Pet owners risk poisoning four-legged friends with chocolate treats

Over 2.9 million pet owners (10 per cent) are unwittingly running the risk of poisoning their pooches and moggies by regularly feeding them chocolate, reveals research by Churchill Pet Insurance.

With households set to be filled with chocolate eggs this weekend, it can be all too tempting to offer a piece of chocolate to the family pet as a treat, but many pet owners do not appear to be aware that chocolate can be toxic to cats and dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, and is one of the most common causes of poisonings to occur in dogs in the UK.

Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Pet Insurance, said: "We want to raise awareness of the dangers of feeding chocolate to the family pet this Easter, as there is a danger that some doting owners could end up harming their pets without realising it.  We'd advise pet owners to keep their chocolate well out of the reach of hungry four-legged friends, and to be extremely cautious as even a small amount of chocolate could poison their pet."

Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of pet owners also tend to feed their pets with home-made human dinners, such as leftovers from the family meal, rather than pet food. However, many everyday ingredients can also prove to be poisonous to pets, as shown in the chart below:

Grapes and raisins
Can cause damage to kidneys and can be lethally toxic 

Green tomatoes
Can cause gastrointestinal upsets in cats     

Chicken bones
Though not toxic, chicken bones can get stuck in the roof of the mouth, throat and intestines, and should be avoided according to many veterinarians. Splinters of chicken bones can also become lodged internally    

Macadamia nuts
Can cause tremors and weakness in the hindquarters and can be toxic to dogs   

Onions
Can cause anaemia in dogs     

Claire Foster goes on to say: "Consult your veterinarian without delay if your pet appears distressed, listless or in pain after eating. However, treating pets that have eaten dangerous or poisonous food can be very costly, so make sure you have pet insurance in place to cover any unforeseen vet bills and to give you peace of mind in the event of your pet falling ill."