Before you and your family tuck into your chocolate eggs this Easter, please do consider the hidden dangers of feeding chocolate to the four-legged members of the family or leaving it out for a sneaky pet to chomp.
A Dogs Trust survey revealed that more than 57 per cent of pet dogs have eaten chocolate intended for humans and more than one in ten have became ill from it.
Sadly of these, eight per cent died due to the effects and nearly a quarter required urgent veterinary treatment.
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is extremely toxic to man’s best friend. The darker the chocolate, the greater the amount of theobromine and the greater the risk.
For more information please visit dogstrust.org.uk.
Paula Boyden Veterinary Director, Dogs Trust, Wakley Street, London.
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