Why you shouldn’t give your pet chocolate on Valentines Day

While Valentine’s Day chocolates are a sweet indulgence for us, they can be harmful—even life-threatening—for pets. Dogs and cats metabolise foods differently, chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, compounds which are toxic to them.

Dr Natashia Evans, Critical Care Specialist at Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Gosford, explains, “Pets are family, so it’s natural to want to include them in celebrations. However, giving chocolate to your dog or cat is dangerous. Their digestive systems can’t handle many human foods, including chocolate.”

Signs of chocolate toxicity can appear within 30 minutes to several hours after ingestion, depending on the type and amount consumed. Dogs may experience symptoms ranging from vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness to tremors, seizures and in severe cases, death.

Additional warning signs include:

• Rapid or irregular heart rate
• Muscle tension
• Hyperactivity or agitation
• Fever

To keep your pets safe, store Valentine’s Day treats out of reach. If your pet eats chocolate, even a small amount, visit ARH Gosford immediately. Symptoms may not appear right away.

This Valentine’s Day, show your love with pet-friendly treats instead!