Warning to dog owners – chocolate poisonings set to soar in January

Warning to dog owners – chocolate poisonings set to soar in January

New figures released by The Kennel Club reveal that as we kick back post-Christmas, we’re more likely to miss our dogs snaffling toxic foods

Published: December 21, 2024 at 6:34 am

Dog owners are being warned to remain diligent post-Christmas. New figures have revealed that poisoning cases soar in January as dogs hunt out toxic leftovers.

The statistics released by The Kennel Club show that January is the highest month overall, with incurance claims more than double the monthly average (an increase of 106%) for chocolate poisoning.

The data, collected by Kennel Club Pet Insurance, reveals that our canine companions are taking advantage of the post-Christmas lull to get their paws on dangerous leftover chocolates.

Dog stretching out a paw towards a selection box of chocolates
Keep chocolate boxes out of reach of furry friends. Getty Images

Robin Hargreaves, Senior Veterinary Advisor for Agria Pet Insurance, said: “The risk [from chocolate] will vary according to the amount and type consumed and the weight of your dog.

“Symptoms can vary, but include sickness, upset or painful stomach, as well as excessive drinking, dribbling and fast breathing, even seizures, and can appear any time between four – 24 hours later.

“Owners who think their pets have ingested any chocolate should contact their vet for advice immediately”

Don’t forget chocolate decorations or gifts under the tree – dogs can easily sniff these out. And make sure visitors do the same.

Festive foods deadly for your dog

As well as chocolate, there is a lot of festive food that is toxic to dogs. Here are top tips from The Kennel Club to help dog owners navigate Christmas safely:

Christmas dinner involves a large amount of dangerous foods for your dog, either through being toxic, too salty or too fatty.

Be wary of feeding them traditional turkey, goose and chicken as bones can easily splinter, particularly when cooked, causing an obstruction and possibly even piercing your dog’s tummy.

Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding all contain dried fruits such as raisins, currants or sultanas, which are toxic to dogs.

Baking mice pies as a mischievous dog stands up at the counter
Dogs may love the smell of mince pies, but dried fruits can be lethal for them. Getty Images

Other festive foods to avoid include: macadamia nuts, blue cheese, alcohol and mouldy foods.

If you think your dog may have eaten something that they shouldn’t, or have symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea, speak to your vet straight away.

Discover more advice for dog owners

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