LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — With Valentine’s Day bringing an abundance of chocolate treats into homes, veterinarians are reminding pet owners to keep sweets out of reach of their furry friends.
Chocolate contains ingredients that can be toxic — and even deadly — to dogs when ingested. Different types of chocolate, including white, milk and semi-sweet varieties, contain varying levels of harmful components, making some more dangerous than others.
Additional ingredients commonly found in Valentine’s Day candies, such as raisins, nuts and creams, can also pose serious health risks to pets.
“Only takes a few raisins to potentially be toxic and cause kidney issues into animals. The other thing is sugar free chocolates, those can potentially be life threatening. Xylitol is a huge no no for dogs. It can cause hepatic hepatic issues and hypoglycemia. So make sure that it's not just plain milk chocolate. If you are ingesting other things within those components, they need to be definitely seen by our emergency clinic or your local veterinarian,” said Dr. Nathan Metz, a veterinarian at Metz Petz Veterinary Clinic of Shawnee.
Metz advises pet owners to seek immediate veterinary care if they suspect their dog has consumed chocolate or products containing xylitol or raisins.
For those wanting to give their pets a special Valentine’s treat, Metz recommends safer alternatives such as apple slices, blueberries or raw carrots.
