Chocolate Toxicity

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Chocolate is toxic, and sometimes even fatal, for animals!

Why is chocolate toxic?

Chocolate is made from the beans (fruit) of the cacao tree. Theobromine is the toxic compound in chocolate.  Theobromine effects the body in the following ways:

• Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant

• Increase blood pressure (mild)

• Cardiovascular stimulant

• Nausea and vomiting

Are all chocolates equal?

No!

• Unsweetened (baker's) chocolate contains 8-10 times the amount of Theobromine as milk chocolate.

• Semi-sweet chocolate falls roughly in between the two for Theobromine content.

• White chocolate contains Theobromine, but in such small amounts that Theobromine poisoning is unlikely.

• A toxic dose of dark chocolate is 100mg per kilogram of body weight.

Signs of toxicity:  (most commonly seen within 12 hours (or less) of chocolate ingestion)

• Excitement - nervousness - trembling

• Vomiting - diarrhea

• Excessive thirst - sometimes excessive urination (at higher levels of Theobromine toxicity)

• Muscle spasms

• Seizures

• Coma (rare)

• Death (rare) - likely due to heart rhythm abnormalities