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It’s a fact that dogs love what we eat and usually beg for us to share a bit with them! The problem comes when we’re enjoying a candy bar, such as a Kit Kat. What could be the harm in sharing a bite of a Kit Kat bar with your dog? Let’s take a look.
Chocolate is Toxic for Dogs
The issue is that Kit Kat bars contain chocolate, which is toxic for dogs. Chocolate contains methylxanthines (which are caffeine and theobromine) and this substance is a poison in dogs. Not all chocolates contain the same amount of this substance, either. Generally, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the worse the toxicity level is. For instance, milk chocolate is not as bad as chocolate such as baking chocolate, which has the highest concentration of methylxanthines.
Toxicity also depends on how much of the chocolate a dog has eaten and the size of the dog. For instance, if a 30 lb dog has eaten 1 oz of milk chocolate, chances are he will be OK. The dog may develop nausea and vomiting, or even diarrhea, but he will be OK. However, if a 30 lb dog eats 1 oz of dark chocolate, then he may need medical attention.
So, the amount and type of chocolate, along with the dog’s weight, can determine how sick the chocolate can make him. These factors also indicate whether or not the situation is a medical emergency.
Kit Kat Bars
Kit Kat bars are made with milk chocolate, which has the lowest amount of toxic substances for dogs. Thankfully the bars are small, with a regular Kit Kat bar coming in at 1.5 oz. In general, anything more than 0.5 ounces per pound of body weight of milk chocolate can put dogs at risk of chocolate poisoning. Here is how much chocolate in a Kit Kat bar could affect a dog by weight:
- 5 oz. for a 10 lb dog
- 10 oz for a 20 lb dog
- 15 oz for a 30 lb dog
In these instances, you’ll need to call the vet as soon as possible.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs
Dogs may experience any of these symptoms after eating chocolate:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Increased urination and drinking
- Tremors
- Elevated heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Death (due to cardiac failure)
If your fur baby has only eaten a small bit of a Kit Kat bar, chances are he will be just fine if he’s a large dog monitor him for any signs of chocolate poisoning. Your vet will give you the best advice on next steps. If they think that your dog has eaten a toxic amount of chocolate, they may make him get sick and give him treatment for poisoning.
When it comes to chocolate, dogs are as thoroughly in love with it as we are. However, never give your canine companion chocolate, even if you’re tempted. It could make him very sick. If your fur baby just has to have chocolate, then consider carob, which is a safe chocolate alternative for our dogs!
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Aisling O'Keeffe, MVB CertSAM ISFMCertAdvFB
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Aisling qualified as a vet 7 years ago from University College Dublin. She has worked in a mixture of UK small animal hospitals along with Irish practices. She worked for 3 years in a feline-only hospital where she further developed her feline medicine and surgery skills. She currently lives and works in a small animal hospital in Cork, Ireland.
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