Think before feeding your pet chocolate, because this sweetness can kill your pet.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s veterinary advisor, Dr Guy Fyvie says chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that is toxic to animals.
Dogs process theobromine slower than humans, so it can easily build up to toxic levels.
Fyvie says many ‘treats’ containing xylitol, garlic, grapes and raisins that are potentially toxic for your pet’s health.
Hard sweets and sugar can damage the animal’s teeth and excess calories in any form will be fattening to the animal.
Give your pet healthier options, such as popcorn, apples, carrot sticks or rice cakes.
If your pet is a healthy weight the edible treats can be included as part of their daily food, but not in addition to their normal ration.
Fyvie recommends that not more than 10% of your pet’s nutrition should come from treats and the rest should come from a balanced pet food.
He also suggested that toys can be more fun than food to a pet because it encourages active play.
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