What Happens If a Dog Licks White Chocolate?

A chemical in chocolate called theobromine -- a stimulant that's similar to caffeine -- is what can be toxic to dogs. Chocolate poisoning depends on the size of the dog as well as the type and amount of chocolate the dog consumes. A pooch that just licks white chocolate should not get sick but as a safety measure, watch over your pet for any signs of poisoning, such as vomiting, just in case your dog is especially sensitive to the effects of theobromine.

  1. Theobromine Levels

    • White chocolate contains the least amount of theobromine -- one milligram per ounce. Baker's chocolate contains the most theobromine -- 450 milligrams per ounce. Semi-sweet chocolate has 260 milligrams per ounce, dark chocolate contains 150 milligrams per ounce, and milk chocolate contains 60 milligrams per ounce. A 20-pound dog would have to eat 55 pounds of white chocolate to reach toxic levels but would have to eat only two ounces of baker's chocolate to cause signs of poisoning, notes Dr. Dawn Reuben in her article "Why Dogs Can't Eat Chocolate."

    Significance

    • Although one lick of white chocolate should not harm a dog, especially large pooches, people should never allow dogs to eat any type of chocolate. A dog allowed to eat white chocolate does not know that other types of chocolate can poison it. If the dog comes across other types of chocolate, it will happily gorge itself. Small or toy-sized dogs have a lower tolerance for theobromide than large dogs and are more easily poisoned.

    Poisoning Signs

    • Dogs will exhibit chocolate poisoning symptoms within minutes or hours after swallowing chocolate, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." Signs of poisoning include sudden hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heartbeat, hyperventilation, excessive thirst, more-frequent urination, muscle spasms, trembling and seizures. In severe poisoning cases, the dog can lapse into a coma. A poisoned dog will need immediate medical care or else it could die.

    Treatment

    • Dogs die from chocolate poisoning due to heart failure and/or dehydration. If the dog has not already vomited within six hours since swallowing chocolate, induce vomiting by giving it 3% hydrogen peroxide. Use one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for every 10 pounds that the dog weighs. Administer doses every 15 minutes until the dog vomits, advises "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." Take the dog to a veterinarian, since it will need IV fluid therapy and possibly medication to stop any seizures or spasms it might be having.