We all love our pets and want to spoil them from time to time, especially with Christmas round the corner. But there is a fresh warning about giving your dogs chocolate, with the US FDA saying it could cause real health issues for man’s best friend.
What’s the Harm?
Well, in short, chocolate can be toxic for your dog. Most of us know we aren’t really supposed to give it to our pooch, but dog owners also know it can be hard to resist those big eyes! Next time your pet is begging for a piece of chocolate, try to remember the potential consequences for their health. It can even be fatal in some cases.
Signs to Look For
Chocolate has a caffeine-like substance in it called theobromine. This is the compound which could cause an issue for your pet if they ingest too much of it. It could cause a toxic reaction, leading to symptoms like vomiting, hyperactivity and muscle spasms, to name just a few. But it can also lead to more serious consequences like seizures, a rapid heart rate or even neurological problems.
However, dogs aren’t like humans, and if you can’t see an obvious reaction, it may be hard to spot that your pet needs urgent help from a vet. We can test toxicity levels in humans with clinical trial assistants from a specialist company like http://www.gandlscientific.com/clinical-trial-assistants/ on hand. They can help when a person speaks up about a problem. But it isn’t always so easy to monitor an animal.
What If My Dog Does Eat Chocolate?
If your dog has managed to get a hold of some chocolate and is showing symptoms, they need to see a vet right away. You can also encourage them to throw it up. While it’s not a pleasant idea, it will help get as much of the chocolate out of their system as quickly as possible.
How to Avoid an Issue
You can work out the safest amount of chocolate to give your dog based on things such as their weight and age. Online resources are available to help you figure out the most suitable levels of various types of chocolate.
But the best course of action is not to give in to those big eyes and simply say no.
