Chocolate can be incredibly harmful to dogs because it contains a chemical called theobromine. This can lead to an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and seizures in the worst cases. Signs your dog may have eaten chocolate will include panting, increased thirst, increased urination, and restlessness, so if your dog’s behaviour changes, start to explore if this is the cause.

Very few animals will die from ingesting chocolate if they get the right treatment, but it’s essential you act fast and get them the help they need. The sooner you can act, the more chance your dog has of making a full and swift recovery.

Work out how much they ate

The first thing you should do is work out how much chocolate your pet ate, what sort it was and how much your pet weighs. You can use <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/chocolate-toxicity">a chart</a> to calculate how serious the situation is because the more a dog has consumed, the more danger they’re in.

Call your veterinary practice

You should always call your veterinary practice for advice, giving them as much information as you can over the phone. Your vet will need to know all the details you’ll have gathered during step one, so they can find out whether your pet needs emergency treatment.

Try to induce vomiting

Dogs may vomit of their own accord, or you may need to administer something which will make them throw up. Try giving them a 50:50 ratio of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water, measuring out one teaspoon for every 5 pounds of your pet’s weight. If they’ve not thrown up within 15 minutes, give them a second dose. If they’ve not vomited after another 15 minutes, it’s time to get them to the vet.

Don’t panic

Although any amount of chocolate can be dangerous for dogs, it’s vital that you keep your head and don’t panic. Your veterinary practice will be able to treat your dog and see that there is no chocolate left in their stomach. If you can act quickly and get them the medical help they need, then your pet should bounce back in no time.

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