Whether you eat chocolate daily, occasionally as a treat, for birthdays, Easter or Christmas, it is a favourite confectionery.

According to Whitakers Chocolates, individuals in the UK consume 8.2kg of chocolate per year. Whilst great for humans, chocolate can be potentially devastating for our pet family members.

Why is chocolate bad for pets?

Chocolate is made from cocoa which contains two drugs called caffeine and theobromine. Humans are able to process these in the body easily; however, many animals struggle. If theobromine and caffeine accumulate in the animal’s body over time, it can trigger symptoms ranging from an upset stomach to, in the worst cases, death.

The higher the cocoa content in chocolate, the more dangerous it is. It is therefore particularly important to keep dark chocolate and cooking chocolate away from your pets. That said, larger quantities of milk chocolate would have a similar effect, so keep all chocolate away from your furry friends.

What symptoms do I need to look out for?

If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate over Easter (or at any time of the year), contact us for further advice as soon as possible.

Symptoms to look out for are:

• Restlessness
• Excitement
• Hyperactivity
• Nervousness
• Trembling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Increased drinking and increased urination
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

Which animals are harmed by eating chocolate?

Most mammals suffer from chocolate toxicity, which can be fatal. Dogs are often most likely affected as they tend to scavenge for food more than other pets. Whilst chocolate is actually more serious to cats, they can’t taste sweetness, so tend not to be tempted by chocolate.

Chocolate poisoning is rare in wild animals; however, in the United States, chocolate has been used as a way to control the growth of the coyote populations.

Rats and mice can process theobromine in a similar way to humans, but due to their smaller size, even a small amount of chocolate to us could be damaging to them, so it is best to keep chocolate away from them, too.

I want to treat my pet – what can I give them?

Most pets enjoy apple or carrot slices. It is possible to feed other plant-based treats, but some, like chocolate, can cause issues. The skin of a banana, for example, is bad for dogs, but they can eat the flesh of the banana.

To be entirely sure, it is best to give treats that have been prepared specifically for your type of pet and suitable for any dietary or medical requirements that they may have. Pets suffering from certain conditions won’t be able to eat certain treats, for example.

Peacock Vets sells a range of pet treats from our practice (which you can browse online), and we are happy to give advice on which treats or human foods could be safely given for your particular furry friend.

Please call in, give us a call, fill out our contact form, or reach us via social media.