MMMM-Chocolate! Wait, what’s that glow?
Some Halloween safety tips for dogs and cats
As we enter the season of pumpkin spice, warm fires, spooks in the night, and Halloween treats, let’s not forget the safety of our four-legged friends! While almost all of us love chocolate and have not so fond memories of parents fleecing our Halloween candy stash, it can be lethal to dogs and other pets. And, while cats are less likely to engulf a candy bar, they are curious and don’t mind biting into glow-in-the-dark necklaces, glowsticks, and other costumes / safety enhancements. Read on to learn to avoid any holiday mishaps with your pets.
Chocolate toxicity in dogs:
Chocolate, while delicious, contains two methylxanthines known as theobromine and caffeine. Coffee lovers are familiar with the buzz caffeine creates! But, unlike humans, dogs metabolize these substances much more slowly, which can lead to toxic levels and unpleasant clinical signs, including death. Theobromine has a half-life of 17.5 hours, versus 4.5 hours for caffeine, so it takes longer to metabolize and clear the system.
Clinical signs:
Clinical signs of chocolate toxicity vary depending on the type and amount of chocolate consumed, but typically appear within 6-12 hours. Cocoa powder and cocoa beans are the most potent, followed by Baker’s chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. Even though some might consider white chocolate “safe” to feed their dogs, it is not recommended. Many gourmet dog treats are flavored with Carob, a much safer chocolate substitute.
Common signs or symptoms of chocolate toxicity may include:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Increased thirst and urination
- Agitation, pacing, stumbling, bloated abdomen
- Increased heart rate, hypertension
- Tremors or seizures, coma
- Death (cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory failure)
**Because chocolate has a high fat and sugar content, pancreatitis may develop 24-72 hours after ingestion.
What to do:
If Fido has indeed been naughty, try to determine what type of chocolate was involved and how much. It is helpful to save the candy wrapper or container for reference. Even if a small amount of chocolate was eaten, call your veterinarian immediately for advice. They will want to know your dog’s weight and will calculate the approximate amount of methylxanthines ingested to determine the best treatment and if a visit to the clinic is necessary.
If your veterinarian is not available, the 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline is available at 1-855-764-7661, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. Consultation fees may apply.
Treatment:
The first step is to stabilize and offer supportive care to your pet. If the chocolate was eaten within the previous two hours, the veterinarian may induce vomiting along with gastric lavage if needed. Activated charcoal may be used in more severe cases, along with monitoring vital signs, administering IV fluids, and giving drugs to reduce the heart rate and anxiety. With prompt attention, most dogs recover uneventfully, though the process may take between 24-72 hours.
Take home lesson:
Hide your candy! Keep it in a safe, tamper-proof place. Resist the temptation to share your treats, even if the begging is intense! P.S. Livestock can also get into trouble by eating cocoa bean mulches, so be mindful of them, too!
Finally, what’s with my cat and glow sticks?
We all know the saying “curiosity killed the cat”, so why are we surprised when they are drawn to shiny objects, glowing things, or chasing lasers? During the holidays, glow-in-the-dark necklaces and glow sticks are common, and yes, cats will sometimes bite into them when left unattended!
Fortunately, the oily fluid inside, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), has a wide safety margin and a rather unpleasant taste. Upon piercing the item, the cat will spit it out, salivate profusely, and wonder what happened! They may become agitated, run for cover, hide, retch, or vomit. They might also experience skin and eye irritation if splashed.
The best way to help your feline friend is to offer something tasty, like tuna juice or a favorite food to get the horrible taste out of their mouth. Secondly, dim the lights and look for any glow on the fur. If present, clean with mild soap and water to prevent another exposure when the cat grooms. Eye exposures can be flushed with water (uh-huh and hope you survive!). Cats will recover without complication and hopefully they will steer clear of these glowing novelties in the future.
More information
Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com)
Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals - Toxicology - Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
Glow Jewelry Are Toxic To Pets | Pet Poison Helpline®
Gwaltney-Brant, S; Chocolate Intoxication. Veterinary Medicine, Resource Guide, Toxicology Brief, ADVANSTAR Veterinary Healthcare Communications, 2005; pp 26-28.
Rosendale, M.E.; Glow jewelry (dibutyl phthalate) ingestion in cats. Veterinary Medicine, Resource Guide, Toxicology Brief, ADVANSTAR Veterinary Healthcare Communications, 2005; page 30.
Will Biting Into a Glow Stick Make My Pet Sick? - Vetstreet | Vetstreet