Celeb Pawrents: Actor Romeo Tan had a big scare when his dog ate chocolate by accident

SINGAPORE –When Romeo Tan came home from work one night and saw chocolate wrappers on the floor, his heart sank. 

He knew immediately that his pet dog Tigger had eaten the chocolates, as the female miniature schnauzer had the habit of sneaking around and stealing snacks.

The local actor rushed Tigger, who looked unwell, to a 24-hour emergency animal hospital, where the vet induced vomiting to flush out the toxins. 

“Tigger had to be hospitalised for two days. Thankfully, she pulled through and recovered well. She gave me a big scare,” says Tan, 40.

Although that incident occurred in 2015, it was an experience that Tan will never forget. He had then just returned from Melbourne, Australia, after filming The Dream Makers 2. 

“I had bought chocolates as gifts. They were nicely wrapped, so I didn’t think Tigger would touch them,” he says.

According to the Royal Veterinary College in London, chocolate is harmful to dogs because it contains the toxic compounds theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot metabolise properly. The severity of the poisoning depends on the type of chocolate, the amount ingested and the dog’s body weight, with darker chocolate being more dangerous.

Growing up, Tan had always wanted a pet, but his mother never agreed to having animals at home. 

It was not until April 2013 that he brought home a puppy, which he had bought from a pet shop, much to his mother’s surprise. 

“I still remember how I brought Tigger home. I had put her in a box and handed it to my mother before running off for the Star Awards full-dress rehearsal,” Tan says. 

That was the only way his mother could not say no, although he had to “endure her lectures for weeks after that”.

“She’s now completely in love with Tigger,” he adds.

The popular Channel 8 leading man decided on the name Tigger even before he had a dog. “I’ve always found the tiger character Tigger, from Winnie-the-Pooh cartoons, cute and full of personality,” he says. 

He adds: “I initially wanted a male dog, but when I saw a pair of mini schnauzers, a brother and sister, at the shop, I couldn’t take my eyes off the female puppy. She looked so calm, pretty and graceful, while her brother was bouncing around, trying to get my attention.”

Tan most recently played the murderous villain Zhang Jin Quan in Mediacorp’s blockbuster drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story (2025). He reunites with his co-stars Jesseca Liu, Hsiu Chieh-kai, Tasha Low, Zhang Zetong and Chantalle Ng for Our Hillside Moments, which airs on Channel 8 on Mondays at 8pm. It is also available on mewatch.

The eight-part variety series follows the actors as they explore hidden mountain trails and durian plantations in Taiwan and Malaysia, while experiencing local cultures and cuisines.

The bachelor, who lives with Tigger in his apartment at Marina One Residences, says his retired parents look after the 12-year-old pooch when he is away for work trips.

“Filming Emerald Hill (in Malaysia) and then Our Hillside Moments kept me away from home for about three months,” says Tan. “It was tough being away that long, especially as Tigger is so used to having me around.”

More than just a pet

Describing Tigger as gentle by nature and a homebody, Tan says she can be an attention seeker, especially when he is around other dogs. “She knows how to sit, squat, shake hands and lie flat, and whenever I give her a treat, she gets so excited that she’ll do all the tricks in one go. It’s quite funny to watch,” says Tan. 

Tigger is a dear family member, who provides Tan a sense of comfort and calm. He says: “No matter how my day goes, she’s always there to greet me with excitement and warmth. Her presence alone makes the house feel alive and, somehow, she just knows when I need a bit of quiet company.”

He adds that Tigger can sense his moods and, when he is feeling down or upset, the dog will sit quietly beside him. “She will just look at me, as if she’s saying, ‘Everything will be okay.’ It’s those moments that show how sensitive and loving she is.”

He adds: “Tigger means a lot to me. She’s not just a pet, but part of the family. No matter how busy or tired I am, coming home to her always makes me feel calm and happy.”