Dogs Trust warns of hidden chocolate dangers

We may all be left wishing we hadn’t over indulged this Easter, but for your dog it could literally be a matter of life or death, warns Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity.  They are urging pet owners not to give foil-wrapped goodies to their four legged friends this Easter. Not only could too much chocolate transform your pup into a porky pooch, it could lead to a serious case of chocolate poisoning.

Dogs Trust is advising dog owners that chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which, although harmless to humans, is extremely toxic to man’s best friend. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Toxic doses vary according to the size of dog and cocoa solid content of the chocolate, but as a rough guide, Dogs Trust estimates that just 50g of plain chocolate (that’s one and a half average sized chocolate bars) could be enough to kill a small dog, such as a Yorkshire Terrier. An average size dog could be killed by about 400g.

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Chris Laurence, comments:

“If your egg is missing and you suspect the dog as the culprit, look out for any of the following symptoms; vomiting containing blood, a sore tummy, excessive thirst, excitability, drooling, slow heart rate and in the later stages, epileptic-type fits. If your dog is displaying any of these signs then take him immediately to your vet. The good news is that if caught early enough the symptoms of theobromine poisoning can be treated”.

Although you may be tempted to give in to those big brown eyes pleading for a chocolately treat, Dogs Trust recommends that you give your dog a delicious natural doggy treat that won’t rot his teeth, pile on the pounds or even be fatal. That way, neither you nor your pet will end this Easter feeling glum.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity with 17 Rehoming Centres across the UK. Dogs Trust cares for over 15,000 stray and abandoned dogs every year.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

* Chocolate bar =

*fatal doses of theobromine quoted in the range 90 – 250mg per kg of body weight, from  “The Handbook of Poisoning in Cats and Dogs” by Alexander Campbell and Michael Chapman (Blackwell Science). For the average Yorkshire Terrier we have estimated a body weight of 2.5kg and for an average dog we have estimated a body weight of 25kg.

Cases of death by an Easter egg alone are relatively unlikely, most reported cases of death by theobromine are from dogs eating cocoa powder and cocoa mulch in the garden, so please be vigilant if your dog is also exposed to these things.

For more information please contact DogsTrust Press Office on:

Sarah Carlin 020 7833 7620

Email: Sarah Carlin

Website www.dogstrust.org.uk

Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.