CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – When it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day with generous distribution of chocolate this coming weekend, one of the nation’s leading pet insurers urges making sure pets don’t get into what’s goodies to humans, but not to them.

Trupanion in a survey counted 11 pets treated in Virginia for chocolate toxicity-related illnesses around Valentine’s Day since 2020.

Nationwide that number is 650.

These numbers are those treated by veterinarians, not including those who’ve gotten sick and haven’t gone to the vet.

According to a Trupanion blog, “Cats and dogs are both at risk of chocolate poisoning. However, there are more reported cases of dogs being affected since dogs typically eat just about anything.”

“When it comes to chocolate and pets, smaller pets face a much greater risk of chocolate toxicity than large breed dogs because it only takes a small amount of chocolate to negatively affect them. While 3 ounces of milk chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea in a 9 kg dog, it takes nearly four times that to cause the same effects in a 36 kg dog.”

Common symptoms of chocolate-toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, increased heartbeat and restlessness.

“Chocolate and cocoa contain caffeine and a naturally occurring stimulant called theobromine which are both toxic to dogs and cats. Even types of chocolate with lower levels of these components still contain sugar and milk fat, which also should not be incorporated into dog and cat diets,” according to Trupanion.

A pet with suspected chocolate toxicity should be taken immediately to a vet, who may induce vomiting and may use active charcoal to prevent further bloodstream absorption.