The symptoms displayed by dogs that have eaten
chocolate will depend to a large extent on the type of chocolate and the amount
consumed. In general, consuming small quantities may not lead to any symptoms of
toxicity. The toxic substances in chocolate, caffeine, and theobromine stimulate the nervous system and even with mild chocolate intoxication, a dog
can appear agitated and excited. Other common symptoms of chocolate intoxication
include panting, nervousness, and pacing. The dog may tremble or have
exaggerated responses to external stimuli. Dark chocolate or unsweetened
Baker’s chocolate contain higher quantities of caffeine and theobromine
compared to white chocolate or milk chocolate. Ingesting large quantities of toxic substances can lead to severe signs such as seizures, urinary
incontinence, coma, and even death. When it comes to chocolate toxicity, small
dogs are at greater risk compared to large dogs because they can easily be
poisoned with even small amounts of chocolate.
