Q&A for How to Treat a Dog Who Ate Chocolate

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  • Question
    My dog ate a piece of brownie. Will she be okay?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    This depends on the size of your dog and how much brownie she ate. Most of the toxicity issues are related to dose. Since a brownie is only part chocolate, a large dog who stole a small piece is most likely going to be fine.
  • Question
    Three days ago, my dog ate dark chocolate and was sick. Now she has a tender stomach, is off her food, but is drinking. What should I do?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    After three days, the toxic ingredients in the chocolate will have cleared her system. However, the richness of chocolate can trigger pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. This is a painful condition which causes vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Make sure she is drinking, and only offer bland food (such as chicken and rice) to eat. If she does not improve within a few hours, see a vet.
  • Question
    My dog ate milk chocolate raisins. He is acting normally, but should I be worried?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    This is double trouble because both raisins and chocolate are toxic to dogs. The chocolate acts quickly (within minutes or hours), so if he's okay, that's good news. However, raisins can cause kidney failure, which might not show for days and weeks. It's best he has a blood test at the vet's to check if damage was done.
  • Question
    What are some signs that a dog has eaten chocolate?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Chocolate is a stimulant and has a variety of effects which include sickness and diarrhea, a racing heart, hyperactivity, and, in the worst cases, seizures, coma, and death. If your dog has a tummy upset, a galloping heart, and is unusually bouncy, then he might have ingested chocolate
  • Question
    My dog is a mini-pin chihuahua mix. Someone left some chocolate out, and I'm not sure if she ate some. It's been over two hours, but I don't have any hydrogen peroxide. What should I do?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Watch her closely and be vigilant for sickness, diarrhea, or being unusually active (chocolate is a stimulant and can make her hyperactive). If she has an upset stomach, then starve her for 24 hours but allow her access to clean drinking water. If she is overactive, then she should see a vet as this can also affect her heart and possibly cause seizures. Do not make her vomit once it has been over two hours since the suspected chocolate ingestion.
  • Question
    My dog ate chocolate and is now drinking a lot. Is this to be expected?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Yes. One of the stimulants in chocolate is also a diuretic. 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.
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