Pet insurer reveals Christmas surge in chocolate poisoning
December and January saw 31 per cent of chocolate posioning claims for the past year.
New data has revealed the large rise in insurance claims linked to chocolate poisoning seen over the holiday season and into the new year.
Statistics from Kennel Club Pet Insurance, which is provided by Agria, showed that almost a third of all claims for chocolate poisoning in the past year were made between December 2023 and January 2024.
January was the highest month for cases overall, with the number of claims more than double the monthly average. The Kennel Club believes this could indicate that dogs are getting access to leftover chocolates during the post-Christmas period.
Dog owners are urged to keep any chocolates, including advent calendars and edible tree decorations, away from their dogs, as well as other Christmas foods that can be toxic, such as Christmas cakes, mince pies and Christmas puddings that contain raisins, currants, or sultanas.
To help prevent pets becoming overwhelmed by the Christmas period, The Kennel Club is also advising owners to try to stick to their dog's usual routine of walks and meal times and make sure they can retreat to their bed when they want to.
Bill Lambert, health, welfare and breeder services executive at The Kennel Club said: “Christmas is such an exciting time for the family, and while we want to make sure our canine companions are also having fun, it’s important to be aware of how overwhelming it can be for them, with unfamiliar sights and sounds, as well as, of course, tempting treats.
“These statistics show that, while Christmas may be over in January, there can often be a lot of leftovers lying around so it’s vital that owners continue to keep a watchful eye on their pets throughout Christmas and into the new year.”
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Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
