Death by Chocolate

Human chocolate is now one of the most common toxins to dogs

Human chocolate poisoning is on the Increase

Vets have seen a surge of almost 27% from 2007 to 2008 in the number of dogs falling ill after eating chocolate with 1,166 cases being reported…this does not include the number of pets poisoned that have died or where cases have not been reported

Negative PR

Human chocolate poisoning has featured heavily in the press with negative PR including; Storylines in prime time TV (Coronation Street/EastEnders) and National Press (Daily Mail, The Times)

What is Theobromine?

Theobromine is a naturally occurring compound found in the Cocoa bean, and it is this compound that is poisonous to dogs

Why is it poisonous?

In dogs, the time taken to metabolize theobromine is more than double that of humans thus, taking longer to be filtered out of their liver

What are the symptoms of poisoning?

Symptoms include diarrhoea, restlessness, nausea and vomiting. The central nervous system, heart and kidneys can also be affected and in the worse case, fatal

What is a fatal dose for dogs?*

• A small bar of plain chocolate (100-150g) would be enough to kill an average sized Yorkshire Terrier

• A medium bar (200g) would be enough to kill an average sized Spaniel

• A large bar (400g) would be enough to kill an average sized Labrador

  * Park Vets, 2009