With Easter approaching, the much loved treat of chocolate could be filling your home, and while there may be some health benefits for humans, chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. It’s more commonly encountered in dogs, rather than cats, who are less prone to eating chocolate as they don’t have a sweet tooth. Chocolate is toxic to pets because it contains a substance called Theobromine, which cats and dogs struggle to metabolise.

The severity of symptoms is based on the amount of chocolate your pet ate, the type of chocolate and the weight of your pet. They vary from mild gastrointestinal upsets (vomiting and diarrhoea), to muscle tremors and excitability, changes to heart rate, overheating, seizures, and in severe cases, coma and death.

You can avoid this potentially life threatening problem by placing chocolates well out of your pet’s way and letting your children know that chocolate isn’t good for dogs and cats. If your pet has eaten chocolate, please contact Sage Vets on 6166 6329 immediately for further advice.