🍫 Your Pet Ate Some Easter Chocolate 🍫

Wednesday / April 10th / 2024

Good morning! Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the first-ever edition of Bark Byte, a newsletter that will become your Go-To Guide for Happy, Healthy Pets.

🍫 So Your Dog Ate Some Easter Chocolate 🍫

Easter might be in the rearview, but you're still probably navigating through a chocolate minefield. While we (humans) relish in its abundance, it's very important to remember that our furry friends aren't built for a chocolate binge.

🚨 Why Can’t Dogs Eat Chocolate 🚨

Welp, chocolate is packed with substances called methylxanthines (specifically, caffeine and theobromine) that are relatively harmless to humans but potentially lethal to our pooches. Dogs process these compounds much slower, leading to a dangerous buildup in their system.

The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the risk. That means a small piece of dark chocolate can be as harmful to a 50-pound dog as a larger portion of milk chocolate.

(A good tool to have on hand is this dog chocolate toxicity calculator)

🍽 What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate 🍽

First, don't panic, but act swiftly.

1. Assess the situation: Determine how much and what type of chocolate your dog consumed. Even if your dog seems fine, it's essential to call your vet or an emergency pet hotline immediately, as symptoms can be delayed.

2. Look for symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, an increased heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures. These signs might not appear immediately but can develop over time. Therefore, keeping a vigilant eye on your pet after chocolate consumption is super important.

3. Prevention: You have to make sure that chocolates and other sweets are out of reach from your pets to prevent accidental ingestion. Remember, our pets rely on us to make health-conscious decisions.

While Easter is a time of joy and sweets, let's ensure it's safe for everyone in the family, including our fur balls. We can ensure our pets stay healthy and happy by keeping chocolates tucked away and opting for pet-friendly treats.

❤️ Weekly Dose Of Hope ❤️

Today’s daily dose of hope is a story about Jake, a stray dog that dodged rescue attempts for weeks. Then, out of the blue, he showed up at his rescuer's house and walked right in, ready for a new start.

Thanks for reading today’s Newsletter! Please reply to this email and send us an image your furry friend for the chance to have your pet shared with our community in next weeks newsletter!

Have a great rest of your week! 🙂