Dog eating chocolate.

[PoPpErS1]

Hello. My dog was sleeping, I went out of the room for 2 minutes, came back in and found a very naughty dog finishing a box of chocolates. I know he LOVES chocolates, but he's only sneaked a couple before I've found him. Now he's eaten 3/4 of the sea shells. He's a pug/jack Russell, on a diet(!). He did it maybe 1/2 an hour ago. No signs of poisoning yet. Is that a good sign? Should I stay awake tonight just in case?

Toxicity depends on the coco content (dark worse than milk chocolate), the amount eaten and the weight of the dog. If you know that information you could call the out of hours vet who could tell you whether it was a toxic amount or not.

Ok, i might do that. Thank you.

The seashells aren't particularly dark. Look out for vomit! My dog has done this a couple of times. That amount should be ok.
Wait a minute, 3 or 4 or 3/4 of a box? How much in weight?

petsci.co.uk/chocolate-toxicity-calculator-dogs/

Underestimate weight and overestimate how much chocolate eaten if you're not sure

3/4 of a box. He is VERY motivated by food, plus greedy. I feel so guilty though.

Contact vet for advice. The effects can be sudden and catastrophic.

Be ready for the vomit. Definitely ring the OOH vet. Is there a poisoning service for animals? There's a human one you can ring!

My brothers dogs ate a massive delivery of Hotel Chocolat chocolate (Christmas gifts, about £150 worth), which the courier flung over the fence. They were seriously ill. The first he knew was the burping, then the farting, then copious quantities of vomit. The vets said it was the worst case of chocolate poisoning they'd seen. Both survived, and were none the worse after their expensive treatment.

How heavy is the box? 3/4 box is not helpful information.

How heavy is the dog?
Milk or dark or a mixture

Unless he's a very large cross I'd be seeking veterinary attention

I would just a keep a very close eye on him, and let him sleep in your room tonight so that you can keep a close watch.

Obviously, it he vomits or becomes unwell in another way, seek a vet.

I really would contact a vet tonight.

The toxicity of chocolate in dogs is very predictable. If you get in touch with your vet they can let you know whether anything needs to be done now or if you're safe to just monitor him overnight.

Hope the vet could help.

In situations like this you can also ring the Animal PoisonLine which is run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.

The VPIS recommends treatment if a dog has eaten more than 14g of milk chocolate (or 3.5g of dark chocolate) per kg of body weight.

Thanks to everyone that replied. I did the toxicity calculator thing and it said I should go to the vets. So I did. Very lovely vet, she made him sick (and boy, was he sick!) and then he ate some charcoal. He is now home, feeling VERY sorry for himself. I'm keeping him in my room tonight, so I can be aware.

He ate about 175g of chocolate. And I suspect he won't learn his lesson, but I definitely learnt mine.

Oh dear! Mine was hugely sick too, all over my cream carpet. All over.

First of all he went absolutely hyper from the sugar and caffeine, then threw up dramatically absolutely everywhere.

Be extra vigilant at Christmas- that's when we were caught out. Be aware, my monkey did it a second time, having got the sealed box of chocolates out from under the clothes inside a suitcase up on a table where we thought it would be safe. Chocolate turns him into a wonderhound.

definitely a good job you took him to vets that is a gigantic amount of chocolate for a jack Russell X pug to have eaten!

Hope the poor little guy cheers up soon.

Oh bless him. I'm so glad he was seen and that he will be ok. No I don't think they do learn! We have a real issue with keeping things out of the way as wolfiepup is so big. She generally doesn't steal stuff though