Dogs and chocolate are one of the most dangerous pairings, and with Easter (and easter baskets and treats) just around the corner, understanding the dangers of dogs and chocolate is so important.

Unfortunately we have had more than 1 run in with our dogs and chocolate, one leading to the death of our dog. He had gotten into a large bag of semi sweet chocolate chips, and as the toxicity levels in him increased he suffered tremors, and finally an arrhythmia causing his death.

It was sudden, and traumatic and shocking for us to lose him in such a way, and has caused me to be even more vigilant about chocolate around the home.

But no matter how many times you tell the kids, it just doesn’t sink in.

10 years after we lost our first dog, we almost lost another, in exactly the same way.

Our little Springer went blind about 4 years ago. Without her site she is ever reliant on her nose to keep her entertained. Most dogs will sit and stare out the window for hours, watching the world go by, but with this little girl, she follows her nose to keep her amused, and her nose can lead her to some pretty nasty situations.

Last Easter she got into my son’s Easter basket, devouring the majority of his chocolate.  Thankfully most of it was milk chocolate, which has a very low dose of the “poison” (caffeine, etc) and while it gave her a rough tummy, it did not cause her any other issues.

But last week she was able to open a kitchen cupboard and access a bag of chocolate chips that someone had left on a low shelf.  It was the same Costco sized bag that the other dog had gotten into that had ended up killing him, and we found her that evening vomiting and unsteady.

First course of action with dogs and chocolate is to encourage vomiting.  Get the chocolate OUT.

Second course, especially if it is NOT milk chocolate that the dog consumed, is to call your vet. Your pet needs activated charcoal and a sedative to calm their heart.  The caffeine in the semi-sweet or dark chocolate is what causes the tremors and racing heart, and eventually arrhythmia and death.

We had a call into our emergency Vet, and continued to clean up her (seven) piles of vomit throughout the night.  She slept, and we slept fitfully.

When we woke in the morning our little girl was starting to get the tremors, and her body was beginning to seize.  It was obvious this was not a light case of tummy trouble.  She was bundled into the car and rushed to await the vet’s arrival at the office.

The amounts of vomit her little body produced was extraordinary, and worrisome.

We were lucky to have the vet ring us while my hubby was waiting in his parking lot and he rushed over and got her in the office.  She was given a sedative and charcoal and kept at the office for the day.

When I picked her up the vet told me we were lucky, and that is was very close.  We kept her sedated for the next 72 hrs, allow the toxins to leave her body.

Why do I tell you this?
Dogs and chocolate is no joke. If your dog gets into chocolate, call your vet. Now.  Dogs love semi-sweet chocolate because of the sugar (and tend to stay away from darker chocolate).  Milk chocolate is less poisonous, but can still cause problems.

Induce vomiting, anyway you can. Keep your dog calm, and stress free, managing it’s heart rate.

But most of all, keep the chocolate OUT of there reach this Easter.  Ensure dogs are kept away from any “hidden eggs” and baskets are stored above their reach.

Fill your dogs belly with HEALTHY food choices, like Petcurean dog foods,  so they are less inclined to go “egg hunting” on their own. Get them outdoors and exercising so they are amused and entertained and less likely to need entertainment. Keep your vet’s number handy, and don’t think twice about calling if you suspect your dog has gotten into chocolate. From someone who has lost one pet, and almost another, trust me, it is URGENT care that is needed.

Our little girl is back to regular self now, and her first order of business was to go BACK to the cupboard that held the chocolate.  She will never learn, so we have to be even more vigilant.. at least now the kids have experienced the fear of losing a dog and what happens when dogs and chocolate are combined.

Keep your pet safe this easter!