Everything that enters your dog’s mouth requires your careful attention as a responsible pet parent. The last thing you want to do is cause your furry friend any harm by accidently giving them something they shouldn’t have.
Commonly enjoyed as a sweet treat by humans, chocolate pudding raises an interesting question: is it safe to give your dog some of your pudding?
Don’t even think about feeding your dog some of that sweet stuff. Do not ever, under any circumstances, feed chocolate pudding to your dog.
Due to the presence of sugar, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), and chocolate (which is extremely unsafe for dogs), even a small amount of chocolate pudding could be fatal for your dog.
Therefore, there may be serious health consequences for a dog that eats chocolate pudding. To avoid having to deal with a sick dog, always make sure that chocolate pudding is out of reach.
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Pudding?
Not in the least. Your dog should not eat chocolate pudding. Consuming it could have negative effects on their health. Keep your dog far away from the chocolate pudding.
Why Can’t My Dog Eat Chocolate Pudding?
Because of the cocoa or chocolate in the pudding, giving it to your dog is not a good idea. Theobromine, caffeine, and other methylxanthines can be found in chocolate.
When consumed by humans, even in large quantities, these two components pose no health risks. A small amount could still have negative effects on your dog.
What Is It in Chocolate Pudding That Makes It Toxic to Dogs?
The cocoa bean is the starting point for making chocolate, which is the main flavor and often the main ingredient in chocolate pudding. Caffeine and theobromine, a chemical molecule related to caffeine that poses a real risk to dogs, are found in high concentrations in these well-known beans.
Unfortunately, dogs have a much slower metabolism than humans do, making them highly susceptible to theobromine’s toxicity. Dogs can experience severe diarrhea and vomiting from even very small amounts of chocolate. Extremely lethal doses can cause a wide variety of adverse effects, including but not limited to: agitation, convulsions, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, epilepsy, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest.
Another possible threat to a dog’s health and safety is the high amount of sugar typically found in chocolate pudding.
In addition to the already-dangerous level of chocolate content with its methylxanthines, a typical instant pudding mix serving can contain around 18g of sugar. As was mentioned above, theobromine presents the greatest threat.
How Much Theobromine is in Chocolate Pudding?
Chocolate pudding comes in a few different varieties. Although, there is about 70mg of theobromine in every 100g of pudding. Because of this, a dog’s theobromine intake will increase proportionally to the amount of chocolate pudding he or she consumes.
What Happens When a Dog Eats Chocolate pudding?
Theobromine is not metabolized or broken down in a dog’s body in the same way it is in human bodies. Discomfort and possible chocolate poisoning are the results.
Depending on how much pudding you eat and what kind of chocolate is in it, you may experience varying degrees of sickness. The dog might be fine if only a little is given. However, if the dog consumes a large quantity, it will experience severe symptoms.
How Long Does It Take For The Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning To Start Showing?
Within 6-12 hours of consuming the chocolate, symptoms may begin to manifest. Depending on the individual, these signs and symptoms may last for up to three days.
Chocolate Toxicity Symptoms
If your dog has gotten into some chocolate pudding, there are a few things to look out for. Also, the severity of the symptoms will change depending on how much food the dog ate and how big the dog is.
When a dog eats too much chocolate pudding, the first symptoms it will show are sickness and diarrhea. Even if only a small amount of chocolate was consumed, your dog may experience vomiting and diarrhea several times before they feel better.
Fast heartbeats are dangerous because they raise the probability of a fatal cardiac arrest. Certain dogs, such as those over the age of ten or those with preexisting health conditions, are at higher risk.
It is generally advised that you take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible to gain control of this symptom and receive proper treatment because it may be difficult to monitor your dog’s heart rate at home.
Caffeine in chocolate pudding is relatively high, so be prepared for your dog to act antsy after eating it.
Caffeine content in pudding is proportional to the amount of chocolate used, whether homemade or store-bought. Even a small amount of caffeine can make some dogs jittery and hyperactive.
Caffeine and theobromine, both diuretics, cause excessive thirst and urination. A diuretic is a medication that causes the kidneys to release sodium and water through the urine.
After taking either of these medications, your dog will be extremely thirsty and will have to go to the bathroom frequently.
Extreme chocolate poisoning can cause convulsions. Only after eating an extremely large quantity of chocolate will convulsions develop. This is a sign that your dog needs to see a vet immediately. The situation is potentially fatal if nothing is done about it.
What to Do if Your Dog Consumes Chocolate Pudding
No need to worry or take any action if it was only a lick. However, you should get in touch with a vet immediately if your dog ingested a significant amount.
The earlier your dog begins treatment, the better his or her chances of recovery.
What is The Treatment for Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs?
Your veterinarian’s first step will be to administer a drug that induces vomiting.
Theobromine can be removed from the body with activated charcoal, reducing the amount of toxins that enter the bloodstream.
Because your dog will need to be given the charcoal every 4 to 6 hours, he or she may need to be hospitalized for a while.
The vet may also use a drip to normalize the flow of bodily fluids and flush out harmful substances.
If the dog’s heart rate is irregular, additional treatment may be necessary. The sight of a dog having a seizure can be terrifying for the owner.
The vet will respond immediately to any poisoning symptoms. You can restore your hair to its original condition with prompt care.
Can I treat My Dog for Chocolate Poisoning at Home?
If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, there are some things you can do at home to help.
Induce vomit
Hydrogen peroxide solution, at about 3%, should be diluted with water at a 1:1 ratio.
One teaspoon of the mixture should be used for every five pounds of the dog’s weight. Any dog over 45 pounds shouldn’t have more than three tablespoons.
Using a syringe, inject the mixture as far back into the dog’s throat as you can, as it must be swallowed whole. Keep the dog’s mouth closed while it swallows.
Give It Some Activated Charcoal
You can prevent theobromine from entering your dog’s system by giving it activated charcoal.
It’s possible that this is all that’s required, especially if only a small amount is taken. Every 4–6 hours for the first 24 hours, give it charcoal to keep the theobromine from being reabsorbed and recycled.
Doses of 1–5g per kilogram of the dog’s body weight should be given. Optimal results from this treatment are seen when it is given within an hour of ingestion.
Give Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay can be used alone or in conjunction with activated charcoal to help the body get rid of toxins. Before the kidneys or liver can process toxins, they will be absorbed or bound by the supplement.
As it prevents toxins from penetrating the gut lining, it can ease your dog’s nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Because it is not broken down in the digestive process, it carries toxins out of the body with it. For best results, use only plastic utensils and add it to moist foods.
How Much Chocolate is lethal to a Dog?
Ingesting anything with a high theobromine content is fatal for a dog. However, the canine’s size also plays a role.
Put another way, a dog can be fatally poisoned by eating just 0.33 ounces of pure chocolate for every pound it weighs. White and milk chocolate, which are much milder than dark chocolate, will have less of an impact on your dog.
Due to their high theobromine content, even small doses of dark, baked, and cacao powder chocolate can be fatal to dogs.
Is Sugar-Free Chocolate Pudding Also Harmful to a Dog’s Digestive System?
It’s true that sugar-free chocolate pudding is just as bad for a dog’s tummy. Ingesting even a small amount of sugar-free chocolate can be dangerous for dogs because most sugar-free products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely dangerous in large doses.
Due to the insulin surge caused by the “fake” sugar, a dog’s blood glucose levels can drop dangerously if the dog consumes any artificial sweeteners.
But maltitol and other artificial sweeteners are gaining popularity in sugar-free desserts.
Maltitol and other non-xylitol sweeteners may not be completely toxic to dogs, but they are still likely to cause some digestive disruptions and should be avoided if at all possible.
Are the Other Ingredients in Chocolate Pudding Bad?
The high fat and sugar content of chocolate pudding is another reason why it could be harmful to dogs. Chocolate pudding, aside from the chocolate, has about 17% sugar and 5% fat.
Theobromine, of course, is the real threat. However, the addition of these two components will place additional strain on the dog’s already overworked body. As a result, the body will have a hard time dealing with everything. It’s as if multiple sides of the system are attacking at once.
Can Chocolate Pudding Toxicity in Dogs Be Treated?
Providing it is diagnosed and treated early on, chocolate pudding toxicity can be reversed. Your dog’s vet will start by giving him or her medicine to make him or her vomit.
Since activated charcoal can bind to and remove theobromine from the body, it may be given to your dog to speed up the process of detoxification.
Given the frequency with which your dog may require charcoal administration (roughly every 5 to 6 hours), a lengthy stay at the animal hospital for observation is likely.
Your vet may also use a drip to help restore your dog’s normal fluid levels and flush out any harmful substances from his system if the situation warrants it.
Extra medication may be required if your dog also has a heart rate abnormality.
It can be terrifying for a dog owner to see their pet having a seizure.
On the other hand, your vet will act quickly to treat the canine patient for any signs of poisoning, allowing your dog to get back to normal as soon as possible.
What is the Prognosis For Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs?
If a dog has only eaten a little bit of chocolate and is showing mild symptoms, the prognosis is good. The prognosis is usually not good for dogs who overdose on poison and show symptoms like collapse and seizures.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Recover from Chocolate Poisoning?
The likelihood of recovery from chocolate poisoning varies depending on the severity of the condition and the promptness with which treatment is initiated.
Whatever the case may be, a pet that has eaten too much chocolate needs to be closely watched as it recovers. A dog may need three days to fully recover. However, if treatment is initiated quickly, within two hours of ingestion at the latest, it can hasten the healing process.
Will My Dog Be Okay If He Ate a Little Bit of Chocolate?
Even if a dog ate a whole chocolate bar, it wouldn’t kill them. But the question is, how small? Even a small amount of chocolate can be fatal to a smaller dog.
Even though a large dog might not be affected by a small piece, a small dog might react very differently. If you get treatment for your dog quickly, though, he or she should be fine.
How Much Chocolate Can a Dog Eat Without Dying?
As was mentioned before, a lot rides on the specific chocolate and the canine’s size. Dogs are safe from the effects of eating moderate amounts of white and milk chocolate.
However, if your dog is particularly small, even trace amounts of baking chocolate or cacao powder can be fatal. If you care about your dog’s health, don’t give it any chocolate.
Can Chocolate Kill Dogs?
In extreme cases, chocolate can even be fatal for dogs. The dog may not make it if it ingests too much and doesn’t get medical attention quickly enough.
How Long Does it Take for Chocolate Poisoning to Kill a Dog?
It takes a dog’s body about 17 hours to excrete half of the theobromine it has consumed.
Keep in mind that your dog is experiencing life-threatening symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, a rapid heart rate, and seizures during this time. The dog will likely die from these symptoms if nothing is done to alleviate them.
How to Keep My Dog Safe From Eating Chocolate
- Do not give your dog any chocolate-containing treats. It’s possible that the dog could be fine with eating a little chocolate every now and then, but if it becomes a regular part of its diet, it won’t be long before the effects become apparent.
- Ensure everyone in the household is aware that the dog should not eat any chocolate or chocolate-flavored treats.
- Avoid giving your dog access to any chocolate by putting it in a high, out-of-reach cabinet.
- Put the dog through obedience training so it will leave areas you don’t want it to enter. The ‘leave it’ option may be useful in this situation.
- Put the dog in a secure cage so it can’t get into mischief while you’re away.
FAQs
After eating chocolate pudding, how long does it take for the signs and symptoms of chocolate poisoning to occur in pups?
It takes about 6 to 12 hours for puppies to show symptoms after eating chocolate pudding. These signs may also persist for up to three days.
Is it safe for dogs to eat black pudding?
Dog owners should be aware that most brands of black pudding contain a high amount of fat and sodium that can be harmful to their pets.
The occasional serving of black pudding as a treat, however, is fine. If you don’t want to negatively affect your dog’s diet, keep an eye on the fat and calorie content.
Dried black pudding sticks, which are high in protein and low in fat, make a fantastic dog treat.