Dogs love human food and tuck into anything they can get their paws on. Despite this, a dog eating a chocolate bar is a rare occasion. Many foods should not be given to dogs because of the high risk of illness or death. This restriction applies to all chocolate products, including cocoa powder, dark and white chocolate, cocoa mulch used in gardens, and hot chocolate drinks.
If your pup ends up slurping on chocolate milk, you may wonder how you should handle it. So let’s find out what happens if a dog drinks chocolate milk.
Can dogs drink chocolate milk?
Chocolate milk is not healthy for canines because of the caffeine and lactose content. reports of chocolate milk intolerance occur in dogs, with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of coordination.
The caffeine in chocolate stimulates the dog’s nervous system and decreases blood flow to the brain. It can lead to heart problems. All this combines to make your dog feel jittery.
The sugar content could potentially cause diarrhea or even pancreatitis (inflammation). Finally, dairy products are tough for dogs to digest, which could lead to stomach upset or an upset tummy if your pup drinks too much chocolate milk.
What happens if a dog drinks chocolate milk?
If your dog does drink chocolate milk, the short-term effects will appear immediately. The caffeine and sugar content may lead to shakiness or rapid breathing. Let’s say that a small amount was accidentally drunk by your furry friend – just wait for this to wear off on its own.
A larger, prolonged intake of chocolate milk is more harmful. Your dog could suffer from a seizure if too much lactose is consumed, which occurs in some breeds like Newfoundlands and German shepherds. Such breeds have a genetic predisposition to develop sensitivity towards carbohydrates.
Pancreatitis can also occur from undigested sugars being unleashed into the bloodstream quickly, as well as coffee content aggravating the condition. This painful condition may even cause death in extreme cases when the pancreas becomes inflamed and ceases to function.
Your vet will be able to administer medication to ease your pup’s discomfort or even perform surgery in severe cases. If you suspect that your dog has ingested chocolate milk, consult a veterinarian immediately.
You may also want to monitor your pet for signs of heartworms if it is not already being treated for this condition. Chocolate can stimulate an existing infestation, which leads to the worm larvae migrating into the heart and initiating a fatal inflammation.
The safe course of action is not letting your dog drink chocolate milk in the first place! But if they do manage to slurp from daddy’s cup, keep an eye on them for several hours afterward, because not all dogs react equally to chocolate poisoning.
Chocolate milk has long been known to be dangerous for dogs, yet some owners are still unaware of the risks. Spread awareness so no dog will have to suffer from eating something toxic to them.
What to do if my dog drinks chocolate milk?
If your pet manages to drink chocolate milk, keep it under supervision for the rest of the day. Dog owners should be vigilant when their pets are near open containers or unattended cups, because dogs can easily grab them and take a gulp without warning. If you see this happen, immediately yank the container away before they finish it.
Can chocolate kill dogs?
Chocolate contains natural stimulants called methylxanthines which are similar to caffeine. This means that drinking chocolate milk will lead to over-stimulation of the heart, intestinal tract muscles, and central nervous system.The large amount of theobromine makes dogs extremely excited and hyperactive.
The dog’s heart rate increases as a result, which could lead to seizures or even death if it overdoses on cocoa powder or dark chocolate chunks. Methylxanthines can be toxic in high concentrations and could cause death in smaller breeds if they ingest enough cocoa powder or dark chocolate chunks.
A dog that has eaten chocolate will vomit and experience abdominal pain. The dog’s respiration speed will increase, leading to seizures or heart failure if this continues for an extended period.
These strong side effects create a vicious circle: the faster the dog breathes, the more exhausted it gets and begins panting even harder in an attempt to catch its breath. Their distressed breathing causes even more agitation because it increases blood flow through the body and could make them feel feverish and weak.
The panic itself can trigger a seizure and cardiac arrest. At this point, there is nothing you can do except call your veterinarian or animal hospital, wait until help arrives, and comfort your pet until then. Don’t attempt to give them anything to eat or drink.
The effects of chocolate poisoning can happen within just 15 minutes after ingesting it! Some owners have reported that their pets began acting strangely after being near open containers or accidentally grabbing an unattended cup with traces of chocolate milk inside it. Still, you should not let your pet lap from an open container – not only because the liquid might be poisonous but also due to the risk of suffocation from gulping much of it down too quickly.
How much chocolate milk will hurt a dog?
The amount of chocolate milk needed to poison a dog depends on the size and weight of your pet. Small breeds are more susceptible than larger ones, so it only takes 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder or dark chocolate for this type of dog to get sick.
If you suspect that your pooch has eaten some chocolate milk, keep an eye on them for several hours afterward because not all dogs react equally to poisoning from drinking chocolate milk. Some show side effects quickly, while others take up to 12 hours after ingesting it before feeling ill. The severity also varies – some experience mild complaints such as vomiting and diarrhea, while others suffer heart failure and seizures due to overexcitement caused by stimulants in chocolate milk.
This is where monitoring their breathing comes in. If your pet is panting heavily and can’t seem to catch its breath, it could indicate that it is suffering from heart failure or seizures brought on by chocolate poisoning. The effects are just as intense for smaller breeds.
For this reason, it is best to consult with a veterinarian before administering any home remedies when treating your pet after it has ingested harmful quantities of dark chocolate milk. Your vet may also want to test the dog’s heart rate and blood pressure while running additional diagnostics such as an x-ray or a blood panel.