Risks
- Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which are toxic to dogs. These toxic compounds are difficult for dogs to metabolize effectively. They stimulate the nervous system and increase the heart rate of dogs. When consumed in large amounts, it can lead to pancreatitis and poisoning.
- The concentrations of these toxic compounds vary among the type of chocolate ingested. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to dogs, and the higher the dose, the higher the toxicity.
- Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, muscle tremors, panting, heart failure, and seizures.
