You might have heard that chocolate is a complete no-no for your furry friend and have therefore avoided it at all costs ever since. Have you ever wondered just how true this is and if even a tiny piece can be harmful? Humans eating it in big quantities isn’t great for our health either but exactly what element of eating chocolate is bad for your pooch? This article will answer your doubts as we delve into the topic of all thing’s chocolate.
Chocolate poisoning can be very harmful to Cockapoos and dogs of all sizes. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which are toxic to animals. Symptoms will vary from mild to severe depending on the amount ingested. It is important to seek advice quickly.
Chocolate poisoning is sadly the most common form of poisoning in dogs. We look into what causes chocolate to be so harmful when we as humans can eat it problem-free. Let’s discover what happens if your Cockapoo eats some.
Table of Contents
Is Chocolate Harmful to Cockapoos?
The answer is very simple – yes. You should never be tempted to feed your dog chocolate in any format. Chocolate contains two substances that are harmful to dogs. These are caffeine and theobromine. Different types of chocolate contain different levels of theobromine. Generally speaking, the darker the chocolate, the more toxins present and therefore more risk involved to your pooch.
So just why is theobromine so dangerous to dogs but not to humans? Theobromine is an alkaloid chemical found in cocoa plants. Both caffeine and theobromine are used in the medical world as diuretics, heart stimulants, to widen blood vessels, and as a muscle relaxant. Humans can process theobromine quickly and usually without a problem. For dogs, this process is much slower, and therefore toxic levels build up inside them. Theobromine poisoning is the most common form of poisoning in dogs.
Below is a list of some of the chocolates containing theobromine – they are ordered from highest to lowest quantities for this article.
- Cocoa Powder
- Unsweetened Baking Chocolate
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- White Chocolate
Bitter or dark contains in the region of 130-450 mg of theobromine per ounce and milk chocolate contains about 44-58 mg/ounce. White chocolate only contains 0.25 mg of theobromine and is, therefore, far lower. However, this does not mean you should rush out to buy your dog white chocolate. All chocolate contains far too much sugar for your dog which can lead to further health issues.
There are other household products which contain theobromine including:
- Cocoa Powder
- Cocoa Drinks
- Cocoa Cereals
- Chocolate Ice Cream
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
If your Cockapoo ingests any form of chocolate it can lead to them being poorly so it’s important to monitor them closely for any ill effects. If your dog has eaten chocolate, you can get advice from your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline on 800.213.6680
The size of your Cockapoo can influence how ill it will become based on the amount of chocolate ingested. The smaller the dog the more lethal even a tiny piece of chocolate can be. Some Cockapoos are classed as small dogs so even a small nibble on a sweet treat can have terrible consequences.
There are many symptoms associated with chocolate poisoning. You should expect these to manifest anywhere between 4 and 12 hours after consumption. The weight of the dog and the amount it has consumed will be very important information to hand over. These symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Agitation/Restlessness
- Drooling
- Unusual Thirst Levels
- Increased Heart Rate
- High Blood Pressure
- Seizures
- Twitching
- Muscle Tension
- Incoordination
- Internal Bleeding
- Cardiac Arrest
As you can see some of these symptoms will be mild, for example, if a large dog ate a tiny amount, they might get an upset tummy for a few days. However, if your Cockapoo eats the same amount, they can become very ill very quickly. Never hesitate in seeking advice even if you are not sure about the quantity they have eaten. In all cases of dogs eating chocolate, it is imperative to get help quickly if you are at all worried.
Treating Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs
It is important to seek help right away because your vet will want to start treatment immediately. It will be beneficial if you have the packet the chocolate was in (if your dog didn’t eat that too!). Vets will use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in a controlled environment with their knowledge and expertise. It is not advisable to try this yourself at home as inexperience can lead to further issues. Sometimes they may follow this up with a solution of activated charcoal which will absorb any remaining toxins left in the gastrointestinal tract.
Your vet may well keep your dog in as vomiting can occur for a few hours after treatment and they will want to monitor their recovery closely. Even once home, your pooch will still need to be monitored closely and a follow-up appointment will be made.
There are other foods as well as chocolate which should not be fed to dogs. These include:
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Citrus
- Coconut
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Macadamia Nuts
- Onions
- Garlic
- Xylitol
In Conclusion
We now know chocolate should never be given to your Cockapoo. The smallest amount can be very harmful, especially in smaller dogs. It is dangerous due to it containing both caffeine and theobromine which dogs can’t metabolize as humans can.
We have learned that some chocolate is more dangerous than others due to the levels of theobromine present. White chocolate typically contains the lowest levels and bitter or dark chocolate the highest. Chocolate should not be given to your dog no matter how big those puppy dog eyes are. Chocolate should be kept out of reach from your dogs at all times.
Related Questions
Can Cockapoos Eat Cheese?
Due to the Poodles predisposition to suffer from food intolerances and allergies, Cockapoos have the potential to inherit this problem. As long as your dog isn’t lactose intolerant small pieces of cheese as an occasional treat shouldn’t be an issue. Introduce it gradually though and see how you go.
Can my Cockapoo Eat Apples?
Providing the core and the seeds are removed then apples are a healthy treat for your Cockapoo. You can read more about this in our sister article can my Cockapoo eat apples.