When dogs ingest chocolate, the large amount of fat can cause pancreatitis, resulting in vomiting, diarrhoea and pain in their abdomen. This scenario can be serious or even deadly, due to severe metabolic changes. Chocolate also contains a lot of sugar which can also cause stomach upsets. However, it is the combination of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate that results in the common clinical signs seen in dogs after they have gorged themselves. These signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, panting, tremors, seizures, high heart rates, abnormal heart rhythm, coma and possibly death.

PetSure data 2013-18

Despite the increased awareness among pet owners, PetSure still sees a number of chocolate poisoning cases each year, particularly around the festive periods of Christmas and Easter, when the rate of chocolate toxicity climbs more than 200%.

In 2019 alone, PetSure data shows more than 1,850 cases of chocolate toxicity, resulting in almost $675,000 in vet expenses.

While chocolate is toxic for cats, they tend to be less curious than dogs and not eat chocolate on their own, so there are significantly fewer incidents.

Pet insurance can help by covering a portion of the eligible vet bill if the unexpected happens. Because it is difficult to predict the costs of veterinary care, it can help to have measures in place to help prepare for the unexpected. Check out our partner network and explore our policy tools to find a pet insurance policy.

Not all conditions or items are covered by Pet Insurance. Refer to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement for information about coverage and exclusions.

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