Fwd: On behalf of Ready Pet team

[Raul Gallegos - NAGDU]

Hello everybody. Passing this along as a friendly tip regarding our beloved guide dogs.

Oct 29, 2025 10:46:24 AM Ready Pet <readype...@rapportmail3.com>:

A Reminder About Our Pets and Halloween Candy

Chocolate is not just a delightful treat for us; it can be deadly for our pets. Many pet owners are aware that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but they may not realize the full extent of the dangers it poses to other animals. This email highlights the dangers of chocolate for pets and provides vital tips to keep your furry friends safe.

1. Understanding Theobromine Toxicity

 

 
Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine, which is poisonous to pets. Unlike humans, pets process theobromine much more slowly, increasing the risk of poisoning. Dogs can experience toxic effects from as little as 0.5 ounces of dark chocolate per pound of body weight. Symptoms include:
 

 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Seizures

 
In severe cases, ingestion can be fatal, particularly for smaller pets. For example, a 10-pound dog could suffer serious effects from consuming just 1 ounce of dark chocolate.
 

 
2. Different Types of Chocolate

 

 
Not all chocolates are equally dangerous. The theobromine levels vary significantly among chocolate types:
 

 

• Dark Chocolate: Contains approximately 130-450 mg of theobromine per ounce.
• Baking Chocolate: Contains about 450-500 mg per ounce, making it especially dangerous.
• Milk Chocolate: Contains lower levels, around 44-60 mg per ounce, but it’s still harmful in larger amounts.
• White Chocolate: Contains minimal levels, less than 0.1 mg per ounce, but it’s best to keep it away from pets entirely.

 
Even small amounts of dark chocolate can lead to toxicity, so it’s crucial to store all chocolate securely.
 

 
3. Signs of Chocolate Poisoning

 

 
Early symptoms of chocolate poisoning can include:
 

 

• Restlessness
• Rapid breathing
• Unusual behavior

 
These signs can escalate quickly. For instance, a pet might go from being slightly agitated to experiencing seizures within hours. If you suspect your pet has consumed chocolate, contact a veterinarian without delay.
 

 
4. Immediate Steps to Take if Ingested

 

 
If you believe your pet has eaten chocolate, take swift action:
 

 

1. Contact Your Veterinarian or a pet poison hotline.
2. Provide Details: Share the type and quantity of chocolate ingested.

--
Raul Gallegos / President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
346.439.7444 | RGal...@nagdu.org
https://www.nagdu.org

[Al Sten-Clanton]

Thanks.  This is helpful, but I wish it described what treatments are available, if any.  I'd guess one might be pumping whatever can be pumped out of the dog's stomach, as happened when my previous dog got some pest poison, but is there treatment beyond that?

Best!

Al

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[carc...@access.net]

My boy Krokus ate some things he shouldn’t.  When he ate a piece of foam rubber, the vet made him vomit it up.  Interestingly, he used Meloxican to make him vomit, the same stuff they use to treat a drug overdose in humans.

When Krokus ate some marijuana he found on the street, the vet kept him all day and gave him IV fluids to help flush his system.  They couldn’t make him vomit, because he was very dopey and with that there’s a risk of the dog aspirating vomit—getting it in his lungs.

 

I’m guessing one of these treatments would be the thing for candy poisoning.

We’re giving out mini Mounds candy bars this Halloween, and I doubt there’s enough real cocoa in them to make a dog Igloo’s size sick, though of course we’ll keep them away from him anyway.

Tracy