My dog accidentally ate a piece of chocolate; I didn’t know what to do and gave it lots of water. Online said water doesn’t detox, soapy water does, but I didn’t make it in time. What can I do now?

After a dog eats chocolate, don’t panic – some chocolates on the market are made with cocoa-butter substitutes and will not poison the dog. First check the wrapper for theobromine and caffeine, the only two ingredients that damage the nervous system and threaten the dog’s life.

If those are present, induce vomiting promptly with diluted soapy water or hydrogen peroxide – this is to induce vomiting, not to detoxify, and some toxin may already be absorbed. After vomiting, go to the pet hospital quickly for gastric lavage and follow-up fluid therapy to metabolize the toxin, and give a nerve stabilizer. Only after 48 hours with no trouble has the dog passed the danger period, though theobromine takes even longer to fully clear.