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Chocolate Toxicity
Did you know that chocolate can be poisonous to your pet? A caffeine derivitive found in chocolate, called theobromine, can lead to direct toxicity to your pet. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine, with unsweetened (or bakers) chocolate having the highest levels. In general, the lighter the chocolate is the less toxic it is. Therefore, after baking chocolate, semisweet and dark chocolate are still very dangerous in small amounts. Milk chocolate contains a much smaller percentage of theobromine, but should still be considered very dangerous to pets. Chocolate flavoured cookies contain the least amount of toxin. White chocolate contains almost no theobromine.
Clinical signs of chocolate toxicity can be:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hyperactivity
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Death
In addition to direct toxicity, chocolate is also very high in fat. When eaten in large amounts, this sudden high fat meal can potentially lead to a disease called pancreatitis. Signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Pancreatitis is a very painful disease, and in severe cases can be fatal.
If you find your pet has ingested chocolate please contact the hospital immediately, even if they are not showing signs of toxicity. If caught early enough, chocolate ingestion can be treated by inducing vomiting and preventing further absorption from the stomach.
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