Chocolate can cause increased heart rate, tremors, and excitation, depending on the type and the quantity ingested. Chocolate is a mixture of cocoa beans and cocoa butter. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both classified as methylxanthines. Unfortunately, dogs are sensitive to the effects of methylxanthines, which can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, tremors, and potentially death when ingested at a toxic dose. Other effects seen with chocolate overdose are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, and lethargy.
The amount of methylxanthines present in chocolate varies with the type. The general rule is the more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. In fact, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate, while white chocolate (a combination of cocoa butter, sugar, butterfat, milk solids, and flavorings without cocoa beans) contains negligible amounts of methylxanthines.
A bag of candy on the counter top can be easily knocked over into the floor and the contents devoured in minutes, same thing for a tray of brownies. Make sure to keep all tempting chocolatey treats away from your dog.
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