The Dog Bowl Pet Supply and BARF Raw Food Blog

Deadly Halloween Warning for Your Pets: The Killer is Chocolate!

Halloween is a few days away and everywhere families are getting ready with costumes, candy, and parties - who wouldn't be excited? But here are 6 things to remember about chocolate when it comes to your pets so that they can live through it (no kidding - lots of pets suffer - some even die on Halloween).

There is a lot of information on various websites on this subject and we've tried to gather as much information for this report as possible. The UC Davis site provided some of the great information you'll find below as well as about.com on veterinary medicine.

*Why Eating Chocolate Won't Kill You, but Can Kill Your Dog:

Chocolate is fatal to your pet. It's not the chocolate itself but the chemicals. Chocolate contains a naturally occurring chemical compound called theobromine (found in the cocoa bean).

Theobromine is BOTH a diuretic and a stimulant - meaning it increases urination and affects the central nervous system. It also is a cardiovascular stimulant; it will sometimes increase blood pressure and cause nausea and vomiting.

It's not the chocolate itself, but the theobromine that is dangerous and may even be fatal for your dog!

*Do you recognize the warning signs of a dog that has eaten chocolate?

Your dog has consumed an overdose of chocolate he or she may become excited and even hyperactive. Because theobromine is a diuretic your dog will usually be thirsty and may pass large volmunes of urine. Vomiting and diarrhea are also common signs.

What you don't see... Theobromine may increase the heart rate or cause irregular heart beat. This alone can cause death, especially if you add exercise! You may NOT SEE any signs of ill health for several hours but your dog could be dead in the next 24 hours.

You may or may not see any immediate reaction or symptoms - but you must take action if you think your dog has consumed large amounts of chocolate. Dogs usually show symptoms within 4 to 24 hours of eating chocolate.

*Let's take a look at the different types of chocolate & the levels of theobromine in each: Baking chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet or milk chocolate and even hot chocolate!


There are different levels of toxicity in chocolate but for safety sake we recommend NO chocolate at all in any way, shape or form!

Here for your reference is a list of theobromine content in different types of chocolate:

• Baking chocolate, bitter chocolate, and cocoa powder can contain 150 to 600 mg/oz.


• Dark chocolate - 450 mg/oz.


• Semi-sweet chocolate - 260 mg/oz.


• Milk chocolate - 44 to 66 mg/oz.


• Hot chocolate - 12 mg/oz.


• White chocolate - 1 mg/oz.

*How much chocolate is "deadly"?

There are three factors to consider:

1. The size of the dog is a critical factor. A smaller dog will be significantly more affected than a larger dog if the same quantity of chocolate is consumed.


2. You must also consider the health and age of your dog, as this will affect survival rates. For example, a dog with epilepsy is usually more affected by theobromine than a healthy animal because theobromine can trigger seizures in some dogs suffering from epilepsy.


3. Finally the type of chocolate consumed.

*A Quick Theobromine Guide - How much chocolate will kill my dog?

• Baking chocolate: Two one - ounce squares of Baker's chocolate is toxic to a 20lb dog and one square of one ounce is toxic to a 10lb dog.


• Chocolate Cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight or 1/3 of a pound is toxic to a 20lb dog and 1/6 pound for a 10lb dog.


• Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. The average chocolate bar contains 2-3 ounces of milk chocolate so it would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10lb dog.


• White chocolate: The least toxic of all chocolates. 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to poison a 20lb dog and 125 pounds of white chocolate to poison a 10lb dog.

*What you MUST do immediately to help your pet:

1. Call your vet immediately! The level of toxicity depends on what kind of chocolate your pet consumes, how much he consumes and the wright (size) of your pet. Be ready with this information if you know it.


2. There is no specific antidote for theobromine or chocolate poisoning. Your vet may use some or all of the following treatments depending on the condition and circumstances:

• IV Fluids - prevents dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea and will also help flush theobromine from the system.


• Medication to induce vomiting - theobromine normally stays in the bloodstream between 14-20 hours. Usually it will help to induce vomiting up to 4 hours of ingestion of chocolate.


• Use of Activated Charcoal - unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to activated charcoal and be eliminated in the feces - should be done ASAP after ingestion of the chocolate.


• Cardiac medications.


• Anti-seizure medication when appropriate.

*Can your kids pass the "dog and chocolate test"?

Whose the most likely to give your dog a chocolate treat? Your kids of course! Please inform your children! Most kids (and many adults) have no idea how fatally toxic chocolate can be to their pets.

Here are some suggestions:

• Make sure everyone understands that chocolate is a KILLER and even a little bit can cause serious harm to your dog.


• Have kids repeat back to you what you just told them about chocolate and your dog until you are sure they really get it!


• Mention it at school - if you are a teacher remind kids about how chocolate, even though it tastes good, can kill a dog. (Also pass on this website to people you know!)


• Be sure that any chocolate received for Halloween is put away or high enough up so your dog cannot reach it. Dogs do love chocolate - just like humans - so take the proper precautions and don't put your dog in harms way by leaving your Halloween goodies out (or even on a low table).


• Many people take their pooch along when trick or treating. If you do, make sure no one offers a chocolate treat to your furry friends - and tell others just how toxic chocolate is to dogs. It is amazing how many people just don't know about this!

From all of us @ The Dog Bowl we wish you and your family a safe and happy Halloween! Thank you for reading! Thank you in advance for sharing this important information with your family and friends (and dogs)! Click here to read more about what is toxic for dogs!

Labels: Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat, Pet First Aid