Easter is right around the corner, which means many families are stocking up on delicious treats. While you celebrate, it’s important to consider your furry friends. Since it contains caffeine and theobromine, chocolate can be dangerous or even lethal to dogs. The following information will help you recognize the signs your pet needs to go to the veterinarian, as well as help you avoid any emergencies.

How Should You Keep Chocolate Eggs Away From Dogs?

First, limit the time the candy remains in your home. If you can, try to pick it up only a week or so before the holiday. This will decrease the opportunities your pet has to get to the chocolate.

Once you have the treats at home, keep them in a cupboard out of reach. Tell your children that when they eat the candy, they can’t share it with the dog. Explaining that it can cause stomach problems in your pet may help encourage your little ones to keep it away from them.

What Should You Do if You Think Your Dog Ate Chocolate?

In most cases, the signs of chocolate poisoning will start to appear within six to 12 hours of ingestion. At this point, your dog may experience diarrhea, tremors, vomiting, an abnormal heart rate, and increased body temperature.

If you believe your dog ate chocolate, even if it was only a small amount, contact your veterinarian immediately. Tell them how much the dog ate and what kind of chocolate it was.

Semi-sweet, milk, and baking chocolate have different effects in dogs due to their range in caffeine and theobromine content. For example, if your small dog ate an entire bar of semi-sweet chocolate, they will need to come in for a stomach pumping. Conversely, if they only had a small bite of white chocolate, your veterinarian might simply recommend monitoring their behavior to look for any symptoms of poisoning.

For all of your pet care needs, turn to the professionals at Vintage Park Veterinary Clinic in Sacramento, CA. These knowledgeable veterinarians are proud to offer a broad range of pet services designed to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. They also offer after-hour appointments for emergency care. Call (916) 243-5855 to schedule an emergency appointment, and visit them online to learn more about what they do.