Many foods loved by pet owners and their dogs can make pets very ill. Grapes, sultanas, avocados, peaches, plums, macadamia nuts and ice cream are just some of the foods that could be dangerous for your canine friend. But at this time of year the food to be most wary of is …. chocolate!  Please keep your dog safe from chocolate poisoning this Easter. However, accidents do happen, so here’s what to do if your dog has eaten some chocolate.

Different dogs react to different things. Some dogs can tolerate human chocolate without apparent illness, but some dogs will react very badly to certain foods. For some, it could kill them. As Easter is just around the corner, it is worth knowing about the dangers of feeding your dog that little bit of left over Easter egg (if there is any!)

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Chocolate contains a stimulant called Theobromine, which is similar to caffeine and is poisonous to dogs.  Vets say that chocolate is one of the most common causes of poisoning in dogs.  It can not only make them very unwell, it can sometimes even be fatal.  Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of Theobromine.  Dark chocolate has the most and white chocolate has very little – but it’s worth being aware of the risks nonetheless.

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If my dog has snaffled my Easter egg – what will the Theobromine do and what symptoms will I see?

Theobromine mainly affects the heart, central nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms will occur from 4-24 hours after your dog has eaten chocolate and will vary depending on the amount of chocolate they’ve eaten.

Symptoms you may see:

• Vomiting (possibly including blood)
• Diarrhoea
• Hyperactivity and restlessness
• Rapid breathing
• Muscle twitching
• Increased heart rate
• Seizures/ fitting

If your dog has eaten any chocolate contact your vet as quickly as possible with as much information as you can about how much they have eaten and the type of chocolate consumed. Preserve wrappers and remains of the chocolate and take them with you to the Surgery.

At the vet

There is no antidote to Theobromine. In most cases of chocolate poisoning, your vet will initially make your dog vomit, wash out their stomach and then feed them activated charcoal to absorb any Theobromine left in the intestine. Do not be tempted to make your dog vomit. Your vet should do this in a controlled manner.

(Please note that not all pets react the same way to poisoning. Some appear to tolerate grapes, raisins, chocolate etc. with no apparent ill- effects. There is no way to predict the effect these foods will have on your dog and so it is always best to avoid them)

If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, even if they do not appear to be having any adverse reaction, always contact your vet for their advice. The sooner they are seen, the better their chance of survival. With poisoning, it is extremely common that the reaction does not occur for many hours or even days  after ingestion and by that time it could be too late!

We really hope you have a wonderful Easter.  Just make sure you keep your prized Easter eggs out of the reach of your opportunistic pet!

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About us:

Written by Emma Hammett for First Aid for Pets

First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Please contact emma@firstaidforpets.net or https://firstaidforpets.net