Most pet owners know that chocolate is highly toxic to their furry best friends. But considering that white chocolate has low doses of cocoa, can it be pet-friendly? Can dogs eat white chocolate?
Can dogs eat white chocolate?
Unfortunately, it is still a big no. We will give you the three main reasons for keeping white chocolate away for your canine companion:
-It contains Theobromine
The main reason: all types of chocolate contain theobromine. Theobromine is a life-threatening and highly toxic chemical to dogs. While white chocolate indeed has less theobromine than milk or dark chocolate, it is still toxic enough to be harmful.
-It contains caffeine
Caffeine is also present, which is another reason to keep white chocolate out of their sight. Methylxanthine can cause toxicosis when ingested by dogs.
-It has a high concentration of sugar or xylitol
Both are very dangerous for dogs as well. Sugar can cause obesity, diabetes and pancreatitis. Xylitol is on another level entirely – it’s highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which can be fatal.
What are the signs of toxicity?
The most common clinical signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs are:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Panting /Restlessness
- Drooling
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive urination
- Tremors
- Vomits
What to do if my dog eats white chocolate?
If you suspect or see your dog eating white chocolate, you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Especially if you start to see any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Toxic doses of theobromine are reported to be as low as 20 mg/kg. If possible, you should report how much they have eaten to your vet, so they can advise you on the best course of action. Sugar and caffeine are also a concern – they can lead to pancreatitis, which also needs to be treated immediately.
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