By Tonya Amiri, DVM – Steeplechase Veterinary Hospital

In humans, chocolate has been praised for having antioxidant properties and an ability to cheer us up, and cursed by some of us for being  highly addictive.  But while it might harm our waistlines, we can ingest a fairly large amount without anything more serious than a stomach-ache. (I know this from experience!)  The same can't be said for our furry friends. 

Many of you may have already heard that chocolate is pretty bad for our pets.  And during this time of year, their exposure tends to be pretty high.  So how much is too much?

Even small amounts of chocolate can cause signs, but they are usually mild and self-limiting. For a 10 pound dog, mild signs can occur with 1.4 oz. of milk chocolate, 0.6 oz of semi-sweet or dark chocolate, 0.2 oz. of Baker's chocolate, and only 1/10th of an ounce of powdered cocoa.   The mild signs tend to be mostly vomiting, diarrhea, and maybe some hyperactivity.

But larger quantities, particularly of darker chocolates, can cause more severe signs, including heart arrhythmias, seizures, even death. 

If you’re not sure how much your dog ate, it's better to be safe than sorry, as the signs of toxicity can be severe.  Make sure to call your vet or the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.