Easter: A Dangerous Time for Dogs

At Easter, please remember - do NOT give your dogs chocolate!

Chocolate is toxic to dogs as it contains the chemicals theobromine and caffeine, neither of which dogs are able to digest.

Milk chocolate contains the least amounts of these substances, and dark and cooking chocolate contain the most. Consequently, a dog could eat more milk chocolate than dark chocoate and not get sick but this also depends on the size of the dog. A lethal dose of milk chocolate for a 55-pound (25kg) dog would be about 50 ounces (1.4kg), or just little over three pounds. Signs of poisoning may include vomitting, hyperactivity, restlessness, jumping when touched, very rapid heartbeat and breathing rate, a loss of control of leg muscles, muscle tremors, seizures, general weakness, coma and death.

If you must feed chocolate, use a "dog chocolate" made from carob. Avoid feeding sweets that contain real chocolate.

Should your dog gain access to chocolate, take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Further information can be found at Death by Chocolate.