As we here at SocialDogg celebrate World Chocolate Day, we wanted to remind you that although we can go crazy on the chocolate (cue King Montezuma vibes), our fellow canine friends can NOT.

Why Dogs and Chocolate Don’t Mix

Although chocolate can be seen as man’s favorite sweet (speaking for us here at SocialDogg, of course), it is the furthest thing from a dog’s best friend. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which humans can digest but canines can’t. As a result, your dog can risk becoming sick after consuming it, otherwise known as Chocolate Poisoning. This can especially be the case for any pets that may already have health issues. We recommend keeping chocolate as far away from your dog as possible. Here is some more information about the types of chocolate your dog should avoid.

If they have consumed any amount, it usually takes about 6 to 12 hours for signs to show. These symptoms can follow in the forms of vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and in the worst case, death. These horrify us just as much as they probably horrify you, so we want to recommend a few actions you can take to ensure the safety of your dog.

No, Doggie, No!

In order to make sure your dog stays healthy and safe during International Chocolate Day, you can try the following:

• Store all chocolate in a secure place, such as a high cabinet. Make sure your dog can’t reach it.
• Train your dogs not to go near them. A command may suffice to prevent any smart ideas.
• Monitor what’s been left on the floor, such as any small crumbs.
• Teach your children not to give the dogs any. Since we may give our children chocolate as a reward for good behavior, it’s important that they don’t associate the same treatment with your pets as well.

What to do if They Accidentally Consume Some

Chocolate affects all dogs differently. However, that doesn’t mean you should be anymore lax about monitoring them. Small or big, any amount of chocolate is enough to cause a dog pain, and that’s the last thing any of us want.

If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, make sure to first phone your vet or a pet poison helpline to discuss what signs you see. If you haven’t seen your dog in a while, immediately check on them to ensure that they are healthy. The signs may not be evident at first, so keeping a watch on them can ensure their safety and calm your stress.

Distraction

A good way to ensure your dog doesn’t go anywhere near chocolate is to provide them some fun toys that they’d rather sink their teeth into instead. We’ve already covered what types of toys a dog can play with here so go peruse that article to make sure that your dog is well distracted while you treat yourself to some chocolatey goodness! 

Conclusion

While a lot of us humans (especially us at SocialDogg) love our cocoa, it’s important to remember that our fellow canine friends can’t enjoy the same pleasure. They run the risk of falling sick and that’s something none of us want to happen. Keep chocolate as far out of their reach as you possibly can to ensure their health and safety. In the event of unfavorable circumstances, call your vet to explain what’s going on and keep a eye on your dog to watch for symptoms.