WARNING: Don’t feed your pets chocolate

WHILE death by chocolate is a term used to describe any delicious dessert that features chocolate, it has a more literal meaning for pets that ingest the tasty human treat.

The Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFI) warns pet owners against sharing this favourite treat with their pets, including cats as they are often overlooked when considering the forbidden pet foods list.

“Sugar and caffeine will always pose their own health risks for pets and humans alike, so it is not recommended to feed pets any substance that has these ingredients in them,” said the general manager for PFI, Dominique Kuhlmann.

“In the case of chocolate, it is theobromine that is the real concern. This natural stimulant is found in cocoa beans. It acts as a diuretic, cardiac and central nervous system stimulant and causes a loss of body fluid and increases the heart rate.

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“Humans are not affected in the same way because we have the required enzymes to metabolise theobromine efficiently, whereas pets do not. Theobromine will therefore build up to toxic levels in your pets, which sadly can have lethal effects,” she said.

There are various factors to consider that will contribute to the level of poisoning, such as the size of the animal, the type of chocolate consumed, dark chocolate being the worst, and the amount ingested. According to Kuhlmann, as little as 100mg of theobromine per kg of bodyweight is considered toxic.

If your pet has sneakily guzzled down some of your chocolate stash without you knowing here’s what you need to do:

1. Make contact with your vet for professional advice.

2. If symptoms of chocolate poisoning are noted, rush to the vet immediately – these include: extreme thirst and energy, diarrhoea and or vomiting and pacing, panting and shaking. This can lead to increased urination, tremors and seizures, a racing heart which may ultimately result in a heart attack.

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The information you should have ready for your vet:

1. The amount of chocolate that was eaten.

2. The type of chocolate ingested.

3. The amount of time that has passed since ingestion. A sample of your pet’s vomit may also be helpful.

“When looking for tasty treats for your pets, rather look for pet-appropriate treats or specially formulated pet chocolates that are suitable for pet consumption,” she concluded.

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