Pet owners urged to avoid low hanging chocolate for a disaster-free Christmas tree

Pet Protect, a specialist pet insurance provider, urges dog owners to be wary of low hanging branches if decorating their Christmas tree with foil-wrapped chocolate baubles. They point out that the chocolate could provide an irresistible but dangerous temptation to dogs.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a toxic chemical that can cause poisoning and even be lethal if consumed by a dog. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include excessive drinking, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse and heart failure. Plain chocolate is known to create greater problems than milk chocolate

The seriousness of the chocolate consumption is really dependent upon the weight of the dog and the amount consumed. Ruth Cottam, Pet Protect's Claims Manager and Veterinary Nurse, comments: "It may only take the equivalent of a small bar of plain chocolate (as little as 100g) to kill a small dog such as a Chihuahua. Larger dogs such as Labradors may ingest a fatal dose at just 400g. Some dogs may be more susceptible to chocolate poisoning and ingestion of smaller amounts may kill them or at the very least cause great harm. I advise any pet owner who suspects that their pet has ingested chocolate to contact their vet immediately so they can help determine the correct treatment."

Last updated 14.12.2007