Can My Dog Eat Chocolate Chip Cookies? All You Need To Know

For humans, chocolate chip cookies are a delightful treat, but what about our canine friends? Can my dog eat chocolate chip cookies? Really, are chocolate chip cookies dangerous for dogs?

In this blog, All of these queries will be addressed by us. We’ll go through the causes of chocolate poisoning in dogs, the signs of chocolate poisoning, and more. and what to do if your dog ate chocolate chip cookies. Let’s get started!

Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Chip Cookies?

First of all, we need to understand why chocolate is toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains two substances that are stimulants for the nervous system and the heart: theobromine and caffeine.

These substances can speed up the heart rate and cause agitation, tremors, seizures, and even death in dogs.

The toxicity of chocolate depends on the amount and type of chocolate consumed and the weight of the dog. Different types of chocolate have different amounts of theobromine and caffeine.

Here are a few types of chocolate listed in order of theobromine content^[1]:

• Cocoa powder (most toxic)
• Unsweetened baker’s chocolate
• Semisweet chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• Milk chocolate

As you can see, cocoa powder and baker’s chocolate are the most dangerous for dogs, while milk chocolate is the least.

However, even a small amount of any type of chocolate can be harmful to dogs, especially if they are small or have heart conditions.

To give you an idea of how much chocolate is too much for dogs, here are some examples of toxic doses:

• A 10-pound dog can get sick from eating 20 grams of milk chocolate or 2 grams of baker’s chocolate.

• A 20-pound dog can get sick from eating 40 grams of milk chocolate or 4 grams of baker’s chocolate.

• A 50-pound dog can get sick from eating 100 grams of milk chocolate or 10 grams of baker’s chocolate.

To put this into perspective, a standard Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar weighs 43 grams and contains about 10 grams of cocoa solids. That means that one bar can be enough to make a small dog sick or even kill it.

What Are the Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning?

Now that we know why chocolate is toxic to dogs, let’s look at what are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning. The signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours after your dog has eaten it. They may last up to 72 hours and include the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Restlessness
• Increased urination
• Tremors
• Elevated or abnormal heart rate
• Seizures
• Collapse and death

The severity of the symptoms depends on how much chocolate your dog ate and how sensitive they are to it. Older dogs and dogs with heart conditions are more at risk of sudden death from chocolate poisoning.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Chocolate Chip Cookies?

• If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate chip cookies, you should act quickly and contact your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately.^[2]

• They will need to know the weight of your dog, the type and amount of chocolate in the cookies, and any other ingredients that may be harmful to your dog (such as raisins or macadamia nuts).

• They will then calculate the likelihood of toxic effects and advise you on what to do next.If possible, keep the packaging of the cookies or take a picture of it.

• This will help your vet or poison control determine how much chocolate your dog ate and how serious the situation is.

• You should also monitor your dog for signs of toxicity and be ready to provide treatment if recommended by your vet or poison control.

Depending on the dose and timing of ingestion, PetMD suggest one or more of the following treatments:

1) Inducing vomiting

This can help remove some of the chocolate from your dog’s stomach before it gets absorbed into their bloodstream. However, this should only be done under professional guidance and within two hours of ingestion.

2) Activated charcoal

This can help bind some of the remaining toxins in your dog’s intestines and prevent them from being absorbed into their bloodstream. However, this should only be given under professional guidance and within four hours of ingestion.

3) Intravenous fluids

This can help flush out some of the toxins from your dog’s kidneys and prevent dehydration and kidney failure.

4) Medications

This can help control the symptoms of chocolate poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and heart problems. Your vet may prescribe anti-nausea drugs, anti-seizure drugs, sedatives, or beta-blockers depending on your dog’s condition.

5) Hospitalization

This may be necessary if your dog has severe symptoms or complications from chocolate poisoning. Your dog may need intensive care, oxygen therapy, or even a blood transfusion.

FAQs

Conclusion

Because chocolate is poisonous to dogs, dogs shouldn’t consume chocolate chip cookies. Dogs who consume chocolate poisoning may have severe symptoms or possibly pass away.

If your dog ate chocolate chip cookies, you should contact your vet or poison control right away and follow their instructions.

Chocolate chip cookies shouldn’t be fed to dogs as treats, should be kept in a secure location, and should never be left unattended on tables or counters.

You may give your dog safer, healthier choices instead, such carob snacks, peanut butter biscuits, fruits, and veggies.

We hope this blog has been informative and helpful for you and your dog. Always check the ingredients of any food before giving it to your dog, and if you have any questions or concerns, see your veterinarian.

References:

1. Meng, C. C., Jalil, A. M. M., & Ismail, A. (2009). Phenolic and Theobromine Contents of Commercial Dark, Milk and White Chocolates on the Malaysian Market. Molecules, 14(1), 200–209.- NCBI
2. First-aid for poisonous substances. (2023, May 5). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved June 10, 2023, from- Cornell University