We are frequently asked, “Can dogs eat cocoa powder?”. In this article, we will reveal some facts about why you should not feed cocoa powder, whether dogs can eat chocolate cupcakes, and whether my dog can have hot chocolate.
Can dogs eat cocoa powder?
No, Cocoa powder is always a no-no for dogs. It is highly toxic for dogs because it has a high concentration of chocolate in it. Cocoa powder can not be sour for humans as it brings sweetness and happiness to our baked products, but it doesn’t mean it is healthy for our dogs.
Cocoa powder has the potential to cause chocolate poisoning in dogs. The former fact about this chocolate product makes it causes chocolate poisoning.
Why shouldn’t you feed cocoa powder to your dog?
Cocoa powder is dangerous for dogs because of its chocolate content. Chocolate has a hazardous compound called theobromine. It is a type of methylxanthine. This agent causes cardiac stimulation. Caffeine is also an essential component of chocolate. Thrombin and caffeine are both present in cocoa powder, and these things make it dangerous for dogs.
Cocoa powder is dangerous for dogs because dogs have a slow system of processing thrombin. That’s why it remains in the system for longer, leading to toxicity. It affects the central nervous system, brain and heart. According to a report generated by ASPCA, unsweetened and dry cocoa powder has a very high concentration of thrombin and caffeine.
What are the signs of cocoa powder poisoning?
The signs of chocolate poisoning depend on the amount of cocoa powder your dog has eaten. The signs vary from mild to severe. Following are the symptoms of cocoa poisoning in dogs:
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Polydipsia
- Unusual behaviour
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart arrhythmia
- Tachycardia
- Muscle tremors
- Abnormal gait
- Fever
- Convulsions
- Restlessness
- Death
Cardiac symptoms usually occur at the dose rate of 40-50mg of methylxanthine per kg of their body weight. Nervous signs occur when dogs ingest 60mg of methylxanthine per kg of their body weight.
All these symptoms do not appear instantly after eating cocoa powder. It takes approximately 6 to 12 hours until the symptoms appear. If you observe any of these symptoms in your pooch, pay a visit to the bet with your dog. If a dog has eaten a bar of chocolate, it could cause a medical emergency in your pooch.
If your dog has eaten any cocoa powder product, it has tiny amounts of cocoa powder in it, and that might not be as dangerous for your dog as eating a fry cocoa powder is. But you should observe your pet for a few hours if it has eaten one.
Is dark chocolate poisonous to dogs?
According to ASPCA, darker chocolates have higher levels of thrombin and caffeine. Try to keep your dog away whenever you enjoy a chocolate bar because once they see it, it’s hard to keep them away from it.
If you observe any of these signs, you can contact the pet poison helpline to have guidance regarding what to do. There are some easy-to-use programs that you can use to measure the level of chocolate toxicity in your dog.
After a visit from a vet, observe your pet for some time in case the symptoms reappear and of course, keep your pet away from any chocolate ingredients.
Can dogs eat chocolate cupcakes?
We are sorry that chocolate cupcakes are a piece of bad news for your dogs. They have chocolate (theobromine) in them, and it’s never good for your dog. If you want to feed your dog a cupcake, make sure that the cupcake is made up of dog-friendly ingredients. However, high-sugar cupcakes are a problem for dogs.
Also, cupcakes have artificial sugar, known as xylitol sugar, that can cause poisoning and toxicity in dogs.
Can dogs drink hot chocolate?
Never let your drink any amounts of hot chocolate. Any hot cocoa or chocolate mix is dangerous for dogs. But if you want your dog to have some, we have a recipe for you. Following are the ingredients that you need to make a dog-friendly hot chocolate for your dog:
- Coconut milk
- Pure carob powder
- Honey
- Take 12 oz of coconut milk. It can be less or high fat.
- Add two tablespoons of carob powder.
- Add two tablespoons of honey to it and mix.
- Mix all the ingredients and heat the mixture on a low flame. Cook until all the ingredients are mixed.
- Let it cool.
- The dog-friendly drink is ready to be served to your furry friend.
Following are the things that you should never feed your dog:
- Milk chocolate
- Dark chocolate
- Cocoa powder
- Bakery chocolate
- Semisweet chocolate
Conclusion:
This article discussed “Can dogs eat cocoa powder?”. We also revealed why you should not feed cocoa powder, can dogs eat chocolate cupcakes, and my dog has hot chocolate.
Chocolates are never suitable for dogs, so you should always keep an eye on your pooch, so it does not get paws on your chocolate. Happy learning!
