Can I Give My Pet Chocolate?

\\\ Bad Foods For Pets

Can I Give My Dog And Cat Chocolate?

Do Rabbits Like Chocolate?

Foods That Dogs Cats Rabbits Shouldn’t Eat

A stray ‘moggie’ turned up at our doorstep for the second year running when it began to get cold looking for a warm place to shelter and food. Needleless to say we took the moggie in, renamed him shortly afterwards as ‘Freddie’.

A few days later when sitting on a bed, Freddie was seen tucking into one of the most poisonous foods left lying around in the home. Chocolate is not the best pet, dog or cat food diet

After rescuing the wrappings and left overs and establishing that he had eaten the tiniest amount, the remaining chocolate bar and wrapper were thrown away safely, out of Freddie’s way, he was pointed in the direction of his kibble. He wasn’t fussed, he appeared to be quite grateful for any food and a loving warm home.

Chocolate is not the best pet, dog or cat food diet

What is it that makes chocolate so toxic for pets?

Dogs and cats like tucking into any available food particularly when it smells interesting, new and gorgeous, and will help themselves if chocolate is left lying around.

Scavenging dogs such as Labradors and Jack Russell’s are generally the most popular visiting the vets after eating dangerous foods. Even rabbits are now becoming toxicity A&E patients due to the high number being kept indoors.

Research suggests that it is the chemical theobromine contained in the chocolate which is dangerous to pets and other animals. Humans are alleged to be able to tolerate the chemical about 5 times more than pets.

What type of chocolate is the worst?

Cocoa powder and baking chocolate generally contain the most concentrated levels of the chemical. Dark chocolate contains less than cocoa powder and baking chocolate but more of the chemical than white chocolate which contains far less theobromine and may be less harmful to pets but contains much fat content and can still make pets unwell.

One often hears of pet owners stating that their dogs or cats eat chocolate regularly and seem to have no side effects and this may be due to lower concentrates of the theobromine in the chocolate bar consumed, and the size of the pet and how much they have actually consumed.

Generally, a 20- pound sized dog would need to eat about 1 pound of dark chocolate for a lethal dose.

What are the signs of pet chocolate toxicity?

The signs of pet chocolate poisoning can initially cause hyperactivity, vomiting and diarrhoea.

This can then lead to nervous reactions such as twitching, tremors, fitting, and life-threatening heart problems.

It’s best to try and establish how much your pet has actually eaten and contact your vet as soon as possible along with the remains and wrapper. This can help the vet establish the strength of the chemicals contained in the chocolate should your dog, cat, or pet rabbit go on and develop complications.

If you suddenly find your pet acting strangely especially being hyperactive it may be because they have found a secret stash of chocolate from somewhere and it is still advisable to talk to your vet.

Safe storage

Ours was a typical ‘innocent’ cat accident, which can so easily happen around any home, and more so particularly around present giving times such as Mothering Sunday, Christmas, Easter and birthdays.

It’s vital to keep chocolate and wrappers out of reach of your pets. Having a special tin or place in the home where sweets are kept can be an alternative and safe way of keeping sweet hazards out of pets way and include teaching small children that they mustn’t give pets their sweeties as much as they want to share them with their furry friends!

What is cabor?

Easter is a popular time when one sees adverts of chocolate eggs for dogs, cats, pet rabbits and even small pets and this may be misleading but the pet supplier may be trying to offer the special pet-friendly chocolate made with cabor.

Carob powder is also called carob flour, is a cocoa powder alternative. It’s made from dried, roasted carob tree pods and looks a lot like cocoa powder. Carob powder is often used as a natural sweetener in baked goods. It’s sweet and has a unique taste’.

Pet Easter eggs are made with cabor and packaged just like human Easter eggs in cardboard printed cardboard boxes.

Is chocolate the only food that causes toxicity?

There are numerous foods that humans can eat that cause pets and animals poisoning.

Some of the more common toxic foods, for example, are grapes, raisins and sultanas, most nuts, and alcohol. Thousands of pet toxicity cases are reported yearly to UK vets and many of those cases are simple, everyday incidents that occur around the home.

Read our feature ‘The Best Foods For Your Pet’

What to do in any eventuality of a suspected case of pet poisoning

If you suspect your pet has been touching, eating or inhaling anything that may be regarded as suspicious or that may be dangerous consult your local veterinary practice immediately or online vet service, that includes human medicines consumed by pets.

In an emergency help your vet by –

Producing the left-overs of what may have been eaten, inhaled or what your pet has been in contact with.

Produce the wrapper, tin, container of what was eaten, inhaled or your pet exposed to. If a suspected chemical, for example, you should take preventative care when touching and sealing the contents or take veterinary advice if suspected of being a dangerous chemical to both pets and humans.

How much you consider your pet may have eaten or been exposed to.

When your pet was exposed, how long ago, minutes, hours or days.

How your pet may be unwell, the symptoms showing or not showing.

Do not try to make your pet sick. This can cause other complications, which may harm your pet.

Do not wait for your pet to become unwell. Vets can treat pets for toxicity but the sooner they are presented with the sick animal, the easier it is likely to be to aid a full recovery.

\\\ You may like to read Pet Check blogs about pet foods