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Valentine's Day is right around the corner and although
the day can bring feelings of nostalgia and love for humans,
it can mean real trouble for Fido. Many of us will
receive heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate covered
candies or bars of rich, dark chocolate which could be
deadly if consumed by your dog. Chocolate contains a
chemical called theobromine which, if eaten in large
enough quantities, can be toxic to dogs. Different types
of chocolate contain varying amounts of theobromine.
Dark chocolate baking squares have the highest
concentration of the chemical. A toxic dose for a large
breed dog can be as little as 3.5 ounces of dark
chocolate whereas the same dog would have to eat almost
three pounds of milk chocolate to receive a lethal dose.
Unfortunately, many dogs like chocolate just as much as
we do.
If your dog consumes any amount of chocolate, you should
call your veterinarian right away. Signs of ingestion
can include diarrhea, vomiting, and pancreatitis.
So, it is ok to give your significant other a big box of
chocolate for Valentine's Day, but make sure to keep it
out of reach of the dog!
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