Shropshire vet: What to do if your dog has eaten chocolate
A Shropshire vet says severe cases can be fatal
A Shropshire vet has told us what to do if your dog has eaten some of your chocolate this Easter Sunday.
Natalie Morris from Malthouse Vets in Minsterley says it can be fatal in severe cases.
Why can't dogs eat chocolate?
Vet Natalie told us that chocolate contains Theobromine which is an alkaloid found in cacoa.
She said that dogs cannot metabolise it: "It can cause from fairly mild to severe symptoms.
"In milder cases we will see vomiting, diarrhoea and maybe some sort of hyperactivity from the caffeine in chocolate.
"It can then go on to cause heart issues, seizures and even death in really severe cases.
"There is also the packaging such as foil and plastic which can cause problems if the dog eats it as well," she said.
Is all chocolate bad for dogs?
The cocoa powder is the problem, according to Vet Natalie.
She said white chocolate had the lowest toxicity level because it does not have any cocoa powder in it, but it can still cause tummy upsets.
"With milk chocolate, dogs need around 14 grams per kilogramme to reach a toxic dose. With dark chocolate, you only need around 3.5 grams per kilogram for it to be toxic.
"Cocoa powder is our most toxic. That includes things like chocolate cake," she said.
"Keep chocolate out of reach"
Vet Natalie said that Easter egg hunts can be tricky: "If eggs are being stored around the garden, the dogs could easily find them and try to get involved.
"My advice would be to keep chocolate out of reach and your dog on the lead," she said.
What should I do if my dog has eaten chocolate?
Vet Natalie said each dog owner should have an emergency vet in their contact book, in case of any accidents over a bank holiday weekend.
"If you are not sure whether you need to call, there is an online chocolate calculator. You can put in what your dog has eaten and how much they have had.
"That will then guide whether you need to seek veterinary assistance," she said.