Don’t treat your pets to chocolate this Easter – it may harm their health
With Easter often being celebrated with copious amounts of chocolate, pet owners are warned against sharing this with their pets.
SUGAR and caffeine will always pose their own health risks for pets and humans alike, so it is not recommended to feed pets any substance that has these ingredients in them. In the case of chocolate, however, it is theobromine that is the real concern.
This natural stimulant is found in cocoa beans and acts as a diuretic and cardiac and central nervous system stimulant, causing a loss of body fluid and an increase in the heart rate.
Humans are not affected in the same way because we have the required enzymes to metabolise theobromine efficiently, whereas pets do not. Theobromine will therefore build up to toxic levels in your pets, which, sadly, can have lethal effects.
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Although there are various factors to consider, which do contribute to the level of poisoning, such as the size of the animal, type of chocolate consumed (dark chocolate being the worst) and the amount ingested, it is still best to play it safe and avoid this toxic foodstuff altogether, since as little as 100mg of theobromine per kg of bodyweight is considered toxic.
Pets can be sneaky, though, and manage to guzzle down some of your chocolate stash without your knowing.
If symptoms of chocolate poisoning are noted, rush the animal to the vet immediately. Symptoms include extreme thirst and energy, diarrhoea and/or vomiting and pacing, panting and shaking, which lead to increased urination, tremors and seizures and a racing heart which may ultimately result in a heart attack.
Have information ready for your vet, including how much chocolate was eaten, what type of chocolate (wrappers will be useful) and how much time has passed since ingestion. A sample of their vomit may also be helpful.
Easters come and go but chocolate is ever present, so consider this advice all year round. When looking for tasty treats for your pets, to reward them for their good behaviour, rather look to pet-appropriate treats or specially formulated pet chocolates, suitable for pet consumption.
(Information from the Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa)
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