Care for your canine by hiding the chocolate this Easter

Leading experts are reminding dog owners that chocolate meant for human consumption is toxic to dogs.

Seeing Eye Dogs Supervisor of Veterinary Services, Dr Nicola Cotton, said that although dogs find chocolate as delicious as humans it’s essential not to let them eat it. 

“We all like to indulge in chocolate and dogs are no different, they really enjoy its sweetness. It’s quite common for a dog to sniff out and eat chocolate even if it’s still in its wrapper,” she said.

“However, chocolate contains the ingredient theobromine which can cause a dog’s central nervous system to go into overdrive. It speeds up their heart rate, makes them hyper sensitive to sounds and touch, and causes hyperactivity. They may also vomit or develop diarrhoea. Unfortunately, in more serious cases, the dog will require veterinary intervention and could possibly die.”

The advice provided by Seeing Eye Dogs, a division of Vision Australia, is that if you know or believe your dog has eaten chocolate, take action quickly.

“A dog may have eaten chocolate previously and not been affected. But, they could still get sick on this particular occasion, even if they eat only a few squares of chocolate, as toxicity can be enhanced by a range of factors.

“These include whether the dog has recently exercised, how much it has eaten, how much water it has drunk, and the type of chocolate consumed. Milk and dark chocolate both contain higher levels of cocoa and therefore, more theobromine,” Dr Cotton warned.

“Don’t delay in getting veterinary attention. Call your nearest emergency veterinary clinic to talk through your dog’s well-being. Alternatively, take your dog to the clinic directly if they are unusually distressed and seem unwell.”

The keys to including the family pet in Easter celebrations are moderation and encouragement of a dog’s natural foraging behaviour. 

“We recommend that you give your dog the treats you normally give them. But like humans, don’t go overboard. As a special surprise, hide your dog’s treats so they can enjoy sniffing them out,” Dr Cotton advised.

Seeing Eye Dogs also suggested placing your dog inside if you are hosting a backyard Easter Egg hunt to avoid tears before tea time, just in case they find all of the Easter Eggs before the children do.