Cases of chocolate toxicity are known to spike over Easter.

With Easter fast approaching, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on pet owners to make sure that chocolates and hot cross buns are kept out of the reach of pets.

The increased number of chocolate treats brought into homes over the Easter period often leads to a spike in cases of chocolate toxicity. Even a small amount of chocolate can be toxic for dogs, especially dark chocolate and cocoa powder.

Sixty per cent of vets had treated cases of chocolate poisoning during Easter, according to the BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession surveys from 2016-2018.

The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs usually appear within 12 hours and can persist for up to three days. The first signs include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea and restlessness. These symptoms can develop into hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, rapid breathing and hyperthermia. Severe cases can result in fits, heartbeat irregularities, comas, and in the most serious cases, death.

Raisins and sultanas, often found in hot cross buns and Simnel cakes, are also toxic to dogs and cats.

BVA senior vice-president Justine Shotton said: “Sweet treats and egg hunts are a fun part of Easter for many families but it’s vital we all take steps to protect our pets and avoid cutting the celebrations short with an emergency trip to the vets. Chocolate eggs and bunnies, and even hot cross buns, may seem harmless but can be life-threatening for some pets, especially dogs, who can get extremely sick even from small amounts.

“As a vet, I've treated many cases of chocolate ingestion over the holidays. Luckily, the vast majority of pets were brought in quickly meaning we could treat them successfully. I’d urge every owner to be aware of the risks of chocolate and raisin or grape poisoning so they can act promptly should the worst happen.”

Further information about what to do in the event of pet poisoning can be found in the free 'Pets and Poisons' leaflet from the Animal Welfare Foundation.