Tip of the Month: What's Easter without Chocolate?
It's that bunny time of year with baskets of chocolate Easter eggs hidden everywhere! Delicious for adults and a wonderful joy for children but... BEWARE – chocolate, in any form, is toxic to dogs!
Eating chocolate is one of human's great pleasures however, please know that almost any amount of chocolate consumption can lead to a very sick pooch and actually has been know to be fatal in some cases. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine – both chemicals are very similar with theobromine taking first prize for dangerous affects.
As with many things, the amount can make all the difference – but tell that to your dog that has just found the chocolate Easter egg stash in the grass!
Part of what makes chocolate so dangerous to dogs is how slow the ingredients are digested once eaten. Once chocolate is swallowed caffeine levels peak in 30-60 minutes and half amount will be eliminated in 4.5 hours, while theobromine doesn't reach peak levels until after 10 hours and it can take 17.5 hours to eliminate even half of what was gobbled! The primary danger is excessive stimulation. How does that translate in symptoms to watch for? Probably vomiting, diarrhea and elevated heart rate (excessive panting, worrying, pacing anxiety). The most dangerous affect however is hyper-excitability and/or activity - not in terms of fast 'zoomies', but hyper response of the internal organs to the point of causing tremors, seizures and in some cases (depending on the size of dog, it's sensitivity to the chemical and the amount consumed),death.
Keep in mind that what may seem like just a little taste of chocolate may not have a dramatic affect on a large Doberman or German Shepherd type however that same small amount of chocoalte could be fatal for a small dog like a Poodle, Terrier or Shitzu.If you suspect that your dog ate an unknown amount of chocolate and is showing symptoms; has other health sensitivities or complications; is pregnant or lactating (theobromine can cross the placenta affecting puppies and be transferred in milk); please contact your vet right away. Remember that symptoms may not be seen for up to two hours after consuming but don't wait - a veterinarian's treatments will be most effective if performed as soon as possible after ingestion.
So... short version, enjoy all that Easter has to offer being extra careful to go to that fun Easter egg hunt leaving your dog at home with a dog treat and ...keep those special Easter chocolate goodie baskets up high or far away from Fido!
For more dog health and training tips, visit my Ask The Trainer page. Ask me about dog-owner training today as well!
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