Most of us fondly remember that Oreo advert where the little kid tells their dog: "Mom says chocolate isn't good for dogs". With the holidays fast approaching and us preparing our bellies for endless sugary treats, we thought to revisit the topic. How bad is chocolate for dogs, really? And what happens if dogs consume chocolate? Read on to learn everything you need about chocolate toxicity.

Not all dogs get ill, so why is chocolate considered bad for dogs?
Dogs typically eat anything they can get their paws on, causing many dogs to ingest chocolate. Some naughty little candy vacuums eat chocolate and feel perfectly fine, while others are not as lucky. Dosage matters! The two chemicals in cacao that are to blame for chocolate toxicity are theobromine and caffeine, belonging to a group called methylxanthines. In fact, anything containing caffeine is toxic to dogs—coffee beans, tea bags, energy drinks and soda. What makes methylxanthines so dangerous is how slowly dogs can process them, particularly theobromine. Methylxanthines act as a stimulant and inhibit the activation of adenosine receptors responsible for making us sleepy and decreasing body activity. 

Not all chocolates are created equal.
Different chocolates contain various levels of theobromine and caffeine. The more concentrated the chocolate product, the more dangerous it is for dogs to consume and the amount consumed also plays a part. The worst culprits are unsweetened cocoa powder, baking chocolate, dark chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate. Small dogs are more easily affected than large dogs. However, you should always call your vet if you think your dog swallowed chocolate.

Chocolate can be fatal.
So, what happens if your dog ingests chocolate? Methylxanthines can cause severe cardiovascular, neurological and gastric problems—including abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, hyperactivity, anxiety, diarrhoea and nausea. If they consume a high enough dose of methylxanthines, it can even cause death. What constitutes a high dose, however, depends on your dog. Even if your dog doesn't get sick from small amounts of chocolate, it's still best to avoid it altogether. Some studies suggest that repeated theobromine exposure can lead to cardiomyopathy in dogs.

My dog ate chocolate, now what?
Firstly, always keep a charcoal kit at home, as an effective way to quickly help your dog if they have ingested toxins or poisons. We sell kits at the Animal Think Tank Vet Shop. Secondly, call an emergency veterinary clinic or a pet poison control centre. You must collect all remaining evidence, including any leftover chocolate or the packaging, so you can let your vet know the type, quantity, and filling type in the chocolate—fillings such as raisins and certain nuts are also toxic to dogs.

Time is of the essence.
If not too much time has passed since your dog ingested chocolate, decontamination through induced vomiting and activated charcoal may help. A vet can also administer supportive treatments to stabilise your dog and promote theobromine excretion. Closely monitor your dog for signs of agitation, vomiting, diarrhoea, nervousness, irregular heart rhythm, and high blood pressure. As long as you catch chocolate toxicity early on, almost all patients will survive even fairly large ingestions. Although symptoms may not develop for two hours after ingestion, treatments are most effective if performed as soon as possible. 

What about my cat?
Cats are even more susceptible to theobromine poisoning than dogs, but they rarely try to consume chocolate. Unlike their gluttonous frenemies, cats are picky eaters. They also don't seek sugary treats as they lack taste receptors for glucose.

There's nothing quite like the sugary joy of the holidays, whether it's your chocolate advent calendar or grandma's famous chocolate chip cookies. But please be careful with chocolatey treats around your dogs. Do not leave sweets unattended on tables, ensure your kids don't share their goodies with their pets, and should an oopsie happen, take action immediately. You can also stop by the Animal Think Tank Sangster Road branch for a delicious array of canine-friendly baked goods and yummy little bites to share with your dog. Happy holidays!