Deadly Dark Chocolate Contributes to 100,000 Cases of Pet Poisoning in the U.S.

NEW YORK, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• What's deadly on your Dinner Plate?
• Can a little table-side reward really hurt your dog?

Embrace Pet Insurance has opened up their database to reveal the human foods that poison the most pets the company insures, ahead of Poison Prevention Week.  Chocolate tops the list of food accident claims received by the Embrace Pet Insurance, followed by raisins and mushrooms.

Last year, there were more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the U.S.  Many of these were caused by substances commonly contained in the home. Poison Prevention Week covers all forms of poisoning, and Embrace is keen to ensure part of the spotlight is focused on pets.  

Laura Bennett  CEO & Co-Founder of Embrace says: "Raising awareness of everyday hazards in your own pantry can help prevent undue distress to the nation's pets."

The top 20 items from Embrace's claims in order of frequency were:

1. Chocolate
2. Raisins
3. Mushroom
4. Xylitol (sweetener)
5. Grapes
6. Vitamins
7. Gum
8. Bones
9. Chicken
10. Macadamia Nuts
11. Sugar
12. Bread
13. Cake
14. Coffee
15. Corn Cobs
16. Dough
17. Meat
18. Rawhide
19. Salmon
20.  Avocado 

Pet poisoning symptoms can include gastrointestinal and neurological problems, cardiac and respiratory distress, coma, and even death.  Symptoms depend on the item and quantity ingested or inhaled, and the physiological response of each animal can vary.

Laura went on to say:
"If you do want to give your pet a treat, most dogs are fine eating lean cuts of meat as long as they have been properly cooked and thoroughly cooled. You can further decrease the opportunity of food related problems by removing all visible fat -- including the skin on poultry and ensuring that there are no bones in meat before you give it to your dog. "

"It's a smart idea to always keep the number of your local vet and the closest emergency clinic close by so you know you can find it in a hurry. If you think your pet has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help at once."

 Notes to Editors

About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance Agency LLC is a specialist insurance agency.. Embrace was founded by Laura Bennett and Alex Krooglik, pet parents who also happen to be insurance experts, and offers self-serve, customizable pet health insurance for dogs, cats and goldfish. The Embrace culture is based on the core values of innovation and not taking oneself too seriously.

Embrace is a member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of quality pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary community. As an association, it is committed to high standards and transparency in all of our actions and products. To learn more, visit http://www.naphia.org.

For more facts and statistics on the US Pet Insurance Industry visit: http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/about-us/press/pet-insurance-statistics.aspx

SOURCE Embrace Pet Insurance