Most of the time, nature protects us from poisons by making them taste bad. However, for dogs, the lure of delicious chocolate is a very, very dangerous thing. Though a single Hershey’s Kiss will likely only cause the discomfort of diarrhea or vomiting for your dog, it isn't wise to allow your pet to develop a taste for chocolate at all.

The problem lies in the dangerous combination of how delicious chocolate is and how legendarily out of control dogs get when they love what they’re eating. There’s a reason why people say, “I was so hungry, I wolfed down my lunch.” We’ve seen our fair share of Lexington dogs and cats who’ve earned themselves a visit to our animal hospital when they experienced this dangerous combination.

So, what is it in chocolate that’s dangerous? Our animal hospital team can tell you that theobromine, the natural stimulant found in coco plants, is harmful to dogs. It has a mild effect on humans, but some animals, like horses and dogs, get a big boost from theobromine as it stimulates the heart and nervous system. Horses are so affected by theobromine that horse racing rules list chocolate as a banned substance. Since horses weigh so much more than dogs, the same chocolate bar that perks up a big horse will definitely cause an emergency trip to our Lexington veterinarian for a Chihuahua.

So, the bottom line is that keeping chocolate away from your dog (and your cat) will help keep your pet from experiencing unplanned visits to our animal vet clinic.

Our Veterinarian’s Advice for A Chocolate-Safe Holiday Season

As chocolate-heavy holidays approach (Halloween, Christmas, etc.), it’s more important than ever to be aware of chocolate poisoning hazards to your pet. The only perfect strategy is not having any chocolate in your home, but since that's a sacrifice that many of us aren't willing to make, be sure you keep your chocolate securely away from your pet.

Keep chocolate in a tightly closed container, on a high shelf or in a cupboard. Never store chocolate near pet foods. And, never leave bowls of chocolate where your pet can get at them. So be especially careful on Halloween when trick-or-treaters come to call or you may find out first hand that chocolate is no treat for dogs.

Want to know more about common pet toxins? Call us at Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital.

How do you keep chocolate away from your pet?