I have written a number of hubs about chocolate - all aimed at human consumers of the same. I am also a dog lover and dog owner and I think that it would be irresponsible of me to wax lyrical about the joys of chocolate without saying something about the dangers it poses to our pets.

I write this Hub as Easter approches - there will be more chocolate about and we all know what opportunists dogs and cats can be !

This topic has been well coverd elsewhere on Hub Pages and I have added all the links below.

Don't be tempted by the Little Cuties Silently Begging ....

From time to time many people give their dogs and cats a small square of chocolate as a harmless treat.

Chocolate is not a harmless treat - it is poisonous to both cats and dogs.

Chocolate contains an alkaloid, theobromine - this is toxic for our pets. Dark chocolate is richer in theobromine than milk chocolate or cocoa powder.

The brachycephalic (short headed) breeds are more susceptible to chocolate poisoning. That includes French and English bulldogs, boxers and pugs and Persian and Himalayan cats. This elevated susceptibility is probably because of their predisposition to heart and respiratory problems. Two hundred grams of dark chocolate can kill animals of this size.

The incidence of dog poisoning by chocolate is higher during the Christmas and Easter festivities.

The first signs often appear a few hours after ingestion.

Gastro-Intestinal symptoms:

Theobromine causes irritation of the stomach with an increase in the secretion of gastric juices. The animal who has eaten chocolate may present digestive problems like vomiting or diarrhea. In the long term there will be increased gastric secretions which can cause a stomach ulcer.

If the dog or cat consumes a large amount of chocolate, the theobromine will pass into the blood and heart and nervous signs will appear.

Nervous symptoms:

The animal is nervous, agitated and it may experience tremors. In severe cases, dogs can have seizures and then sink into a coma and die.

Cardiac symptoms:

Theobromine causes disturbances in the heart rhythm. The animal may present with a rapid heartbeat (or tachycardia) or abnormal contractions of the heart called extra-systole.

Other symptoms:

Often breathing is affected – it becomes more rapid and the animal may be gasping.

Theobromine also has a diuretic action. As a result, the animal drinks more and passes more urine.

In acute poisoning by ingestion of a large quantity of chocolate, death can occur within 6 to 24 hours.

In cases of chronic intoxication by chocolate the dog or cat may suffer progressive heart failure over several days.

There is no antidote for theobromine but the veterinarian can develop a symptomatic treatment. If your pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate take it to the vet immediately. The time lapse between ingestion, presentation for medical care and the speed of the implementation of treatment will affect the prognosis.

If your pet has been eating chocolate over the course of several days, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian even if there are no signs of distress or illness. The vet will conduct a cardiac examination to determine whether or not there are any associated heart problems.

The standard treatment is an attempt to limit the intestinal absorption of theobromine.

Which is why you should take your pet to the vet as soon as you know or suspect that it has eaten some chocolate.

If the first signs of a nervous response are evident your veterinarian may use drugs to reduce the seizures.

Theobromine is not easily eliminated by canine or feline systems and prolonged monitoring by the veterinarian may be necessary.

During festive seasons be especially vigilant. Your dog or cat should not have access to chocolate decorations or to boxes of chocolate inadvertently forgotten in a corner or laying around for your guests to enjoy.

You must also tell your guests and children not to give chocolate to the pets – however appealingly they may beg (the pets, that is, not the children or guests!)

If several people give each the equivalent of a square of dark chocolate to your pet it is likely to be sick. It could die.