Corgi Proves Why You Should Keep Halloween Candy Away from Your Pets

Around Halloween, pet parents are reminded to keep treats safely stashed away after a mischievous pup, Loki the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, recently had a close call with chocolate. On September 28, with a little help from his canine sibling Carson, Loki managed to gobble down 15 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups before his humans caught on.

Recognizing the potential danger, Loki’s humans quickly took him to Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Florida, part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare network. Chocolate is known to be toxic to dogs, primarily due to a compound called theobromine found in cacao beans, which dogs can’t metabolize effectively. Emergency veterinarian Mayra Apolo explained, “Milk chocolate has a lower concentration of theobromine, and dark chocolate has a higher concentration…making darker chocolate more toxic.”

Bakers’ chocolate and dark varieties have the highest theobromine levels, which can cause serious symptoms, including tremors, seizures, or even death in severe cases. Luckily for Loki, the candy he ate was mostly white chocolate—the least harmful kind. However, even white chocolate isn’t safe, as chocolate can still lead to pancreatitis or worsen pre-existing conditions in dogs.

The veterinary team promptly induced vomiting to clear the chocolates and wrappers from Loki’s system. He made a full recovery, but the incident serves as an important reminder about the risks Halloween treats can pose to pets. Apolo also warns that sugar-free candy, often containing xylitol, can be especially harmful, leading to more severe conditions.

Pet parents should be vigilant with holiday treats, storing them well out of pets’ reach. “Dogs have an amazing sense of smell; they will find any hidden chocolate treasure,” Apolo advises. She recommends keeping Halloween candy in high cabinets and contacting a veterinarian or a pet poison hotline if a pet accidentally ingests chocolate. The quicker the response, the better the chances of avoiding serious complications.

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