Chocolate Toxicity

What happens if my dog or cat eats chocolate?

They can become very unwell, suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle tremors, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Some or all of these signs can occur, and if not treated can be fatal.

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How much chocolate is toxic?

The exact amount depends on the type of chocolate, and the size of the animal.

Dark chocolate contains more theobromine than milk chocolate, but both can be toxic if enough is eaten. 
Some animals seem more sensitive to theobromine than others, only needing to eat a little to become unwell. ​ 

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How do you treat chocolate toxicity?

If you caught your dog or cat in the act of eating chocolate, then seeing our vets immediately is critical! We can use medications to make them vomit and reduce how much chocolate they digest.

Activated charcoal is often given to help prevent them from absorbing the toxin.

If the animal is already unwell, then sometimes other treatments in hospital are needed. ​

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Think your dog or cat has eaten chocolate?

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