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Vet Warns: Easter Chocolate Deadly for Dogs
5 Apr
Summary
- Chocolate contains theobromine, toxic to dogs in certain amounts.
- Danger levels vary by dog weight and chocolate type.
- Cats typically avoid chocolate due to lack of sweet tooth.
Veterinarian Dr. Chris Brown has cautioned pet owners this Easter, urging them to keep chocolate away from their dogs. He emphasized that while owners need not panic, chocolate contains theobromine, a substance toxic to canines in sufficient quantities.
Dr. Brown explained that the amount of chocolate required to cause serious issues is quite high, and often gastrointestinal upsets are caused by the fat, sugar, and foil packaging first. He provided specific guidance on dangerous consumption levels, detailing that a 10kg dog could be at risk from 400g of milk chocolate or 150g of dark chocolate.
For larger dogs, a 35kg canine would need to consume 1400g of milk chocolate or 400g of dark chocolate to reach a danger zone. Cats, Dr. Brown noted, generally do not have a sweet tooth and therefore tend to avoid chocolate.
In personal news, Dr. Brown has been publicly dating publicist Lorraine Monforte since September last year. The couple divides their time between Brisbane and Bondi. Monforte, previously a publicist for Channel 10 in Queensland, and Dr. Brown, who moved to rival network Seven in 2023, are reportedly very happy together.
