Photo courtesy of Oskey, Flickr Creative Commons
I think it was when I was working as a Wildland Firefighter when I first learned the saying that overconfidence can lead to complacency….and trouble.
Being immersed in the pet world, I am VERY aware of the danger Chocolate can pose for dogs. I hear messages all of the time about it. I know that chocolate can kill your dog. Bakers chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst. I have heard the message so many times that I pretty much ignore it because I am sure that I would always keep chocolate out of Chester and Gretel’s way….or so I thought.
About a week ago I sopped by the store and bought my friend two huge bittersweet chocolate truffles. These things were really big and looked delicious! I would say they weighed 4 oz. between the two.
I plopped the gift bag into the backseat. Gretel was in the passenger seat, sitting in her Lookout car seat and tethered to the seat belt. I ran into the bank to make a deposit.
When I came back, there was chocolate all over her blanket and the wrapper from the truffles sitting next to her. My heart sank. It turns out that this little bugger had strained and strained to make it to those truffles in the back seat and, because the car was not on and the seat belt freely extended, she made it. I went into triage mode.
I drove immediately to the drugstore and grabbed a syringe and bottle of hydrogen peroxide (3%) to induce vomiting. I gave Gretel the recommended dose of 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight (so only 1 for her). note: I already knew of this method and had just recently had a refresher in my doggy first aid class.
I waited 15 minutes. I looked up more info on chocolate poisoning in dogs on my smartphone while I was waiting. She didn’t throw up. I gave her a second dose and waited again. Nothing. This girl as an iron gut.
I took her to the nearest emergency vet. They said when it has been over an hour since the chocolate was eaten, they don’t induce vomiting because it has already started to digest. They examined her, gave her some activated charcoal to soak up the toxins in her stomach and sent me home with her. Less than 5 minutes down the road she threw up everything…all over the inside of my new car. Nice.
I was relieved though. Since she threw most of the chocolate up, I knew we were out of major danger. Still, she spent the night restless, pacing and with a elevated heart rate. I spent the night not sleeping. Her symptoms progressively got better though and by the morning she was back to normal.
I am proof that, even if you know better, accidents do happen sometimes. My experience is a warning to be extra cautious even if you are sure you know what you are doing.
I am taking the suggestion given in my doggy first aid class and adding a little bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a syringe to my home and car doggy first aid kits. I am also going to buy some activated charcoal to put in there. I will always take her to the vet when something like this happens but immediate response can mean the difference between life and death.
Bruce Sherman says
I had the same think happen but didn’t understand the need to make him throw up. He did it again a year later, and I used the Hydrogen Peroxide mixed with milk. It worked, but I couldn’t get him to drink it the next time I tried it. Yeah, he’s a real tiger for chocolate, but the first time was the worst. Where did you get the charcoal?
Jessica Rhae says
Hi Bruce. After this ordeal I learned that once your dog eats chocolate they will crave it and be more likely to get into it again. This time the charcoal was given to Gretel by the emergency vet. I am going to get some myself to have on hand for the future. It’s a good stop-gap measure for any poison until you can get your dog to the vet. I included a link to what seemed like a good option towards the end of the post I believe. You can also search for it online and find it.
Melissa says
Glad Gretel was ok!! Once when I was doggy-sitting a huge chocolate lab for my friend, I left the house and came back to a chocolatey mess. I’d totally forgotten about the huge bag of Christmas candy hidden in the corner behind the Christmas tree….but Karl, living up to his breed name I guess, sniffed it out. My husband had the car, and I couldn’t get in touch with him or any friends (most were away for the holidays), so I had to bike to the drug store (a few miles) to get hydrogen peroxide. We had some but it was expired – remember to replace it from time to time!! Then I got to force-feed this 80 lb dog by myself. It was really hard to get it down his throat. He had an iron stomach too and was not throwing up. I got in touch with a vet tech friend who said to run him up and down the block a few times. It wasn’t working. Finally, I put him in the bathroom and was frantically calling vets….and no one was answering….holidays….late hour…not even the emergency vet. Finally, I heard throwing-up sounds, and there was an absolutely enormous, gelatinous, chocolately puddle of vomit! I was never so happy to clean up dog puke, and Karl was fine other than a bit of paranoia for the next day or so. Phew!
Karen and Gerard says
Oh wow, how scary! I’m so glad your dog is okay! I would not have known how to induce vomiting so thanks for the tip. Dogs can be so sneaky, especially when food is involved.
Jessica Rhae says
Doxies are ESPECIALLY sneaky. Chester will open zippers on bags!
Sue at Talking Dogs says
Very scarey and a good reminder to all of us! So glad Gretel is okay!
Ann Paws says
Oh no! I hate to say this but every now and then, my dog eats chocolate… She once got a hold of half eaten box of thin mint girl scout cookies. Thankfully, she has a stomach made of iron it would seem. Doesn’t sound too fun cleaning up charcoal vomit out of the car. 🙁
Jessica Rhae says
Luckily I saw the vomit potential and had covered her car seat with a blanket. I was able to pull over and roll up the blanket to contain it. As hard as we try, sometimes accidents happen. Dogs are very sneaky.
Jay from The Depp Effect says
YIKES!! Very scary – you really did almost lose her! I’m so glad it all turned out OK, despite the mess in the car ( which I know you don’t care about as much as Greta!)
You know, I’m the same as you. I know about chocolate, and I don’t fret too much because, well, I know about chocolate and though I do keep dark chocolate (70% and above) in the house, I was pretty damned sure I would never leave any within reach. But the other day I discovered I had done so. Luckily for me, neither dog had found it.
Jessica Rhae says
You left chocolate out and your dog’s didn’t find it?? That’s magic. That would never happen with a Doxie :)]=
Jessica Rhae says
You left chocolate out and your dog’s didn’t find it?? That’s magic. That would never happen with a Doxie 🙂
Seattle DogSpot says
I’m so glad she’s ok. Thanks for posting this. I’m going to get my hydrogen peroxide and charcoal asap.
Jessica Rhae says
Since my experience I have learned that hydrogen peroxide is not always effective. I figure that it is worth it to try though.
Kaia Schroeder says
In the link to WebMD pets you have highlighted above as chocolate poisoning in dogs they recommend Ipecac syrup instead of hydrogen peroxide because the peroxide can cause esophageal erosion. But then you google ipecac and the poison control center (for humans) no longer recommend using ipecac. We just do the best we can.
Jessica Rhae says
Yes, the information is still somewhat conflicting. I have heard with the ipecac that you MUST take your dog to the vet if you give it to them because they won’t be able to stop vomiting. Hydrogen Peroxide can be used as a home remedy in minor cases because once they throw it up the episode is over. However, as you said, there is information out there claiming hydrogen peroxide can cause throat damage. I am still not sure either. The point of this article was to raise awareness about chocolate poisoning. I was frustrated in not being to find a straight answer about what to use to induce vomiting but I think both methods have benefits and risks. I apologize for not having clearer information to cite here about that.
Jay from The Depp Effect says
By the way, here in England the vets no longer recommend hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Apparently they consider that here’s too much risk of the 2(HO) harming your dog, especially if they don’t vomit. What they recommend now is a solution of sodium carbonate, otherwise known as washing soda or soda ash – NA2CO3.
Please note, this is NOT the same as caustic soda, which is completely different and very dangerous. Caustic soda will kill your dog horribly. Washing Soda will make them throw up.
A strong solution of sodium carbonate will make a dog throw up just as quickly as hydrogen peroxide.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks for that info. It seems that hydrogen peroxide isn’t that effective anyway. I may look into this alternative.
Jen says
So glad that she was ok and vomited! I had to give Sherman peroxide once when he ate a mushroom growing in the backyard, I poured half the bottle down his throat and he never vomited. Thankfully he was fine.
I can only imagine the mess that vomiting up the charcoal made in your car, hoping you have dark interior? 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
Luckily it stayed in the blanket I had laid out and off the interior of the new car 🙂
There have been some incidences in Washington of dogs eating poisonous mushrooms. I think one died. Glad Sherman was ok!
emma says
You are human, accidents happen, we can’t always be protected. I know mom does her best too, but sometimes something is forgotten and us pets get into a bad situation. At least you knew what to do and she is ok, sorry about the car but that takes a backseat (pardon the pun) to the pup feeling better.
Jessica Rhae says
Yes…luckily I knew the dangers. I think she would have died had I not taken action given the kind of reaction she had even after she threw everything up!
snoopy@snoopysdogblog says
hi Guys,
So happy she was ok, lucky you acted quickly! I know of a few dogs that have got chocolate, but luckily for me, so far I haven’t managed to find any….
Wags to all,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Flea says
Omigoodness. I’m so glad she’s okay. And her little smirk is just adorable. Back before we knew chocolate was harmful to dogs, my dad fed our yellow lab peanut M&M’s. They were his favorite treat.
Jessica Rhae says
I would think that the peanut, candy coating and the fact it was milk chocolate made it not so bad. Still not good but just not “so bad” 🙂
Coralee says
I’ve had 2 dogs who’ve gotten into chocolate in the past. They both had guts of steel, and were fine, but I know that terrible moment of panic when you realize what has happened!
Jessica Rhae says
Yeah, it’s a much bigger deal when your dog barely weighs 10 lbs. Glad your dogs were ok.
Debbie Reed says
I had a very scary afternoon with one of my boys and an Easter basket. Max had managed to get on top of his kennel, then get to the seat of a ladder back chair, then up to the top of the dinning room table to get to the basket groaning with good stuff. By the wrappers I could guess he ate three Cadberry eggs and several other things. I called the vet and they instucted me how much peroxide to give him and it took care of the problem. I can not tell you how long i sat in the yard crying hoping he be ok. They are so very smart and cleaver. It took me a while to figure how he got on top of the table, I am sure he took much less time to figure it out.
Jessica Rhae says
Ha, ha. He probably did. I am glad you were able to act quickly and everything was ok! Now I can say that I know first hand how scary it could be. It’s hard for me to think about the fact that she could have died! Boo.
KateS says
Complacency can lead to disaster, for sure. Easter Sunday our Lab Willie decided to eat the brass bristles off our BBQ grill brush – mind you, he has lived with that brush in plain sight for several years and never cared about it. In this situation, the emergency vet did not recommend inducing vomiting (BTW, he was already doing that just fine on his own!), but instead gave a shot to stop vomiting and put him on a high fiber diet in hopes it would encapsulate the bristles and sweep them out the other end! We had to have him re-Xrayed in two days, and thankfully, it worked. We are VERY conscientious dog owners and our dogs are VERY well trained, but a moment’s inattention……..and of course, just like Gretel, he is now obsessed, and we have had to fence off the BBQ with an ex-pen.
Jessica Rhae says
That is the hard part…that they can leave something alone for years and one day they up and decide to eat something that could kill them! I guess they are like eternal teenagers always keeping you on high alert. I am super glad that it worked out ok!
Bailey says
The first year we had Bailey he got into the Christmas chocolate. A rush to the vet, a shot and he has never touched it again.
Jessica Rhae says
You’re lucky because most dogs want it more the next time.
Elizabeth says
Yikes, I would be freaking out too! Your training class sounds like it came in handy as you were able to react appropriately for Gretels situation. I am in the process of putting together a first aid kit for the car, and I think I will have to add those items you suggested. Gretels face sums up your post perfectly!
Jessica Rhae says
I had heard the hydrogen peroxide trick before but it wouldn’t have come to mind so quickly if I hadn’t just taken the pet first aid class. You bet I won’t forget now!
2 brown dawgs says
Glad she is OK. The stinker. 🙂 We keep hydrogen peroxide in the first aid kit and at home too.
Jessica Rhae says
The problem is that I don’t. I don’t in the car either. At least I was in the car already and could get to the drugstore quickly. It would have taken a lot longer if I was at home. I think I will keep some on hand both places now. Do you know what it’s effective-for-dog-vomiting shelf life is?
2 brown dawgs says
1 year for sure. But I have used it a few months past 1 year and it worked. I take a pen and mark the month and year right on the bottle. I try to change them out after a year because it can become ineffective and turn to water. It is inexpensive so money is not the issue for me. It is finding the smaller bottles to fit in the first aid kit. I keep it in the kit for wounds but with a puppy, I have had to use it a couple of times to induce vomiting. Freighter is a champion chewer of things that should not be chewed/eaten…lol.
Jessica Rhae says
That is what I am finding difficult too…finding it in small bottles 🙁
Bethany says
Accidents happen, especially with wily dachshunds! I had childhood dogs get into chocolate a couple of times and always threw it up on their own.
Jessica Rhae says
Chester has eaten small bits before and threw it up. I didn’t give it too much thought. I knew this was just way too much for her though!
Roberta says
I advise everyone to keep the app Chocotox on their smartphone. You immediately knew the dark, bittersweet chocolate was the worst; others are less toxic depending on weight (and Gretel is small!). The app works by weight and type/amt of chocolate ingested. Very helpful. Vomited charcoal is the worst; but better than not for Gretel!
Jessica Rhae says
That is good for quick calculation. It’s easy for a 10 lb dog because the figure I found was 1 oz per/10 lbs of dark can be deadly to dogs. Not much math to be had there. However, I did have to do some quick searching on the internet for what to do. If the app lists that stuff too (which I assume it does) then it is definitely good for everyone.
houndstooth says
Many years ago when Lilac was our foster dog, she stole a shopping bag full of Easter candy I’d hidden in the bedroom and moved it behind the couch. After we left, she drug it out and had a party with our other two dogs. When I came home and saw the carnage, I felt sick, but fortunately, they never did get sick besides a mild case of the big D. We did have nice, sparkly poop in the turn out pen for about a week, though!
Jessica Rhae says
Sparkly poop from Lilac is fitting. I am surprise her Sh*t don’t just sparkle all of the time. ha, ha.
Dina says
So glad your dog was fine! And very good tips, I didn’t know about that.
Hailey and Zaphod's Lady says
So scary. So glad she is alright. I don’t even have a dog first aid kit. I should. Good reminders about safety. Thanks!
Michelle says
There little doxies are hyenas! My boyfriend was going on a hike one time and he packed 3 oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a chocolate odwalla bar. He left his bag on the floor and left the apartment to move his car. When he got back, Mr. Lyle got into the bag and ate everything! He woke me up and I was panicking. We got some Hydrogen Peroxide and tried to induce vomiting but he has an iron stomach. We then estimated how much chocolate he ate and found out that he didn’t eat very much to cause chocolate poisoning. But it really is scary. I also work in a Vet Hospital so I see a lot of dogs who come in from eating chocolate. Especially around Halloween time.
But I’m glad little Gretel is ok. 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
In a way I wish I had been able to see it before so I knew what signs were “really bad”. I wonder if there are any videos on YouTube?
Jana Rade says
Can’t ever be careful enough with this stuff, can you? Glad it all worked out well. Must have been quite a scare.
Carol Bryant says
I am glad she is okay. It is so scary when they do things so quickly.
SlimDoggy says
What a story! Thanks for sharing. We have told SlimDoggy Jack that he can’t have chocolate because it is too fattening but he tries to convince us otherwise. We will make him read this post and put an end to his argument 😉
Jessica Rhae says
Gretel tries still tries to convince me that it is ok. I have proof otherwise though!
Roxy the traveling dog says
Hey, I am back in the internet world and I love your new design. Way to go!!
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks. Glad you guys had a good time on your rendezvous.
Kolchak, Felix & Jodi says
I swear!? Are these dogs conspiring against us? We had a similar incident yesterday. No chocolates involved, but food he shouldn’t have, vomitting and a lot of stress. *sigh* These dogs!
I’m so glad Miss Gretel is OK!
Jessica Rhae says
Dogs are just such relentless little sneaks. You always have to be on your toes! I hope everything worked out ok at your house.
Jodi says
You must have been terrified, I’m so glad it turned out okay for you.
Delilah ate a square or two of baker’s chocolate once, but she’s a big dog and didn’t seem to have any ill affects. I did have to vomit her once when she got into my supplements. 🙁
Jessica Rhae says
I think they say that one ounce of bakers chocolate per 10 lbs is real dangerous. Even then, dogs react differently. I have heard of dogs that ate a lot and had no problems. Clearly, Gretel is not one of those dogs.