FAQs

Oct 13, 2011 | 0 comments

Below is a list of the FAQs which we have received and answered. If you have a question which you feel should be on this list, please submit it to us at faq@chelmsforddogassociation.org.

Q: Why are the FAQs so bare right now?
A: Questions (and answers) will be added as they are presented. The Dogs FAQ will be updated as time allows.

Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger.

The amount and type of chocolate ingested is important, as they are the determining factors for the severity of the toxicity. The three types of chocolate that you must be aware of are:

  1. Milk Chocolate – Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.7 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested; severe toxicity occurs when two ounces per pound of body weight is ingested (or as little as one pound of milk chocolate for a 20-pound dog).
  2. Semi-Sweet Chocolate – Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.3 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested; severe toxicity occurs when one ounce per pound of body weight is ingested (or as little as six ounces of semi-sweet chocolate for a 20-pound dog).
  3. Baking Chocolate – This type of chocolate has the highest concentration of caffeine and theobromine. Therefore, as little as two small one-ounce squares of baking chocolate can be toxic to a 20-pound dog (or 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight).

Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger.

What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?

If you know your dog has ingested chocolate , or has any of the symptoms below, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680 or your veterinarian right away.

Common Household Items

 

Common Household Items Serving Theobromine* Caffeine*
Ice Cream Rich Chocolate 1 cup ( 148g) 178mg 5.9mg
Peanut M&M’s 1 cup (170g) 184mg 17mg
Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding 4 oz (108g) 75.6mg 2.2mg
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar 1.55 oz (43g) 64mg 9mg
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup 2 Tbsp (39g) 64mg 5mg
Hershey’s KISSES (Milk Chocolate) 9 pieces (41g) 61mg 9mg
Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Baking Bar 1 Tbsp (15g) 55mg 7mg
Cookies, brownies,
commercially prepared
1 Square
(2 –3/4” sq x 7/8″) (56g)
43.7mg 1.1mg
KIT KAT Wafer Bar 1 bar (42g) 48.7mg 5.9mg
REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk) 2 cups (45g) 32.4mg 3.2mg
Doughnut, cake-type,
chocolate, sugared or glazed
1 Doughnut
(3′ dia) (43g)
12.6mg 0.6mg
Chocolate Chip Cookies ,
made with margarine
1 Cookie Med
(2 1/4″ dia) (16g)
20.3mg 2.6mg
Milky Way 1 bar (58g) 37.1 mg 3.5mg
Generic Hot Fudge Sundae Topping 1 Sundae (158g) 77.4mg 1.6mg
REESE’S PIECES Candy 1 package (46g) 0mg 0mg

 * The amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety.

Foods Highest in Theobromine

 

Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened,
processed with alkali [Dutch cocoa]
1 cup (86g) 2266 mg 67.1mg
Baking chocolate,
unsweetened, squares
1 cup, grated (132g) 1712 mg 106mg
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened 1 cup (86g) 1769 mg 198mg
Baking chocolate,
unsweetened, liquid
1 oz (28g) 447 mg 13.2mg
Puddings, chocolate flavor,
low calorie, regular, dry mix
1 Package (40g) 238 mg 7.2mg
Desserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix 1 Package, 2 oz (57g) 242 mg 7.4mg
Puddings, chocolate flavor,
low calorie, instant, dry mix
1 Package, 1.4oz box (40g) 189 mg 5.6mg
Syrups, chocolate 2 tbsp (35g) 68.3 mg 2.1mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast,
processed with alkali
1 oz (28g) 685 mg 20.2mg
Candies, chocolate, dark,
70-85% cacao solids
I bar (101g) 810 mg 80.8mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast,
plain
1 Tbsp (5g) 92.6 mg 10.3mg

Symptoms of concern include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased body temperature
  • Increased reflex responses
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Rapid breathing
  • Increased heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)

Cribbed from PetMD.com
“CAFFEINE & THEOBROMINE.” The Hershey Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.
“Nutrition Information.” Nutrition Facts, Calories in Food, Labels, Nutritional Information and Analysis – NutritionData.com. Condé Nast, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.

Category: Dogs
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