Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
With Easter approaching, the Belgium Poison Control Center has warned of the dangers of dogs eating chocolate. The center received 416 calls last year from dog owners, a 50 percent increase in four years. "In April, we always see the number of calls peak," he said.

According to the Belgian news agency, although dogs love to eat chocolate, the compound theobromine found in cocoa is more harmful to them than to humans. A few hours after ingestion, it affects the central nervous system and the heart, causing symptoms such as drooling, trembling, balance problems, and a racing heart. In very severe cases, it can cause convulsions, coma, or fatal arrhythmias.

The severity of the reaction depends on the dog's weight and the amount and type of chocolate he ate. "The darker the chocolate, the more harmful it is, and even a few tens of grams can cause serious poisoning," said the center. Since the "Corona" epidemic, more people have become owners of pets, which is reflected in the increase in calls to the center. And in 2022, 6,631 owners called the center, up from 4,511 in 2019. Most of those calls were about dogs.