How Chocolate Affects Your Dog

You may already know that chocolate may be toxic to your dog. However, many people don’t know what makes chocolate dangerous. Both caffeine and theobromine are in chocolate. Each of these compounds could kill your dog or cause serious medical issues. The amount of caffeine and theobromine in each variety of chocolate determines how it will affect your dog. The highest concentration is found in baking chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate is next, followed by milk chocolate. Your dog’s body weight and how much he eats contribute to the overall effect of chocolate. Signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate or seizures. There are enough variables in determining chocolate toxicity so if your dog eats chocolate, seek urgent medical treatment. Never feed your dog chocolate and check that guests don’t either especially at parties. Store chocolate securely and out of reach of your dog. Learn more from your vet clinic Jefferson, IA area.