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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re planning a romantic evening out, don’t forget to make sure your chocolate gifts are out of your pet’s reach before you leave the house. Otherwise, you could find yourself taking a not-so-romantic trip to the emergency vet. If your pet does find your candy stash, don’t worry: Waipio Pet Clinic is here to help.

Located in Waipahu on the island of Oahu, the veterinarians at Waipio Pet Clinic have over 75 years of experience. Their commitment to animal wellness extends to a wide variety of pets, with expertise in pet medicine, pet surgery, and emergency vet services complete with an on-site laboratory.

Here are a few things you should know if your dog or cat eats chocolate:

  • emergency vetFirst, call the vet. Waipio Pet Clinic’s emergency vet will tell you if your dog or cat needs a trip to the animal hospital.

  • Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. They are more sensitive to certain chemicals in it (like caffeine) than humans are. Generally, the darker the chocolate and the more of it your pet ate, the more dangerous it is for them. How much your pet weighs, how much chocolate they ate, and what kind (dark, milk, or white) determines how toxic it is.

  • For dogs, the vet might tell you to give them a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to make them throw up, but sometimes the chocolate will make them sick enough to do so. You should not give hydrogen peroxide to cats. The chemical can damage their stomach lining and cause bleeding.

These symptoms might not start for 6-12 hours after your pet has eaten chocolate, and can last for a few days. Chocolate can be fatal, so if your pet is acting strange or it looks like they have been in your candy, give Waipio Pet Clinic a call at (808) 676-2205. You can also learn more about the services they offer online.

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