Pet owners urged to watch out for choc-horror this Easter

GoCompare Pet Insurance is urging all UK cat and dog owners to be aware this Easter when it comes to chocolate and the danger it poses to their furry pals.

The warning comes in response to the results of a survey conducted by the comparison site, which found that just 68% of dog owners knew that chocolates were dangerous to pets, meaning that potentially a number of owners could be putting their pooch at risk this Easter with chocolatey treats.

Ceri McMillan, Pet Expert at GoCompare said: "Chocolate is a big part of Easter – with an estimated 80 million Easter eggs sold each year in the UK – and we don't suggest for one minute that you shouldn't indulge in chocolate over the Easter weekend, but it's important to take steps to protect your pup or feline friend if there's an abundance of chocolate in the house.

"Chocolate is highly toxic and dangerous to dogs and cats, so to avoid them getting unwell don't be tempted to share or leave it within in easy reach of hungry paws. It was worrying to see that only 68% of dog owners knew that chocolate could be poisonous for their pet, meaning that there's potentially a third of pet owners who own around 4million dogs, who could unwittingly feed their dogs chocolate this Easter."

The age group that was least likely to know that chocolates were dangerous were those aged 25-34, with just 45% knowing that chocolate was dangerous for pets.

London pet owners were also the least likely out of all the regions to know that chocolate is toxic, with just over half of those living the capital claiming that they knew the perils of chocolate.

Why is chocolate dangerous?

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which can be toxic for both cats and dogs. Their digestive systems cannot break it down and the effects of chocolate poisoning can depend on the amount and type of chocolate eaten, as well as the size and breed of the pet.

The signs that your cat or dog could have eaten chocolate include vomiting, which can sometimes include blood or breathing heavily and rapidly.

They could also be suffering from an increased heart rate, showing signs of restlessness, or have diarrhoea. It should be noted that these symptoms can occur any time from four to 24 hours after consumption.

Ceri added: "If you think your dog or cat might have eaten chocolate, you need to contact your vet immediately and not wait for the symptoms to start. But if you don't want them to miss out on the fun this Easter, they could have an alternative such as Carob "chocolate" or pet specific chocolate products, which is safe for them to try out."

GoCompare has compiled a guide to the pet perils that could be hiding in plain sight https://www.gocompare.com/pet-insurance/household-dangers-for-your-pets/