Contact: Geoff Freeth

Canobolas Pet Hospital

10 William St

Orange NSW

Ph - 02 63626991

email canobolasvets@hotmail.com

 

Traditionally vets around Easter time warn dog owners of the
dangers of feeding their dogs chocolate, however the vets at Canobolas Pet
Hospital think that the risk might be overstated. In a combined 64 years
experience working as vets, none of the vets at the clinic have ever diagnosed
a case of chocolate poisoning. 

The problem with chocolate is that it contains an ingredient
called theobromine which animals metabolise much more slowly than humans do.
The effect of theobromine is not dissimilar to having too much caffeine, causing
heart palpations, vomiting, dizziness, shaking, seizures and death.  

“Theoretically chocolate shouldn’t be fed to pets but the
truth is that chocolate isn’t very dangerous, but we still don’t want pet
owners feeding it to their pets,” said Dr Geoff Freeth of Canobolas Pet
Hospital. “ Every Easter we get a call from a distraught pet owner saying their
dog has eaten an Easter egg. I think the misinformation about the dangers cause
a lot of distress every Easter.” 

A 20 kg dog would have to eat half a kilo of milk chocolate
before they started to show signs of theobromine toxicity, but only 240 grams
of dark chocolate to have the same effect. Milk chocolate or special dog
chocolate, where the theobromine has been taken out is safest.

“There is no dietary requirement for dogs to eat chocolate
so there is reason to feed it to them. Given them some peanut butter instead,
for a treat,” said Dr Freeth. “ If we do feed them chocolate they will see it
as a food source and then if they come across your stash of chocolate they might
just eat enough to make them sick. That is the best reason not to give your dog
a little chocolate treat.”