{"id":28282,"date":"2016-03-24T07:00:30","date_gmt":"2016-03-24T06:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petspyjamas.com\/blog\/?p=28282"},"modified":"2016-09-13T11:56:17","modified_gmt":"2016-09-13T10:56:17","slug":"pdsa-keep-chocolate-reach-pets-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petspyjamas.com\/blog\/pdsa-keep-chocolate-reach-pets-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"PDSA: Keep chocolate out of reach of pets over Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly half a million dogs* are still being fed human chocolate despite the fact it could kill them, PDSA warned today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s leading vet charity has issued a plea to pet owners ahead of Easter, amid fears that many owners may be tempted to \u2018treat\u2019 their dogs to Easter eggs and cake.<\/p>\n

With just a small bar of dark chocolate enough to fatally poison a small dog such as a Yorkshire Terrier<\/a>, PDSA vets say they are bracing themselves for the annual increase in admissions for chocolate poisoning cases.<\/p>\n

The charity\u2019s latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report reveals that 5%* of dogs have been fed human chocolate despite it being toxic and potentially life-threatening.<\/p>\n

\"chocolate<\/p>\n

PDSA vet, Vicki Larkham-Jones, said: \u201cEvery year pets require emergency treatment after falling victim to the harmful effects of theobromine<\/em> \u2013 an ingredient in human chocolate. The high sugar content of chocolate is no good for pets\u2019 waistlines or teeth either, contributing to obesity and dental disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Easter and Christmas our vets are on standby for a rise in cases of chocolate poisoning, which in some cases can be very serious and sometimes even fatal.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost pet owners love giving their pet a treat but some are still unaware of the dangers of human chocolate. Easter should be a time of celebration but making a simple mistake through a lack of awareness could actually mean the difference between life and death for your pet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thanks to funding support from players of People\u2019s Postcode Lottery, PDSA is educating more pet owners than ever about the dangers of chocolate poisoning this year. Vets are also alerting people about the risks of other popular Easter goodies such as raisins, peanuts and coffee beans which can be potentially lethal to pets due to the chemicals they contain.<\/p>\n

The effects of chocolate poisoning in dogs usually appear within four hours of eating, and can last as long as 24 hours.<\/strong><\/p>\n