Easter is a fantastic time for family get-togethers and of course, lots of chocolate! But while we're enjoying our chocolate bunnies and eggs, it's super important to remember our furry family members.
Dogs and chocolate are not a good combination as chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two substances that are toxic to them. But there are things you can do to keep your pooch safe this Easter.
Firstly, the golden rules!
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Keep all chocolate out of paw's reach - stored up high or locked away!
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Next, during Easter egg hunts, keep your dog in a separate area or on a lead. It’s easy for them to find and gobble up chocolate eggs hidden in the garden or around the house before the kids do. Plus, it's a great excuse to have a separate doggie treasure hunt with dog-safe treats!
Now, dogs are sneaky, and sometimes they can be successful at finding your Easter stash, so if you know they have eaten chocolate, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away. They might advise you to bring your dog in, or they might have other recommendations based on the amount and type of chocolate eaten.
If you didn’t witness the great chocolate heist, but your dog starts displaying any of these symptoms (6-12 hours after eating), call your vet/vet hospital straight away:
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A bit of a tummy upset
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Restlessness
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Excessive thirst
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Rapid breathing
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Seizures (in severe cases)
Effects can also vary based on the size of your dog and the type of chocolate they've eaten. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are far more dangerous than milk chocolate, but that doesn't mean any chocolate is safe.
Smaller dogs are at a higher risk because it takes a lot less chocolate to affect them compared to a larger dog. For example, just a small piece of dark chocolate can be dangerous for a tiny terrier, but a larger dog might need to consume quite a bit more to show the same level of symptoms.
So, let's keep those happy tails wagging and our Easter chocolate in human tummies only!
Here are more helpful tips to keep your dog safe in and around your home.
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