Is Chocolate Bad for Dogs?

Chloe Bennett
Chloe Bennett
• • 8 min read

Chocolate Is Poisonous to Dogs Mostly Because of Its Theobromine Theobromine Theobromine, Also Known as Xantheose, Is a Bitter Alkaloid of the Cacao Plant...

Is Chocolate Bad for Dogs?

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine

theobromine
Theobromine, also known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant, with the chemical formula C7H8N4O2. It is found in chocolate, as well as in a number of other foods, including the leaves of the tea plant, and the kola nut.
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content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health concerns.

How much chocolate kills a dog?

Dog owners often ask how much chocolate can kill a dog. While there is no right or wrong answer to this, we know dogs show symptoms of poisoning when they eat 20mg of theobromine (the toxic chemical in chocolate) for every kilogram they weigh. These symptoms become severe at 40 to 50mg per kg.

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What happens if dogs eat chocolate?

Clinical signs depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. For many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

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Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.