dog has eaten and her size.. These are common types of chocolate listed according to the amount of theobromine in them:

Unsweetened chocolate baking powder
Dark chocolate (60 – 89% cocoa)
Sweet chocolate candy
Hot cocoa
Dark chocolate coated coffee beans
Cocoa powder
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Chocolate wafers
White milk chocolate
White chocolate

If your dog eats a piece of white chocolate, which has the least amount of theobromine, she may experience stomach upset. But just a small amount of dark chocolate, full of theobromine, is enough to poison a small dog.

Caffeine

As a cousin chemical to theobromine, caffeine also poses some problems if consumed by canines. Dogs are particularly sensitive to caffeine, and even small amounts within chocolate can cause death in small canines. The symptoms of caffeine poison via chocolate are the same as those of theobromine.

Combine theobromine with caffeine, and you have a potent chemical mix that can quickly overwhelm a dog’s central nervous and cardiovascular systems.

What to do if your dog eats chocolate in Easter holiday.

Because of the medical impact chocolate can have on your dog, you want to be on high alert during the Easter holiday where chocolate candies are readily available in bowls and Easter egg baskets within a dog’s reach.

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, your dog gets into things she shouldn’t. All it takes is one moment for your dog to sneak a piece of candy out of a basket.

What should you do if your dog eats chocolate?

The signs of chocolate toxicity appear within 6 – 12 hours of ingestion. If you see any of the symptoms of chocolate toxicity listed above present in your dog, call your veterinarian immediately for their advice. Other steps to take include writing down all the details of the chocolate you think your dog ate, including when she ate or drank it, how much she had, and any symptoms that the dog is exhibiting. You can also refer to the Chocolate Toxicity Calculator to determine the amount of chocolate your dog has ingested and its potential impact on her health.

Your veterinarian may ask you to bring your dog into the vet clinic, and they will treat your dog by inducing vomiting and giving your dog a piece of activated charcoal to remove the toxins from her bloodstream.

In severe cases, the veterinarian may keep your dog overnight, especially if she is experiencing seizures or heart difficulties. Medications or IV fluids may be used to help stabilize your pup’s cardiovascular and nervous systems. Regardless of the level of severity, if your dog has swallowed any chocolate, even small amounts, contact your veterinarian right away,

How can you prevent?

You and your family want to enjoy your Easter, chocolate bunny rabbits and chocolate-filled candy eggs and all. How can you enjoy your Easter holiday while ensuring that your pup doesn’t get her paws on a piece of chocolate? Here’s what you can do to keep your Easter a fun and safe celebration for everyone in your family, including your dog:

Put all chocolate out of your dog’s reach.

Store all items in your home with chocolate, including hot chocolate mixes and cocoa powder. Put these items on a high shelf in your pantry where your dog can’t reach them. Don’t leave chocolate candies out on tabletops, in pockets, or purses and handbags. Your dog will sniff the chocolate out of those locations in no time. Make it a new family habit to store potentially dangerous food items, like chocolate, high up and away from her reach.

Crate your dog.

Crate training a dog is a fairly straightforward process that allows you to confine your dog in a comfortable, secure environment. Make sure the crate includes some of your dog’s toys and treats to tide her over while you entertain your Easter guests. If you find your dog getting into anything and everything, putting her in a crate will keep her secure and safe from herself and any loose pieces of chocolate candy floating around.

Count number of Easter eggs

If you planning to hide Easter eggs in the garden, please count them before you hide, it will help you to collect them all or else your pooch may sniff and hunt chocolates.

Teach the “Leave It” command.

Take time to train your dog to respond to the “Leave It” command. This type of instruction is easy for you and your dog to learn. Better yet, this command will keep your dog safe. Should your dog pick up a piece of chocolate that has fallen to the floor, a crisp “Leave it!” will stop your dog from eating what she has in her mouth and drop it to the floor.

With some careful effort and planning, you can ensure that your dog has a happy and safe Easter holiday without any trips to the veterinarian.