You probably learned that dogs cannot eat chocolate. But did anyone ever explain why to you? Most of us just accepted this fact and carried it with us into pet parenthood. We're here to tell you exactly why they can't have chocolate. Keep reading below.

What Is In Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Our human bodies can process these items fairly easily. For dogs, the digestion process is much slower. As a rule of thumb, the darker the chocolate the more theobromine it contains, and the higher the risk for toxicity.

What Can Happen To Your Dog

When dogs eat chocolate, it can can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, increased urination, irregular heart rate, other dangerous situations, and in some extreme cases death. Additionally, the fat and sugar in chocolate can lead to gastrointestinal issues.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate

So what should you do if your dog eats chocolate? Contact your veterinarian or the pet poison helpline. They will ask about your dog's size and the amount of chocolate eaten, then suggest treatment from there.

Remember, as pet parents it's our responsibility to keep our pets safe, which means keeping toxic items out of their reach and/or hidden away. If you want to give your pups a delicious Halloween treat, check out our list of dog-friendly spooky season goodies.