With Easter fast approaching we start thinking about the increased risks of chocolate poisoning in dogs
at this time of year. Dogs are very sensitive to Theobromine, the active ingredient in chocolate. Dogs are
over 3 times more sensitive to Theobromine than humans. They generally have a lower body weight
than us, and a big appetite for sweet things so are easily at risk. Cats are even more sensitive but
thankfully they aren’t as attracted to chocolate as dogs are.
Mild toxicity can cause vomiting and diarrhoea whilst larger doses can cause convulsions and even
death. The effects can take effect within a few hours and there is no antidote. Treatment includes making
them sick as quickly as possible, giving absorbents, IV fluid and anticonvulsants if seizuring.
Theobromine is present in larger quantities in darker chocolates. Cooking chocolate, cocoa powder and
dark chocolate are the most dangerous.
Why not take your Quiz to see how much is too much.
For each type of chocolate listed. Which ones are toxic and which ones could be fatal if untreated
for each of the dogs below?
Types of chocolate:
A. 100g bag of mini Easter eggs
B. 180g small kids milk chocolate Easter egg
C. 480g large milk chocolate Easter egg
D. 200g Dark (80% cocoa) Easter egg.
Matilda is a 1.1 kg miniature pinscher puppy.
Harry and George are 5 year old brothers, both
weighing around 8kg. They do everything together.
Sasa is a 12 year old collie and weighs 18 kg.
Emma is a 45kg, 2 year old Rottweiler who loves to
take it easy!
Answers:
Matilda: Her low body weight makes her especially at risk. Just half a bag of mini eggs is enough to be
fatal. 1 or 2 eggs could cause poisoning. The other types of eggs would be rapidly fatal.
Harry & George: it’s always difficult when there are 2 or more dogs involved to know how much each
ate. It is safer to assume either one may have eaten it all. An 8 kg dog will be poisoned by the 100g bag
of mini eggs and the small kids Easter egg. The large milk chocolate Easter egg and Dark chocolate egg
would likely to be fatal if untreated.
Sasa: the small kids Easter egg would cause some poisoning. The large Egg and the Dark chocolate
would cause severe poisoning if untreated.
Emma: her large body weight makes her a little more resistant to the effects, however she is able to eat
a lot more! She could be poisoned by the large egg and the dark chocolate egg.
This is only a rough guide but hopefully highlights how easily poisoning can happen. Here are some take
home points:
 It’s amazing how dogs can reach those ‘out of reach’ places
 It’s not uncommon for dogs to eat a 1kg or more, particularly at Easter and Christmas
 White chocolate is much less risky but not zero risk
 Speed is of the essence. If we can make them sick within 1 hour of swallowing the chocolate
then we can greatly reduce the amount they absorb
 Theobromine stays in the blood for some time so a little bit of chocolate regularly as a treat can
add up to toxic levels
 Other than the Theobromine, chocolate contains larges amount of fat and sugar which can
trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs
It’s best not to give your pets any chocolate.
Keep it completely out of reach and enjoy it yourself!