Holly Was a Chocolate Lab. Chocolate Is Still Off the Menu.
Slobberbones started with a chocolate Lab named Holly. Her people couldn't find treats or grooming products they actually trusted, so they built a place that made them.
Why Chocolate Is a Problem
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. People process both quickly. Dogs don't. The compounds build up in their systems and hit the heart and nervous system hard.
Darker chocolate is the bigger threat:
Baking chocolate and cocoa powder: the most dangerous, even in small amounts
Dark chocolate: serious risk
Milk chocolate: less potent, but a bag of fun-size bars adds up fast
White chocolate: very little theobromine, but the fat and sugar can still upset a stomach
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, heavy panting, a racing heart, and tremors. Symptoms can take hours to show up, so "they seem fine" isn't a green light.
The Rest of the Candy Bowl
Chocolate gets the headlines, but it's not the only problem on Halloween night.
Xylitol. A sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy, mints, and even some peanut butters. It can crash a dog's blood sugar fast and damage the liver. Check labels for "xylitol" or "birch sugar."
Raisins. Chocolate-covered raisins and trail mix are a double hit. Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs.
Wrappers and sticks. Dogs don't unwrap. Foil, plastic, and lollipop sticks can cause blockages.
The Halloween Night Game Plan
Candy goes up high. Not on the coffee table. Not in a bag on the floor. Up.
The kids' haul goes in a closed bin. Dogs will find a backpack full of candy in about four seconds.
Manage door duty. A ringing doorbell and an open door is a great time to bolt. A separate room or crate keeps everybody calmer.
Check ID tags and microchip info. Just in case.
If Your Dog Gets Into It
Don't wait to see what happens. Figure out what they ate, roughly how much, and when, then call:
Your vet or the nearest emergency vet
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Both hotlines may charge a consultation fee. Don't try to make your dog vomit unless a professional tells you to.
Give Them Something They Can Actually Eat
Your dog is going to watch every kid on the block walk away with a pillowcase full of treats. That doesn't seem fair.
Our bakery case is stocked with Halloween treats baked fresh in-store from ingredients you can pronounce. Whole wheat flour. Real fruits and vegetables. Nothing you'd have to Google. They look like a party and they're safe for your dog.
Stop by Slobberbones this week and pick up a Halloween treat bag for the one family member who can't trick-or-treat. Holly approves.
