Scots pet owners are being warned about cocoa butter after a dog had a brush with death when she came into contact with the product.
Adorable pooch, Blondie, took a seizure after she was stroked by her owner, Sarah Brown.
Terrified Sarah later learned that her four-legged friend took a reaction to the cocoa butter she had previously applied to her hands.
Taking to social media, Sarah warned other pet owners of the potentially dangerous allergic reaction.
On Facebook she wrote: "WARNING DOG OWNERS, so we had a bit of a scare last night.
"Our Blondie had a terrible seizure and we thought were going to lose her
"After several blood tests this morning, it turns out she had a reaction to my hand cream through me petting her after applying it to my hands!
"Thankfully after some meds and treatment it looks like she's going to be ok."
She added: "The cream I used has cocoa in it which is toxic to dogs, however, I did not think for a second that this could happen just by stroking her.
"I feel absolutely awful but thankful that although she is very poorly she will recover
"Please take note and check your creams and lotions."
The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) said dog owners who regularly use hand creams like this should take extra precautions.
A PDSA spokesperson told the Record: “Most nonprescription hand creams are extremely unlikely to be harmful to pets, especially if small quantities are licked from your skin or accidentally get on to your pet’s fur.
“But, to be cautious, we would always recommend allowing your hands to dry after applying any products before stroking your pets.
"Owners should also keep products out of pets reach, as they could become unwell if they were to eat them.
“In addition, we would never recommend owners use human products on their pet without veterinary advice.”
