{"id":33661,"date":"2024-01-01T16:40:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T15:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/8193f7b5-a577-4355-bc3b-f06f4e07012f"},"modified":"2024-01-01T17:39:22","modified_gmt":"2024-01-01T16:39:22","slug":"why-is-chocolate-poisonous-to-dogs-and-what-are-the-symptoms-of-chocolate-poisoning","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/why-is-chocolate-poisonous-to-dogs-and-what-are-the-symptoms-of-chocolate-poisoning\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs – and what are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is chocolate very poisonous to dogs? How much can they eat? Veterinary surgeon Nicholas Burrell explains all you need to know <\/p>

By countryfile\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 01 January 2024 at 15:40 PM<\/p>

\n\n

One of the most common causes of poisoning in dogs is chocolate as while relatively harmless to humans chocolate can be deadly to dogs. Veterinary surgeon Nicholas Burrell explains why chocolate is poisonous to dogs, the symptoms and what to do if your dog has been poisoned<\/p>

Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?<\/h2>
Chocolate\u00a0should not be fed to dogs because it contains a substance called theobromine\u00a0that dogs cannot break down. The darker the chocolate, the higher the\u00a0theobromine\u00a0content, and even small amounts can cause\u00a0illness.<\/p>

What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs?<\/h2>
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning\u00a0may\u00a0include vomiting, diarrhoea and increased heart rate, and it can lead to seizures\u00a0(fits)\u00a0and\u00a0heart\u00a0failure.\u00a0Darker chocolate\u00a0carries a greater risk of poisoning and, the smaller the dog, the\u00a0less they need to eat to be poisoned.<\/p>

What to do if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate<\/h2>
If you do\u00a0suspect your pet has\u00a0wolfed down some\u00a0chocolate \u2013 or\u00a0indeed\u00a0anything\u00a0dangerous\u00a0–\u00a0call your veterinary practice straight away and tell them\u00a0what your dog has had, how much they\u2019ve eaten and how long ago they ate it. They may recommend that you bring your dog in straight away, where treatment usually involves making the pet sick\u00a0and administering activated\u00a0charcoal to soak up the toxins.\u00a0In more serious cases, the pet\u00a0may\u00a0need to be put on a fluid drip to support their organs.<\/p>
More pet advice<\/strong><\/p>
Why do dogs eat grass?<\/a><\/li>
Help your pet live longer – and happier – with these 5 expert tips from veterinary surgeon Pete Wedderburn<\/a><\/li>
How to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats<\/a><\/li>
How to have a pet-friendly BBQ and garden party<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Nicholas Burrell\u00a0BVetMed MRCVS is clinical director of Abbey Veterinary Group in Derbyshire<\/a>. His main interests are\u00a0dentistry and\u00a0ultrasound\u00a0and he carries out the majority of scans at the practice.\u00a0Nick owns four rescue cats and a pony.<\/p>
Abbey Veterinary Group is a member of the VetPartners Family. VetPartners is a nationwide veterinary group, which includes first opinion practices for large animals, equine and small animals as well as a growing network of referral practices that offer specialist care for small animal and equine patients.<\/p>
Find your nearest VetPartner practice<\/a> <\/p>
Main image: Getty Images<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?<\/h2>Chocolate\u00a0should not be fed to dogs because it contains a substance called theobromine\u00a0that dogs cannot break down. The darker the chocolate, the higher the\u00a0theobromine\u00a0content, and even small amounts can cause\u00a0illness.<\/p>

Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?<\/h2>
Chocolate\u00a0should not be fed to dogs because it contains a substance called theobromine\u00a0that dogs cannot break down. The darker the chocolate, the higher the\u00a0theobromine\u00a0content, and even small amounts can cause\u00a0illness.<\/p>