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Dogs and chocolate
Leading experts are reminding dog owners that chocolate meant for human consumption is toxic to dogs. Seeing Eye Dogs Manager, Dog Development. Dr Nicola Cotton, says that “although dogs find chocolate as delicious as humans, it’s essential not to let them eat it.”
“We all like to indulge in chocolate and dogs are no different, they really enjoy its sweetness. It’s quite common for a dog to sniff out and eat chocolate even if it’s still in its wrapper,” she said.
“However, chocolate contains the ingredient theobromine which can cause a dog’s central nervous system to go into overdrive. It speeds up their heart rate, makes them hypersensitive to sounds and touch, and causes hyperactivity. They may also vomit or develop diarrhoea. Unfortunately, in more serious cases, the dog will require veterinary invention and could possibly die.”
The advice provided by Seeing Eye Dogs is that if you know or believe your dog has eaten chocolate, take action quickly.
“A dog may have eaten chocolate previously and not been affected. But, they could still get sick on this particular occasion, even if they eat only a few squares of chocolate, as toxicity can be enhanced by a range of factors.
“These include whether the dog has recently exercised, how much it has eaten, how much water it has drunk, and the type of chocolate consumed. Milk and dark chocolate both contain higher levels of cocoa and therefore, more theobromine,” Dr Cotton warned.
“Don’t delay in getting veterinary attention. Call your nearest emergency veterinary clinic to talk through your dog’s well-being. Alternatively, take your dog to the clinic directly if they are unusually distressed and seem unwell.
“We recommend that you give your dog the treats you normally give them. But like humans, don’t go overboard. As a special surprise, hide your dog’s treats so they can enjoy sniffing them out,” Dr Cotton advised.
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