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Food

Chocolate

Contact a vet immediately, even before signs appear. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.

SevereDogsCatsFerretsRabbitsBirds

What to do right now

  1. 1.Note the type of chocolate, the estimated amount and the time it was eaten
  2. 2.Keep the packaging to show the vet
  3. 3.Phone your veterinary practice or a poison line straight away
  4. 4.Do not attempt to make the animal vomit unless a vet instructs you to

Symptoms

  • Vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Restlessness and pacing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Muscle tremors
  • Seizures

Details

Category
Food
Toxicity
Severe
Species affected
Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Birds
Routes of exposure
Eaten, including wrappers and baking ingredients
Urgency
Contact a vet immediately, even before signs appear. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.

Veterinary treatment

Theobromine and caffeine are the toxic components. Treatment may include decontamination, activated charcoal, intravenous fluids and cardiac monitoring.

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