Shaking and eating chocolate are two concerns that many dog owners have because dogs cannot talk and tell you why they are shaking or how much chocolate they ate. In some cases, your can quickly remedy the situation without intervention, but if you do not know why your dog is shaking and he does not stop, or you do not know how much chocolate he ate, you want to contact your veterinarian right away. Both can be very serious in some cases, and require medical intervention.
What to do in Case of a Chocolate Emergency with Your Dog
If you see your dog getting into the chocolate, immediately take it away and properly dispose of it. You need to minimize how much your do is able to consume. Check your dog for things like breathing trouble and gagging to ensure that he is stable. Try to figure out how much chocolate your dog ingested and contact your veterinarian for further advice. You may need to bring your dog into the office so that he can be monitored and evaluated. Even if your dog is not showing symptoms, it is best to err on the side of caution and call the vet as a precaution.
What Does Shaking and Trembling Indicate in Dogs?
Your dog may be shaking for many reasons, some of which are easily rectified, such as being excited or being cold. However, things like pain, fever and exhaustion can also cause shaking and these need to be evaluated by your veterinarian. Your dog may require treatment for any issues that are causing these symptoms. If the cause of the shaking is not readily apparent, further testing may be necessary to determine the cause.
Foods to Never Feed Your Dog
You already know that chocolate is not good, but there are a few other foods too that your dog should never eat. Make note of these foods and make sure that your dog does not have any access to them. Keep them in high cabinets or in your refrigerator so that your dog cannot get to them. Make sure that all family members are aware of these foods so that they never give them to the dog:
a) Raisins, currants and grapes
b) Anything that contains caffeine
c) The sugar substitute xylitol
d) Garlic, leeks, onions and chives
e) Alcohol
f) Yeast-bread dough
g) Corn cobs
When you have a dog, you know that he will get into things on occasion. No matter how hard you work to keep things put up, your dog finds a way because he is curious. Knowing the signs of chocolate toxicity and how to react could very well save your dog’s life. Since shaking is one of the symptoms, you should be able to quickly identify trembling and get your dog the help he needs. If you do not know the cause of trembling, or any odd symptoms, take your dog to the vet right way for an evaluation.