Dog owners’ nightmare: death by chocolate

By: Brad Swarner
Avoid chocolate poisoning over the Christmas period

Chocolate ornaments dangling on a Christmas tree are a naughty lure to humans but for any nosy pooch it could be a fatal temptation. Large quantities can bring on epileptic seizures and in the worst cases death.

The chemicals theobromine and caffeine that are found in chocolate can have a dangerous affect on our pets’ digestive system. While humans have the metabolism to cope with the chemicals all animals, especially dogs, do not. You can spot the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in your dog; hyperactivity, agitation, breathlessness, vomiting, diarrhoea and increased urination.

There are higher levels of Theobromine in dark and more posh chocolates and even a small amount can be harmful, especially for smaller dogs like Yorkshire terriers.

Katy Horton, Vet at Vet’s on White Hart Lane comments, "Pet owners often forget the hazardous aspects of the festive season. Dangers include chocolate decorations and edible presents wrapped under the tree. Avoid overfeeding your pet at Christmas, especially Christmas day leftovers, it is detrimental to their digestive system. Sharp fish and poultry bones can block your dog’s throat. In the past we’ve treated pets for chocolate poisoning; there are always more cases of this over Christmas and Easter.

"If you know your dog has eaten chocolates don’t wait for the symptoms to develop. Take them to the vet immediately where they can be treated."

A spokesperson from the Veterinary Poisons Information service commented, "In 2006 the VPIS (a service based within Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust) in London received 790 telephone enquiries concerning chocolate (theobromine) poisoning in dogs, and was the most common enquiry received by the VPIS. This year alone we have already received over 844 enquiries, and expect an increase in call load over the next few weeks."

Allan Burns, head of Tesco Pet Insurance says, "Avoid unnecessary expense and stress over Christmas by staying away from the vets; make sure you take special precautions with keeping chocolate away from your pets. Every year around Christmas time, Tesco pet insurance customers claim for treatments for their dogs who’ve overdosed on chocolate. Having your pet insured, helps you to keep the vet costs low."


*Graph provided by VPIS- number of cases of Theobromine poisoning in 2006

Notes to Editors:
• Premiums start from a few pounds a month
• Discounts are taken off the risk based premium
• Discounts are for customers in their first year only
• FREE 12 month Pet Protect membership with Missing Pets Bureau
• Tesco Pet Insurance is the second largest pet insurer in the UK
• Tesco Pet Insurance is underwritten and provided by UK Insurance Limited.
• Tesco Personal Finance, the financial services arm of the UK's number one supermarket chain, was launched in July 1997 and offers a combination of Internet, supermarket and telephone banking. Tesco Personal Finance now has over 5 million customer accounts and provides a range of low cost, value for money financial services. It is a joint venture between The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and Tesco PLC. Tesco Personal Finance Limited. Registered in Scotland No 173199 Registered Office 24 St Andrew Square Edinburgh.


For further information, please contact:
Matthew Dransfield
Tesco Personal Finance
Tel: 0131 523 9001
Nicola McGowan
Tesco Personal Finance
Tel: 0131 523 5533
Alex Godwin-Brown
Haggie Hepburn
Tel: 0207 334 7777

To apply or for more information on Pet Insurance , log on to www.tescofinance.com. To buy over the phone call 0845 246 38 38.

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