Overview
- UK vets have renewed Easter alerts as egg hunts put dogs at higher risk of finding and eating chocolate.
- Theobromine in cocoa is poisonous to dogs, with about 10 grams of milk chocolate per kilogram of body weight enough to cause illness.
- Darker or premium chocolate contains more theobromine, so even tiny amounts can be more dangerous.
- Warning signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, rapid breathing, loss of coordination, or seizures, and symptoms can be delayed for hours.
- Owners are urged to keep dogs away from hunts, check for missed eggs, contact a vet at once if chocolate is eaten, and bring the packaging to help assess the dose.