Dangers of Chocolate for Dogs
Why Christmas Treats Can Be Toxic to Your Pets
Chocolate can kill. It is highly toxic due to theobromine, a natural stimulant found in cocoa beans, which affects the heart muscles and nervous system.
Christmas is the most dangerous time for potential poisonings. Children innocently proffer Christmas treats to their animals, or chocolate ornaments are hung too low on the tree in easy, bitable reach of our dogs.
The Dangers of Feeding Chocolate to Dogs
In the Daily Mail’s article, Death by Chocolate by Emily Andrews (12/09/07), British vet, Katy Horton says “Pet owners often forget the hazardous aspects of the festive season. There are always more cases (of poisoning) over Christmas and Easter.”
In her article, Emily states that "Last year British vets made 790 emergency calls about chocolate poisoning to the Veterinary Poisions Information Service. This year, the number has already risen to 844." With Christmas just around the corner, this figure is set to increase even further.
The level of risk to a dog's health depends on the size of the animal, its sensitivity to theobromine, and the type of chocolate. Dark or more expensive (purer) chocolate presents a greater danger to dogs as these contain higher levels of theobromine.
According to the Veterinarian Dr Mike Richards, (Toxins Poisions that effect dogs, 03/06/99), even a small amount of chocolate can cause problems. Based on a dog’s body weight, one ounce of milk chocolate per 1 pound of body weight is enough to produce a toxic dose. However, putting things into perspective, unless you have a very tiny dog, a small piece of standard commercial chocolate (such as Cadbury's or Hershey’s) is unlikely to prove fatal.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisioning
Symptoms to watch for are vomiting, diarrhea and increased urination; along with breathlessness, muscles tremors and hyperactivity. Should you suspect chocolate poisoning in your dog, contact your vet immediately.
In Money News (Tesco Pet Insurance warning about chocolate, 12/12/07), Allan Burns, head of Tesco Pet Insurance warns, “make sure you take special precautions with keeping chocolate away from your pets.” This particularly applies to children as they do not realize the dangers involved. Says Allan, “Every year around Christmas time customers claim for treatments for their dogs, overdosed on chocolate.”
Other Dangerous Foods
Other edible dangers at this time of year include raisins, grapes and macadamia nuts. Grapes and raisins are other toxic foods that are especially lethal to your dog's health. Even a few raisins can cause chronic kidney failure in some dogs. Also, be very wary of what presents are placed around the Christmas tree. Chocolate candy may prove too tempting for your pet, with disastrous consequences.
This Christmas educate members of your family, particularly children, to any potential edible hazards that lie in wait for your dog.
