PET TALK: Halloween – and chocolate

My last article has some great pet owners’ questions and feedback about chocolate.  The last article was a bit formal and I wanted to have it a little more personably and still a learning experience.  

Debbie asked, “Is it really bad to feed a small amount of chocolate? LuLu seems to really enjoy it and it is just a tiny amount.”

Yes, my friend, it is bad. You are letting LuLu know and understand it is okay to eat chocolate. Our dogs do not understand on what is a safe amount.

They just understand on what it tastes like and “the go ahead” or “take it” means it is okay to eat. They are unable to distinguish the toxicity of chocolate.

In a dog’s mind, since chocolate is okay on a tiny amount, a larger amount would also be okay, therefore I will take.

It truly is not a good idea for any dog to even have a taste of chocolate. The normalizing of chocolate ingestion will likely lead to an emergency situation when you least expect it.

Many times, in ER pet parents stated to me: “I would have never thought”, “he knew better”, I only turned my back for...”.

Rather than giving chocolate that you both enjoy for your evening snack, try some peeled, raw bite – size carrots or apples. Stay away from grapes, grapefruit, avocados, and tomatoes.

My dog, Fern, loves to eat toast. I know she really likes butter on her toast so I grab my knife an act like I am spreading butter, without ever doing so. It is the act and excitement, not the butter itself.

Granted she gives me the side eye, but butter is too high in fat and salt for her. 

As much you made it game with the previous chocolate snack this is a time to have fun and enjoy the experience with a healthy choice.

Think of this as a bonding time. 

What is a tiny amount for you is not tiny amount for a dog.

There is a weight difference between you and your pet. That weight difference should always be taken in consideration when feeding your dog your favorite human food treat.

A spoonful for a 150-lb pound person is not the same for a 15-pound dog.

Remember, love is love. 

Food is not love. 

Our pets love us without the “special treat” and always make sure the treat is not toxic to them.

– Charlotte