Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs & Activated Charcoal

Although humans enjoy chocolate as a great tasting treat, it is toxic to dogs. Unlike humans, your dog's body cannot break down the toxic compound found in chocolate, called Theobromine. Accordingly, chocolate can poison your dog's system and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, seizures, muscle spasms, coma, vomiting, trembling and death. If your dog accidentally ingests chocolate, and poisoning is evident, a substance known as activated charcoal can treat the toxicity.

  1. Activated Charcoal

    • In its natural state, activated charcoal is a black, odorless, tasteless powder that is nontoxic. The charcoal is known as activated because of its small particle size after being produced. The smaller particle size of activated charcoal increases its absorptive capacity and makes it ideal for absorbing poisons in the body.

    Function

    • Activated charcoal is effective in treating chocolate toxicity in dogs because it absorbs Theobromine, the toxic compound in chocolate, and it prevents further absorption of this toxin into the bloodstream. Instead of being quickly digested, activated charcoal stays in the gastrointestinal tract where it binds to the toxin and constantly absorbs it until it is eliminated, along with the toxin, through your dog's bowel movement.

    Effectiveness

    • Activated charcoal is known to reduce the body's absorption of poisonous substances by 60 percent; however, it does not effectively absorb some toxins. It will not absorb minerals that are inorganic, such as arsenic, lead, iron, iodine, boric acid or fluorine. Also, lithium, and all types of alcohol, are some other substances that are not readily absorbed by activated charcoal.

    Forms

    • Activated charcoal is available is several dosage forms: suspension, kit, tablet, powder for suspension, liquid and chewable tablet. For dogs, the powder form is the most commonly used because it is easier to administer.

    Precautions

    • If your dog is comatose, unable to swallow, experiencing seizures or severely depressed, do not administer activated charcoal by mouth. If any of these symptoms are present, your vet will have to treat the toxicity with other methods.