Easter can be a fun time for the whole family, however it can be a very dangerous time for our beloved pets. There are a number of things related to Easter, and spring in general, that can cause serious health hazards for your pets if they are ingested. Here are 5 of the most common hazards to your pets at Easter time.
1. Chocolate
I think it is safe to assume that many of us look forward to Easter time because it gives us the first real excuse since Christmas to binge out on chocolate. For us humans, it is a delicious (although not all that healthy!) treat but, as I’m sure all you dog owners know, chocolate is highly toxic to our furry friends, and if ingested in big enough quantities can be life threatening, especially for smaller dogs.
Not only does chocolate have a high fat content, it also contains caffeine and theobromine which are both toxic to dogs. These are stimulants that affect the central nervous system, the heart, and the frequency of urination. The higher the chocolate content, i.e. how dark it is, the more poisonous it will be as it will contain higher levels of theobromine. Even white chocolate, which doesn’t contain any cocoa solids, and therefore low levels of theobromine, is particularly fatty because of its high milk content and presents a risk of pancreatitis in dogs.
Chocolate poisoning symptoms include: vomiting; diarrhoea; lack of appetite; hyperactivity; rapid heart rate; tremors; and seizures or fits. If you think your pet has eaten chocolate or is exhibiting any of these symptoms you should contact your vet immediately.
2. Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are often eaten as an Easter treat and commonly contain dried fruit, including currants, sultanas, and raisins which are all toxic to dogs. As well as grapes, these dried fruits can lead to severe kidney failure in some dogs. Kidney failure is totally debilitating and, if it doesn’t cause death, can be very expensive to treat, although it is still not known what it is in the fruits that actually causes it. Some dogs are susceptible to this toxicity and others are not, but it is really not worth taking the risk of losing your pet just to share a little bit of your hot cross bun with your dog.
3. Eggs
If you have kids, you might have fun with the common tradition of setting up an Easter Egg Hunt. You might choose to use chocolate eggs, which we have already covered, but you could opt for using hardboiled eggs instead. Although fresh hardboiled eggs are not dangerous to your pet they can spoil quickly, and if your pet finds an egg that was undiscovered during the hunt, it can cause them to be very sick. To avoid this potential risk, ensure to carefully count how many eggs you have hidden so you can make sure that all the eggs have been accounted for when the children have finished the egg hunt.
4. Easter Toys and Decorations
It is common to dress up your house with Easter and spring decorations to bring some festive cheer into your home. Things like tiny fluffy chick toys, plastic eggs, and little toy bunnies make a nice Easter display or look pretty in your kid's Easter baskets, but they also look like a tasty snack to your pets. These small toys are a potential choking hazard for cats and dogs so decorations and Easter baskets should be kept well out of reach.
5. Spring Bulbs
The final hazard isn’t just regarding Easter, but spring as well. There are so many beautiful flowers springing up everywhere, but you might not know that some of these spring flowers, and/or their bulbs are poisonous to dogs if eaten. One such very common flower is the daffodil. Both the bulb and flower of this plant is poisonous, and even the water from a vase containing daffodils is toxic to dogs. Daffodils can give your dog diarrhoea, vomiting, make them lethargic, and affect their balance, and they may even cause some dogs to have fits.
Another popular spring flower that is a hazard to your dog is the tulip. Tulips can cause irritation in your dog’s mouth and gut, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea, and more seriously, heart problems and respiratory issues.
Other plants your pets need to avoid:
azalea (potentially fatal)
bluebells (potentially fatal)
buttercups
cyclamen roots (potentially fatal)
elderberry
foxglove leaves and seeds (potentially fatal)
hyacinth bulbs
ivy
lupin leaves and seeds
onion (causes anaemia and is potentially fatal)
peach stones and leaves
rhododendron (potentially fatal)
rhubarb leaves (potentially fatal)
sweet-pea stems
wild cherry twigs and foliage
yew berries and foliage (potentially fatal)
If you have any of these plants in your garden, just make sure that you go out with your pet to ensure their safety.
Keep your pets safe this Easter by taking steps to reduce these hazards and you can have a carefree celebration with your family and furry friends.
If you suspect your pet has come into contact with one of these hazards or they have any one of the symptoms mentioned you should contact your vet right away.
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