My conure ate chocolate. What should I do to help my bird now?

Chocolate is a highly palatable food. Some of us know that all too well. Unfortunately, many birds seem to love chocolate almost as much as people. Chocolate is not bad for birds just because it is high in calories and fat though, it contains a compound called theobromine. Theobromine is toxic to dogs and cats as well, but birds, again due to their smaller size and more rapid metabolism, may be even more susceptible to its toxic effects. Generally, the sweeter the chocolate (more sugar), the less theobromine present (milk chocolate contains about 1-2 mg of theobromine per gram, dark unsweetened chocolate may contain as much as 15-16 mg per gram). Despite this, no chocolate should be given to birds. Signs of chocolate toxicity include: hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, dark colored droppings and death. If you notice any of these signs take Polly to the veterinarian immediately.

That's a fair amount of chocolate, and if any of those chocolates were dark chocolate, that is very concerning. Dark chocolate is the most toxic type, and takes the least amount to cause toxicity. I would take your dog into a vet immediately, as they can give her a shot to induce vomiting. They can also give her activated charcoal. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Hi, It really all depends on how much your ferret weighs and how much chocolate he ate and what type the darkest the chocolate is the more dangerous it is. Also, your ferret could have hidden some of the chocolate away for later, so please inspect in all the possible hiding spots for any chocolate he might saved later. I assume it has been a few hours since then (as the question posted 3 hours ago) so at this point you need to monitor and watch the ferret closely it is too late to induce vomiting. Signs to watch for that indicate he may ingested chocolate are: diarrhea, vomiting, muscle tremors, depression, increased urination and even seizures. I would recommend to take the ferret to the vet if he start showing any of the signs.

Monitor him for more episodes. Determine if it was regurgitation (which can be normal) or true vomiting. When birds vomit, they typically flick their head from side to side while ejecting matter. Regurgitation is accompanied by bobbing the head up and down and bringing up food. It is not as violent or serious an action as vomiting. If it is vomiting, Patito should be examined by a veterinarian. You may need to take him to the nearest veterinary ER. If he is behaving normally (not lethargic or fluffed up) then he may be able to wait until your vet is available. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the vet.

You can expect mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea or decreased appetite). The amount is not enough to cause serious toxicity in a 15lb dog, but you should still monitor for tremors, increased heart rate, hyperactivity or seizures. Minor GI upset can usually be managed at home with a 24 hour fast followed by a bland diet in small, frequent amounts until symptoms resolve. Ideally, Mojito should be examined by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. Either can induce vomiting if the ingestion has happened in the last two hours, then administer activated charcoal to further inhibit absorption.

If you believe your bird has eaten a toxic plant and is now showing signs of illness it is best to seek veterinary care immediately from your regular vet or an ER clinic in your area. They can help treat your bird and hopefully get him feeling a bit better.

If he only ate the one wrapper, I wouldn't worry too much. The foil isn't stiff enough or large enough to block or cause damage as it moves through. If it has been less than an hour since your pet ate it, you can induce vomiting by giving an oral dose of hydrogen peroxide, about 1 cc per pound. One tablespoon is about 5 cc. A turkey baster will work if you don't have a syringe. Longer than an hour and it will have already moved into the intestines. Keep an eye on him for a few days to make sue he's okay and watch his feces for evidence that it has come out.