Easter Danger for Dogs & Cats

Springtime brings (hopefully) more sunshine, beautiful flowers and of course as Easter approaches, the promise of chocolate.

To avoid a poorly pet and an expensive vet bill, it is worth being aware of the dangers of this sweet season.

1) Deadly Chocolate

It is well known that chocolate can be highly toxic to our furry friends.

Chocolate contains two compounds which are dangerous: Theobromine and Caffeine. Our pets cannot digest these properly, which means they build up to toxic levels in their system.

Ingestion of chocolate can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and even increased heart rate.

While many will understand the dangers of chocolate, what some owners will underestimate, is the lengths that some dogs will go to scoff it down.

Our canine companions are clever so being extra cautious around Easter is wise:

• Keep chocolate in sealed containers and high cupboards!
• Invest in cupboard locks- after all our dogs are essentially big toddlers!
• Put chocolate wrappers in the outside bin- to avoid your dog digging into your kitchen waste!

2) Hot Cross Buns

A tried and tested traditional easter treat, and what a variety we have now!

As delicious as these might be, they are (you guessed it!) potentially toxic to our pets.

Specifically, it is the raisins, sultanas and currants which can pose a problem. So, while you are safely enjoying your buns, why not offer your dog or cat a more appropriate but still delicious treat?

Explore our natural dog treats

Explore our natural cat treats

3) Spring Bulbs

Our gardens and green spaces explode with colour and activity during the Spring. These are some of the key plants, flowers and bulbs which can be problematic for our pets:

• Azalea
• Crocuses
• Daffodil
• Geranium
• Hyacinth
• Iris
• Gladioli
• Tulip

It is worth being aware of the dangers across all seasons, for more support read our Comprehensive Guide to Poisonous Plants.

4) Risk of Hay Fever

Much like us, our poor pets can suffer from hay fever.

Depending on the type of pollen they are allergic to, symptoms can start from around March. Our furry friends will typically suffer with the same discomfort, with skin irritation being the most common symptom.

These are some of the other signs to look out for:

• Irritation around the paws, armpits, groin, legs, ears, eyes and mouth.
• Frequent sneezing
• Red itchy eyes
• Rashes on their body, particularly face and paws.

Read our Dog Hay Fever Guide and our Cat Hay Fever Guide for more information.

5) Parasites

It might seem like parasites have been away across the winter, but they have always been there….

Ectoparasites like fleas and ticks can infect our pets and homes all year round. However, there may be an increased number of them during Spring and Autumn.

The best way to keep your furry friend protected is to ensure you are regularly using parasite products.

Discover our Flea and Worm products.

Want more information about pesky parasites? Read Guide to Fleas and our Guide to Ticks.

For more help choosing a parasite product; explore our Guide to Understanding Flea Treatments.

My Pet Has Eaten Something Toxic: What Should I Do?

If you do suspect your dog or cat has eaten something potentially toxic, the first step is to not panic.

Call your vet ASAP and give them as many details as possible. What the toxin was, how much was eaten, how long ago and if there have been any symptoms e.g. vomiting.

Your vet will be able to determine the next best course of action, whether that be monitoring or bringing them in for a check-up.

I hope you and your furry friends have a happy and safe Easter.

For more Springtime advice, read our Guide to Keeping Safe on Spring Time Walks.