Chocolate and small pets
Each animal is checked separately. An answer for one species never stands in for another.
Also called: cocoa, choc, chocolate cake, chocolate biscuits, choclate
| Animal | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits | Toxic | Chocolate is toxic to rabbits. Merck lists it as do not feed, PDSA says it can be fatal to rabbits, and Pet Poison Helpline describes effects on the gut and heart. |
| Guinea pigs | Not verified | We haven't verified this for guinea pigs yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your guinea pig has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Hamsters | Not verified | We haven't verified this for hamsters yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your hamster has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Gerbils | Not verified | We haven't verified this for gerbils yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your gerbil has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Rats | Caution | Best avoided. The RSPCA lists chocolate as harmful to rats. Merck's professional manual says a very small amount does not poison them, so sources differ and we give the cautious answer. |
| Mice | Not verified | We haven't verified this for mice yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your mouse has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Ferrets | Not verified | We haven't verified this for ferrets yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your ferret has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |