If your dog ate Terry’s chocolate orange, you’re likely worried about your him. You know for a fact that chocolate is bad for dogs, so now you’re wondering if he will be OK. Here’s some info about a dog who ate part of Terry’s Chocolate orange.
“Help, my dog ate Terry’s Chocolate Orange, should I worry about him?” This is a call I received when working for an animal hospital that also handled emergencies.
Of course, I had no clue what a Terry Chocolate Orange was, being that I was sitting by a desk in the USA.
It all started to make sense though when the lady on the line with a lovely English accent explained that she had traveled to England and returned with a Dark Chocolate Orange made by Terry’s Chocolate Works factory in York, England.
This is basically a British chocolate treat that consists of a ball of orange-flavored chocolate, segmented like an actual orange. It is typically wrapped in orange-skin patterned foil and requires a gentle “tap” to separate the segments. This is quite a popular gift, especially during the holidays.
As hard as I was trying to remain focused, I must admit that my mouth was starting to slightly water. Her heavenly descriptions coupled with her lovely accent, made me crave a box of chocolates.
Yet, I had to get to the point so I asked her the most vital information for these cases.
“Was it milk chocolate or dark chocolate? How much does your dog weigh? And how much did he eat and how long ago?”
Did Your Dog Eat Terry’s Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Orange?
The prognosis for a dog that ingests a Terry’s Chocolate Orange varies significantly. It’s mostly based on the type of chocolate. Milk or dark chocolate, can be “friend” or foe, depending on their levels of theobromine and caffeine. Both these compounds are toxic to dogs.
If it was a milk chocolate orange, the risks are much lower considering how milk chocolate contains lower theobromine levels. A dog would therefore need to consume a larger quantity of this chocolate to reach toxic levels.
If it was a Terry’s dark chocolate orange, then this is where things get more risky. Dark chocolate has a much higher theobromine concentration, making even small amounts dangerous, especially for smaller dogs.
Dark chocolate ingestion therefore leads to more severe symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures) at a lower dose than milk chocolate.
What’s the Weight of the Dog?
A small dog eating chocolate is at much greater risk than a large dog eating the same amount of chocolate.
This is because the toxicity of chocolate is dose-dependent, meaning that the amount of theobromine and caffeine ingested relative to body weight determines the severity of poisoning.
A small dog has less body mass to dilute the toxic compounds, so a smaller amount of chocolate can reach dangerous levels in their system. Furthermore, toxins can be absorbed and distributed more quickly, leading to a faster onset of symptoms.
A dose that might cause mild symptoms in a large dog can therefore be life-threatening in a small dog because the toxic threshold is reached much sooner.
For example, a 10-pound dog ingesting one ounce of dark chocolate is at a much higher risk than a 70-pound dog eating the same amount, as the smaller dog’s toxic exposure is proportionally greater.
How Much Orange Chocolate Did the Dog Eat?
Knowing exactly how much of Terry’s Chocolate Orange was eaten is essential for determining whether the situation is an emergency, if immediate treatment is required, or if simple observation is enough.
How Long Ago Did the Dog Eat the Chocolate?
Knowing how long ago the dog ate the chocolate orange is extremely important because it determines whether inducing vomiting is a treatment option or not.
There’s a golden window of opportunity for inducing vomiting in dogs. Vomiting is most effective within the first two hours following ingestion. After the two hours, the chocolate is more likely to be digested and absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream.
If too much time has passed, inducing vomiting can be dangerous, especially if the dog ate a lot and for his size and is already showing neurological symptoms (such as tremors or seizures).
This increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia (vomit entering the dog’s lungs instead of being expelled properly).
So How Much Chocolate Is Too Much?
The average Terry’s Chocolate Orange is fortunately quite small, it weighs about 157 grams which is 5.53 ounces.
If a dog ingests 5.53 ounces of milk chocolate (the whole orange), its level of toxicity will vary based on the dog’s weight.
A 10 pound dog may experience mild signs (vomiting, diarrhea), but is unlikely to reach a dangerous dose. A 30 pound dog would likely have little to no symptoms. A 50 pound dog is at minimal risk.
If, on the other hand, the dog ingests 5.53 ounces of dark chocolate (the whole orange), the impact is much more serious.
A 10 pound dog is at risk of severe toxicity, which can even turn to be potentially fatal if left untreated. Emergency treatment is needed. A 30 pound dog is still at risk. A 50 pound dog may instead develop gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, increased thirst), according to veterinarian Dr. Nicole.
Should you notice lethargy, weakness, pale gums, confusion, or fainting/collapse, please have your dog see the vet at once.
If your dog ate chocolate, it is always best to err on the side of caution and contact your vet. If your dog ate a toxic dose, the vet may advise inducing vomiting if the ingestion was recent. Vets have access to meds that work well in inducing vomiting.
Did you know? The problem behind why dogs get so easily intoxicated by chocolate is the fact that dogs metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans.
Wondering whether your dog ingested a toxic dose of milk or dark chocolate? Here is a convenient chocolate toxicity calculator for dogs.
So What About the Dog?
In our case, the dog fortunately ate the milk chocolate version of Terry’s Orange and he didn’t get to eat the whole thing. While he didn’t ingest a toxic dose for a 7-pound Pomeranian, luckily he managed to vomit while the owner was on the phone with me.
This reduced absorption, significantly lowering the risk of chocolate toxicity. However, our vet suggested to still monitor him and report to us if the owner noticed any concerning signs.
Had the dog eaten more, he would have needed a trip to the emergency clinic to induce vomiting, administer fluids and provide supportive care.
While advising the owner, I couldn’t help but crave a Terry’s Chocolate Orange myself. Luckily, I soon realized that some stores in the U.S. sell them too! This just goes to show that even in a toxic situation, chocolate somehow always finds a way to stay tempting, just not for our canine companions!
Did you know? There is a safe “chocolate for dogs!” Discover what “chocolate” is safe for dogs.
References:
Sudhakara Reddy, Bhavanam & LSS, Varaprasad & Sivajothi, Sirigireddy. (2013). Chocolate Poisoning In A Dog. International Journal of Veterinary Health Science & Research
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Dog Chocolate Toxicity Chart
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your dog has ingested chocolate, please consult with your veterinarian immediately for the appropriate next steps
Did your dog eat a Terry’s Chocolate Orange? If so, we’d appreciate you sharing your experience in the comments below to help raise awareness about the risks and how you handled it