Thousands of curious dogs could be fatally poisoned this festive season by gobbling down chocolate left around the house by their owners.
Pet owners have been warned to keep the sweet treats out of sniffing distance of their pooches to stop them suffering chocolate poisoning.
By the end of 2016 an estimated 6,609 dogs in the UK will have suffered chocolate poisoning, with over a quarter of cases expected in December alone. Reported cases have leapt by an estimated 25 percent since 2015, according to figures from a pet insurance company.
The effects of chocolate poisoning – just one of the perils facing pooches this season – are very serious and can be extremely dangerous to dogs, warn vets. Chocolate contains theobromine – a stimulant similar to caffeine – which is highly toxic to dogs.
Pet owners are also being warned to keep animals away from other common items that crop up more often during Christmas.
These include bones, Christmas cake and mince pies, nuts, pine needles and tinsel.
According to insurance provider AnimalFriends.co.uk , which commissioned the research, the average cost of treatment for chocolate poisoning in dogs is £297.
Westley Pearson, Claims & Marketing director commented, “If your dog has consumed a small amount of chocolate, you may find they experience vomiting or diarrhoea, either immediately or over the few hours after ingestion. Vomiting is a good sign, as it means your dog is getting rid of the poison, however you should still take your pet to your local vet. If your dog has eaten an excessive amount of chocolate, they may experience a feeling of restlessness and a sense of increased energy. This is followed by tremors, weakness and balance problems. It’s very important that as soon as your dog has eaten the chocolate, you get them examined by a vet. Symptoms such as seizures, muscle spasms and even comas can occur as a result of chocolate poisoning, so take every precaution you can.”
The figures were calculated using data on the number of chocolate-related claims filed to Animal Friends which was then extrapolated across the UK dog population.
Bones – even when cooked, animal bones can become brittle and splinter, causing severe internal issues for your pets. Turkey bones are especially dangerous as they’re hollow, meaning that they splinter whether cooked or raw.
Christmas Cake and Mince Pies – while humans love them, Christmas pies and cakes contain dried fruit such as raisins, which are toxic to dogs and can make them seriously ill. Not to mention the fact that they are usually extremely high in fat and possibly alcohol, which is a no-no for your furry friend.
Nuts – nuts have become a Christmas favourite, but not only could these be a choking hazard for your dog, but some nuts can cause them to suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea. Smaller dogs are particularly susceptible to stomach upset or obstruction when consuming nuts such as walnuts or pecans.
Christmas tree – you should ensure that your tree is secured properly, as they are commonly knocked over by dogs and climbed by cats, which can potentially result in injury.
Pine needles – ideally these should be cleaned up as soon as they drop because they can become embedded in paws and if left untreated may cause an infection.
Seasonal plants – decorative Christmas plants like Mistletoe and Holly will give your dog extreme intestinal problems and abdominal pain if eaten, so should be kept well away from pets. Tinsel and ribbons – while they look great draped over our picture frames, if decorations such as tinsel are eaten by our pets, they will not only cause stomach problems but your pet could choke on them, so keep them out of reach.