BY DR NICKY THOMAS, WYNNUM MANLY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Easter is fast approaching, and everyone’s favourite bunny will be visiting soon spreading chocolatey cheer! While it is tempting to spoil our pets with treats, it is very important to avoid sharing your Easter eggs with the family pets. Chocolate toxicity is one of the most common intoxications in dogs and cats.
What makes chocolate dangerous?
Chocolate contains two compounds – theobromine and caffeine – both of which can be toxic. These are both methylxantines, which pets are unable to metabolise as readily as people.
What are the symptoms of chocolate toxicity?
Animals may show a range of different clinical signs, including:
- Restlessness
- Excitement or hyperactivity
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Trembling, muscle tremors
- Increased drinking and urinating
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
- Consumption of large amounts can be fatal
The toxicity of chocolate is related to the type and amount of chocolate consumed and the size of the animal. Theobromine in the range of 100-150mg/kg can be fatal. The concentration of theobromine depends on the chocolate – the darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa concentration and the higher the theobromine concentration. Milk chocolate contains up to 154mg theobromine per 100g, while cooking chocolate has as much as 1365mg/100g. Based on these numbers, as little as 140g of cooking chocolate (less than a regular-sized block) can be fatal for a 25kg dog.
How is chocolate toxicity treated?
If your pet consumes any volume of chocolate, contact your vet or local emergency centre for advice. Treatment consists of inducing vomiting to remove chocolate from the digestive system and may then be followed by the administration of activated charcoal to bind any circulating compounds. Severe cases may require hospitalisation and intravenous fluid therapy.
Preventing intoxication
- There is no amount of chocolate that should be considered “safe” to give your pet.
- Keep your chocolate well out of reach of pets to avoid any risk of poisoning.
- Easter egg hunts should be kept to areas where pets are not allowed, and eggs should be counted before and afterwards to ensure they have all been found.
Take a leaf out of the Easter bunny’s book and treat your dog with a carrot this Easter instead!
