Theobromine: It’s in Chocolate and It’s Bad for Your Pet
- Dr. Ben Clemmett
- February 28, 2021
The Dangers of Your Dog Eating Sweets & Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats because it contains methylxanthines: theobromine and caffeine. The more chocolate liquor there is in a product, the more theobromine there is.
The following is a list of the treats containing the most to least amounts of theobromine:
Baking chocolate is the worst for pets, followed by:
Semi-sweet and dark chocolate
Milk chocolate
Chocolate-flavored cakes or cookies
Theobromine can cause the following reactions in pets:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hyperactivity
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
- Death, in severe cases
Use this helpful tool to determine what level of danger your pet may be in after consuming different types and amounts of chocolate and the associated danger. For example, if your pet has consumed a very small amount of chocolate, it may be that the fat and sugar in the chocolate creates an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach, but poses no real danger. Keep in mind that the smaller your pet is, the less chocolate it takes to create a toxicity issue.
Finally, pet parents should be aware that some chocolate-containing products may contain other toxins, such as macadamia nuts, raisins, coffee/espresso beans or xylitol (an artificial sweetener).
Regardless, if your pet consumes chocolate and you have any concerns, please contact ReadiVet or an emergency clinic as soon as possible.
What about other sweets?
In addition to the dangers associated with the toxicity of chocolate, the sudden consumption of a large quantity of sweets of any kind (a cupcake, bag of candy) may create problems for your pet. Pancreatitis is caused by the sudden intake of a large amount of calories, especially the fat contained in many “human treats.” Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are just the beginning of this issue and can potentially lead to a more severe and potentially lethal disease.
Please contact ReadiVet at any time if you have questions, or seek help from the ASPCA Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline (Be aware that each of these may charge $59-65 to consult with them via phone; however, the websites contain good information).
Oral Health & Dental Cleanings
Pets typically require a dental cleaning when they start showing signs of dental disease. Some common signs of dental disease in pets include bad breath, yellow or brown teeth, red or bleeding gums, difficulty eating, drooling, and loose teeth.
Fleas, Ticks and Worms.. Oh My!
Dr. Ben Clemmett describes the dangers associated with fleas and ticks for your pets. He explains how setup a prevention plan for your pet.
Texas Summers and Your Pet
Dealing with the summer heat in Texas is difficult for everyone, and this includes your dogs and cats. Our vets explain how to make your pet more comfortable during hot temperatures.
Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Allergies
As temperatures begin to warm, seasonal allergies flare up in people and their pets. There are many types of allergens that commonly affect dogs, including many different trees, grasses, pollens, environmental molds, microscopic dust mites, and insects – including the...
Theobromine: It’s in Chocolate and It’s Bad for Your Pet
Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats because it contains methylxanthines: theobromine and caffeine. The more chocolate liquor there is in a product, the more theobromine there is.
Puppy 101
Congratulations - you've welcomed a new puppy into your home! Here are some best practices for training, socializing, and feeding your puppy.
Pet Obesity
Four tips to ensure your pet's good health and avoid pet obesity. Our veterinarians provides options to help avoid pet obesity.
Finding a Healthy Pet
A healthy pet is a happy pet! Our vets provide tips to ensure your pet lives a healthy lifestyle.
How to Calm Your Dog During a Thunderstorm
Dr. Ben Clemmett explains symptoms that are related to storm anxiety and how to alleviate them.
Pet Pain Management
Our veterinarians take a minute to discuss the most common types of pain that we see and how we can help relieve that pain in our patients.