Suffolk pet owners warned to watch for signs of chocolate poisoning over Easter
The RSPCA says vomiting, diarrhoea, twitching or seizures are all possible
Pet owners in Suffolk are being warned to keep an eye on any chocolate in the house over the weekend, to avoid an emergency trip to the vets.
It can be toxic for dogs and dangerous for cats.
Vanessa Howie, Head Vet for Companion Animals at the RSPCA, said: “We’re really keen this Easter to get the message out that chocolate can be extremely bad for dogs, even in small amounts - and can lead to a worrying trip to the vets.
“Dogs can be very good at begging for tasty food when they know it’s around, so don’t fall for the puppy dog eyes. It is much safer for them to have a pet-friendly treat when joining in with the Easter festivities."
Another popular food which is harmful to dogs is raisins, so owners should avoid giving dogs anything which includes those, for example, hot cross buns.
Nicola Walker, the East Regional press officer for the RSPCA, told us about some of the signs to look out for that your pet has eaten something they shouldn't.
They include:
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Breathing difficulties
- Twitching
- Seizures
Nicola went on to say people need to act "straight away", even if their pets aren't displaying symptoms, but are suspected to have eaten chocolate.
She recommends people call their vet immediately for advice. Out-of-hours vets are still available over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Nicola also suggests keeping the chocolate wrapper, so the vet can see how much chocolate your pet has eaten and what type.