Data from Kennel Club Pet Insurance, provided by Agria, shows nearly a third of chocolate toxicity claims occurred between December 2023 and January 2024.
January alone saw claims more than double the monthly average, highlighting the risks posed by leftover festive treats.
Dangers of chocolate for dogs
Eating chocolate can have severe consequences for dogs, ranging from stomach upset to seizures.
Symptoms can appear within 4-24 hours. He emphasised the need for vigilance, especially as dogs can easily sniff out wrapped chocolate under Christmas trees.
Other festive foods such as mince pies, Christmas pudding and stollen, especially those containing toxic ingredients like raisins, are also dangerous.
Christmas hazards
Other dangers to watch out for include bones from cooked meats, which can splinter, and various festive decorations and plants like poinsettia and holly, which may injure your dog or cause them to become ill if ingested.
The Kennel Club advises keeping all potentially harmful items out of dogs’ reach and maintaining their regular routine to reduce seasonal stress.
If you suspect your dog has consumed anything harmful, you should contact your vet immediately.
