As Easter approaches and families gather to enjoy meals, picnics and barbeques together, it’s natural to include your dog in the celebrations and sneak them an odd tasty treat or two. Whilst it’s perfectly fine to offer your pooch small snacks in moderation, there are lots of foods around at this time of year that your dog may help themselves to if they aren’t stored away - and many of them are extremely toxic and can make your dog seriously ill.
Pet Expert and Founder of Yappy.com John Smith explains which Easter foods are dangerous for our dogs, and the safer choices to give our fluffy friends as a well-deserved treat.
- Chocolate: Chocolate is one of the most popular treats to find in UK homes during Easter, with chocolate eggs of all shapes and sizes adoring shelves and kitchen cabinets. However, as chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, this sweet treat is seriously harmful to dogs. Eating even a small amount of chocolate can have serious consequences and result in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and death in serious cases. This Easter, keep pooches on a lead during egg hunts and ensure all chocolate has been located before releasing them. Explain to younger children that dogs cannot eat chocolate, they shouldn’t give it to their pet and give them a couple of dog treats to keep handy for their pocket instead! Store chocolate treats out of reach on higher shelves to keep them safe and sound, and instead, give in to the puppy-dog eyes by treating them to some of their very own dog-friendly chocolate or a small chunk of cheese.
- Hot Cross Buns: Hot Cross buns are another delicious Easter delight that should be kept far away from our fluffy friends. Most hot cross buns contain dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas and currants, which are toxic to dogs. The reasons behind why these fruits are toxic is a bit of a mystery as some dogs have eaten large amounts of dried fruit without feeling unwell, whereas others have become unwell after eating just a small amount. In this case, it’s definitely best to err on the side of caution and make your own buns using a vet-approved dog-friendly recipe that you can enjoy together as a family without fear. If you’re looking for another tasty Easter treat to enjoy with your pet, follow this dog-friendly chocolate brownie or carrot cake cupcakes recipe and expect happy tummies from family members and pet pooches alike!
- Cooked Bones: We all know the phrase about a dog and his bone - however cooked bones come with serious health risks for your pup. Although they aren’t poisonous, they’re prone to splitting when gnawed and chewed. This can lead to bone fragments getting stuck in your dog’s throat, which can result in choking. If you want to give your dog or puppy a bone to chew on, make sure to check out Yappy.com’s helpful guide that discusses which bones are safe to chew on.
- Bulb Vegetables: Bulb vegetables add delicious flavour to a roast dinner, but those such as onions and garlic can cause nasty stomach upsets for your pet, and in some cases can cause red blood cell damage. Instead, opt for small amounts of boiled sweet potato, peas or carrots that your dog can chomp away on safely whilst you tuck into your Easter dinner!
- Skin and fat from cooked meats: It may be tempting to give your dog some of the leftovers, like chicken skin or a fatty piece of meat, however, this is far too rich for your dog’s tummy and in worst cases, it can cause inflammation of their pancreas. Properly cooked, boneless pieces of chicken added to their dog food bowl is an egg-cellent way to involve them in the Easter fun without risking their health.
- Alcoholic drinks: Easter gatherings often include alcoholic drinks, but it’s no secret that dogs can’t handle their booze; it hits their bloodstream quickly and can result in a drop in their blood temperature and blood sugar, which could lead to seizures and respiratory failure. Keep human beer away from thirsty pups, make sure their water bowl is full, and why not pick up some dog-friendly beer from Yappy.com to get your pooch involved in the Easter celebrations?
Remember this Easter, to keep any dangerous Easter foods well out of paws reach in a high cupboard and check that floors are clear of toxic food scraps that children may have dropped at Easter egg hunts and parties. If your dog does appear to have eaten any potentially toxic foods, always seek advice from your vet for immediate professional advice.
