With the change in weather that the Easter holidays and spring bring us in the UK, it’s easy to get excited about all the foods, flowers, and festivities. However, it’s also important to remember what sweet treats that are suitable for us, should not be given to our pets and animals as they have the potential to cause serious illness and even be fatal. Here is our advice on what foods and plants are toxic and dangerous for the health and safety of your pet.
1. Chocolate
It is very well known that chocolate is a very toxic substance for dogs but did you know that it’s actually toxic to most household pets including cats and rabbits? Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine and unfortunately, pets can’t digest this in the same way that we humans can.
At Easter time we are sure to see plenty of chocolate and other sweet treats around our homes but it is so important to make sure it is out of reach to our furry and four-legged friends. If a pet was to eat chocolate it could cause discomfort in the form of frequent urinating, sickness, and diarrhoea and even potentially be deadly.
2. Lilies
With the change of season to Spring, it is common to see flowers popping up across our gardens, green areas, and even into our homes. Lilies are a pretty choice that is associated with this time of year. Although beautiful, Lilies are known to be dangerous for cats. Cat owners should be wary of having these in their homes and gardens as even brushing up against them can lead to the cat ingesting the pollen when they lick themselves, causing kidney failure.
3. Easter food
It’s not only chocolate that can cause harm to our pets, other foods associated with Easter can cause serious damage too. Easter staples such as hot cross buns can be dangerous for both cats and dogs. Fruits such as grapes, sultanas, raisins and currants are also toxic and should be kept out of reach of your pets.
It’s important to remember food made for humans should not be used as a ‘treat’ for your dog or cat. Bread and cakes are quite often filled with fruits which when eaten by a pet can cause them to experience kidney failure which could be fatal.
4. Easter Egg Hunt
No Easter weekend is complete without the annual ‘Easter Egg Hunt’. Although fun and games for you and your loved ones, they can be deadly to our pets. When planning a fun Easter egg hunt for your family, please keep in mind to remember where you have hidden the eggs. Whether they are real eggs, chocolate eggs, or fake plastic eggs, if found by your pet this could be hazardous. Swallowing any of these could cause your pet to have stomach upsets that could lead to an intestinal blockage.
Although the above advice will help to prevent harm to your pet, accidents can still happen. If you suspect that your pet has consumed anything included in our blog or anything else you fear could be harmful it’s essential to speak to a vet straight away.
5. Basket Grass
It’s common to want to decorate your home during the Easter period but it’s essential to keep in mind the risk these decorations could have on your dog or cat if they were to mistake them for food or a toy. Decorative grasses made of plastics or other materials that are commonly used to fill baskets or decorate tables can cause intestinal blockages and other issues in your pet’s digestive systems.
Our experienced vets are here to help you so please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 3143 0999 or bring your beloved pet to one of our surgeries. We will be more than happy to offer advice.
