Dangers for our Pets at Easter
Easter is a time when many of us will spend quality time with family and pets and hopefully some warm weather. There will be many hazards around the home and garden for our pets.
To help prevent an emergency visit to the vets here's a few things that your pets need to stay away from.
Chocolate
Many households will have an abundance of chocolate in the house over the Easter period but like many dog owners know this can be a source of danger for your dog.
Chocolate contains the chemical , Theobromine which is extremely toxic to dogs and other animals. The purer or darker chocolate the more dangerous it is.
Symptoms of Theobromine poisoning include muscle stiffness, tremors, vomiting, heart arrhythmias and fitting with symptoms appearing between 4 – 24 hours to appear.
Sweets
Be very careful with sweets as some of these contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetner, which is extremely toxic to our pets. If your dog manages to grab some sweets, watch out for symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, lack of coordination and seizures. If you spot of any these contact your vet asap.
Bulbs
As our bulbs in our garden start to flower there is a risk that dogs can eat the bulbs.
Daffodils, including the bulb and flower, can cause vomiting, lethargy and even fits. If you have a vase of flowers in your house don’t let pets drink the water they are sitting in.
Every part of Lilies are extremely poisonous to cats including the water they are in. Lilies cause kidney failure, with symptoms including dehydration, extreme thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures.
Tulips can irritate your dog’s mouth and intestines. If eaten your dog may show signs of drooling, diarrhoea and vomiting. Severe symptoms include breathing difficulties and heart problems.
Spring crocus flower every spring and whilst low risk to our pets can cause a mild stomach upset if eaten
Hot Cross Buns & Simnel Cake
Who doesn’t love a Hot Cross Bun at Easter, maybe smothered in butter. But please don’t share this with your dog as the raisins and other dried fruit may cause kidney failure to both cats and dogs.
Immediately after eating dried fruit or grapes dogs generally show no clinical signs at all. Kidney failure causes increased thirst and urination with symptoms being seen weeks later.
Salty or fatty foods
Many of us enjoy a Roast Dinner with the family over Easter. There are some elements of the meal that we can share with our dogs but try to avoid giving them scraps of fat off our meat or food that has added salt.
The salt or fat can cause problems such as bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration and in more severe cases pancreatitis.
Finally …
If you are unsure that your pet has eaten something and you are worried always contact your vet immediately.
Enjoy the Easter Weekend with your pets and we hope that you have a great (and safe) time! Please do share photos if your pets enjoying the Easter weekend – head over to our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page to share them.
