TOO much chocolate might just give you a bellyache this Easter, but even a small amount is toxic – and can be fatal – for your four-legged friend.

While many of us will be tucking into our chocolate of choice over the coming weeks, vets are warning the sweet treat’s key ingredient – cocoa - contains the compound theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and other pets at certain doses.

RSPCA Victoria Chief Veterinarian, Rupert Baker said chocolate poisoning was a problem that occurred mainly in dogs, but also occurred occasionally in cats or other animals.

“It is important not to give your pets any chocolate and to ensure they cannot accidentally access any of your chocolate supplies, especially over Easter!” Dr Baker said.

He said the concentration of toxic theobromine in each product varied, depending on the type of chocolate.

For example, cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark chocolate contain higher levels of theobromine compared to milk chocolate.

“The overall effect of chocolate ingestion on the dog depends on the size of the dog, the amount of chocolate eaten and the type of chocolate eaten,” Dr Baker said.

Symptoms of chocolate ingestion may include restlessness, excitement, hyperactivity, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased drinking and increased urination, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and possibly death.

“If your dog or pet has ingested chocolate (even a small amount) you should contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible for advice,” said Dr Baker.

Vets can usually treat chocolate poisoning by inducing vomiting and with supportive therapy, but it is important to seek veterinary attention quickly.

Luckily, dog owner Sonia Baker heeded this advice after her dog, Rocket, ate some chocolate:

“Mum and I love dark chocolate,” Ms Baker said.

“We left three unopened packets of 78 per cent dark chocolate on our dining table.

“Rocket snuck into the room and pulled them off the table without us noticing.

“She opened the packets and ate two and a half blocks of the dark chocolate before we realised what had happened.

“I knew that chocolate is toxic to dogs and so we had to act quickly.”

The Bakers rushed their beloved pupper to their vet, who immediately induced Rocket to start vomiting before she could digest the chocolate properly.

“The vets said we were really lucky to have caught it so quickly, as any longer could have caused Rocket some significant health problems,” Ms Baker said.

“They said the first hour-and-a-half was critical to act.

“We are now so cautious with chocolate, always making sure to store it on the highest shelves of our pantry so Rocket can’t get her paws on it.

“It was a scary reminder of how careful we need to be around our dogs.

“There’s a lot of chocolate around Easter time so we know we need to be super vigilant this month.”