My dog ate my chocolate stash

Dogs love chocolate and will take any opportunity to eat chocolate that is left around within reach. You can guarantee it will be gobbled right up. Unfortunately, chocolate is very toxic to dogs.

It’s the theobromine and caffeine in chocolate that is toxic to dogs. The amounts of these toxins can differ in the different types of chocolates. They’re highest in dark or cooking chocolate, less in milk chocolate and white chocolate has negligible amounts. As little as 20g of cooking chocolate can cause upset for a 10kg dog.

Common symptoms of chocolate toxicity include:

• vomiting
• tummy pain
• hyperactivity or agitation

Potentially progressing to:
• tremors
• seizures
• abnormal heart rhythms
• death

If your dog has just eaten chocolate, it is important that you speak to a vet as soon as possible with the information on the type and amount of chocolate eaten. When it comes to eating a toxic amount, the sooner decontamination, treatment and supportive care can be started, the better the outcome for your best friend.