Your Pets Daily - Keeping dogs safe at Easter

Vets issue urgent warning to pet owners ahead of Easter weekend - with just a handful of Cadbury’s Mini Eggs enough to be life-threatening for your dog

Jessica Curtis — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Just six Cadbury's Mini Eggs or one small chocolate egg could be enough to cause harm to your dog this Easter weekend, vets have warned.

The UK's leading emergency vets, Vets Now, has revealed that they saw a 95% increase in cases over the Easter weekend, with an 85% increase in chocolate-related cases compared to the previous week.

With Easter fast approaching, many of us will be looking forward to relaxing over the four-day weekend and indulging in some delicious, chocolatey treats.

It's estimated that, as a nation, we buy between 80-90m Easter eggs every year. But whilst the holiday can be a joyful period of celebration with friends and family, it's important for pet owners to remember that as chocolate can be toxic for our dogs and dangerous for cats, it's vital to keep it out of reach. 

Dave Leicester, Head of Telehealth at Vets Now, said:

"Unfortunately, we see a big rise in chocolate toxicity cases at Easter and it shows owners can never be too careful.

"Our advice is always to keep chocolate treats well away from your dog. As long as it's treated early and there's been no organ damage, the prognosis for chocolate toxicity is generally good. But we'd like to help pet owners avoid a trip to the emergency room over Easter."

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is poisonous and highly toxic for both dogs and cats. How toxic depends on the amount of chocolate your pet has consumed and smaller dogs or puppies face a higher risk due to their size. Dark chocolate and high % cocoa chocolate usually poses the highest danger but theobromine can still be found in milk chocolate.

Cadbury's Mini Eggs may be a popular Easter snack but a family-sized 270g bag is enough to cause toxicity in a medium sized (12-25kg) dog. It could also cause serious problems for small breeds weighing between 5 to 12kg.

A standard small bag at 80g could be a serious threat for toy breeds or puppies weighing 5kg or less - with as few as 6 mini eggs enough to potentially cause toxicity.

With the average chocolate Easter eggshell containing between 90 to 200g of milk chocolate, that on its own is enough to cause toxicity in medium-sized dogs and smaller dogs. A dark chocolate egg poses a much higher risk and even just 90g could be toxic for large dogs weighing 25 kg or more. With small breeds or puppies, that quantity could be life-threatening.

Dogs are at a higher risk, because they are more likely to eat chocolate, but cats can still suffer from chocolate toxicity, so vets advise that it's avoided in all quantities.

The first signs of chocolate poisoning to look out for are:

Restlessness
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Excessive thirst

If untreated, these clinical signs may develop into hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, hyperthermia, and rapid breathing. In severe cases, dogs may even experience fits and heartbeat irregularities and some cases can result in coma or death."

To help concerned pet owners deal with cases of suspected chocolate poisoning, Vets Now has developed an online chocolate toxicity calculator to work out whether your dog has eaten a potentially toxic amount. Simply put in your dog's weight or size, the type of chocolate they ate and an estimation of the amount.

A good tip is to look for wrappers or foil to guess how much has been consumed.

Vets Now is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, with clinics across the UK.

If you're unsure whether your pet needs veterinary treatment, you can book an online video consultation with Video Vets Now. If you know for certain your pet has eaten something toxic, however, do not delay, call your daytime vet or your local emergency clinic.

For more helpful pet owner advice and information, or to find your nearest clinic, visit www.vets-now.com.

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Keeping dogs safe at Easter

Vets Now

PDSA Weekly Pet Care Column: Vet Nurse’s Easter chocolate warning

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We know that with Easter, there comes lots of Easter eggs and other delicious chocolatey treats. Whilst we may all like to indulge in some chocolate goodies, it is in fact toxic for dogs, cats and rabbits.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing shares the need to knows about chocolate safety this Easter for pet owners.

Nina says: "Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is perfectly safe for humans, but toxic to our four-legged friends. The seriousness of chocolate poisoning depends on how much chocolate your pet has eaten, how much they weigh and the cocoa content of the chocolate – the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is likely to be for your pet.

"However, even a small amount of milk chocolate can cause serious problems for your pet so even if they haven't eaten much, it's always best to contact your vet.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning

"The most severe cases of chocolate poisoning in pets can lead to heart failure, coma and even death. Although this is rare this is why it's really important to keep chocolate safely away from prying paws.

"Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually appear within two to four hours but can take up to 12 hours. In severe cases, toxicity can cause:

Fast breathing or panting

Shaking, trembling and tremors

High temperature (fever)

Seizures

A fast heart rate

High blood pressure

Keeping prying paws safe from chocolate

"With more chocolate in the house during festivities like Easter, it's really important to make sure it's kept securely away from pets. It's best to keep chocolate stored away in secure containers, or in cupboards that your pets are unable to sneak in to.

Concerned about chocolate poisoning?

"If you are concerned your pet may have eaten chocolate, don't wait for symptoms to appear as chocolate poisoning can be dangerous. Keep the packaging, make a note of how much they have eaten, and call your vet immediately for advice.

"At our Pet Hospitals, a treatment used for chocolate and raisin toxicity sees an average increase in use of about 23% around Easter. At the higher end, it can cost PDSA as much as £300 to treat a dog for chocolate poisoning."

More information for keeping pets safe and happy during Easter can be found at pdsa.org.uk

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Keeping dogs safe at Easter

Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, gives eggs-pert advice on how to have a dog-friendly Easter, having four-legged fun but keeping dogs away from chocolate which is poisonous to them

Katie Court — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

With the bank holiday Easter weekend fast approaching, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is reminding dog owners to keep chocolate out of reach of our four-legged friends.

As Easter eggs and other tasty cocoa treats find their way into homes, the charity hopes to raise awareness of the risk that the consumption of chocolate poses to our canine companions.

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs as it contains a substance called theobromine, which dogs and some other animals struggle to metabolise. Symptoms of theobromine poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, excitability, drooling, and potentially seizures and fatal heart problems. If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately.

The charity advises:

· Never give your pooch any human chocolate as a treat. Ensure that children and visitors understand why and adhere to this rule too.

· If you are hosting an Easter egg hunt, make sure your dog can’t find the chocolate first by keeping them away from the area, or on a lead with constant supervision.

· Make sure that bins are dog-proof to prevent them scavenging through rubbish.

· Never leave any chocolate unsupervised, such as cakes cooling on worktop surfaces.

· Teach your dog to move away from something when you ask them to ‘leave it’. This valuable life skill will come in handy if your dog reaches for something they shouldn’t have.

· Keep a close eye on your dog whilst out walking, to avoid them eating discarded food that is potentially harmful.

Victoria Phillips, Dogs Trust Veterinary Surgeon Manager, says:

“Although when it comes to our dogs we need to maintain a chocolate free zone, there are plenty of tasty treats they can enjoy, and join in the fun too.

“For example, taking them on their own Easter hunt around the house or garden that includes dog-friendly treats instead of chocolate is a great way of bonding and giving our dogs lots of stimulation.

“If you want to try something different, tasty treats they will happily hunt for include cucumber, carrot, strawberries and broccoli. If you hide those, they will have a much healthier Easter than perhaps many of us will!

“You could also use Easter egg boxes to hide their toys or treats in for them to sniff out. If you want to have a go at something a little bit different, set a couple of boxes a little distance apart and, holding your dog’s treats or favourite toy in one hand, slowly start to guide them in a figure of eight around the two boxes. Then reward your dog with a safe tasty treat or more games!”

For more information and advice about keeping your dog happy and healthy, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice

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Keeping dogs safe at Easter

Hot Cross Buns: Dog Experts Warn Of Canine Fatalities As Easter Approaches

Jessica Curtis — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:00:00 +0000

With Easter fast approaching households across the UK are preparing to indulge in decadent feasts. Careless consumption, however, can pose a potentially fatal danger to our four-legged friends.

Last year, Hattie, a Bernese Mountain Dog, almost died after pinching her owner’s hot cross bun. Raisins, currants and sultanas - all common ingredients of a hot cross bun - can be toxic to canines.

With this in mind, an expert from Kennel Store explains exactly why hot cross buns are so toxic to dogs, and what owners can do if their pet accidentally swallows one.

Why are hot cross buns so toxic to dogs?

“Hot cross buns normally contain raisins, currants or sultanas. These dried grapes can be highly toxic to dogs, but it's still not completely clear why. This uncertainty is part of what makes them so dangerous. Unlike some toxins where there’s a known threshold for toxicity, sensitivity can vary from dog to dog, and some may develop severe toxicity from even small amounts.”

What might happen if my dog accidentally eats a hot cross bun?

“Some dogs may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and abominable pain within a few hours of ingestion. Consumption of raisins can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). Dogs may experience sudden and severe kidney damage, which, in some cases, can lead to kidney failure.

“Symptoms of kidney damage include decreased urine production, weakness, seizures and even comas. If left untreated, kidney damage can be fatal.”

What should I do if my dog ingests a hot cross bun?

“If you suspect that your dog has eaten a hot cross bun or any form of raisin or currant, it is essential to contact your local veterinarian immediately. Usually, the vet will recommend giving your dog an injection or medication to throw up.”

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Vet shares warning against dangerous Easter hazards from Chocolate to Roast Dinners

Tom Stone — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0000

With Easter fast approaching, many of us will spend time with loved ones, indulge in chocolate and enjoy Springtime activities. However, this can be a particularly dangerous time for pets, and owners must be cautious as it poses a risk to their health and well-being, even from unexpected sources.

If you're unsure how to keep your pets safe this Easter, here are 5 tips recommended by Veterinary Surgeon Dr Linda:

1. Keep dogs indoors or on a lead during Easter egg hunts:

Whilst you should encourage dogs to run and play in the garden, an Easter egg hunt is one garden activity we should ensure they sit out on. Making sure your dog doesn't have access to chocolate eggs is very important.

Chocolate is poisonous for dogs, as it contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs cannot efficiently metabolise, so ingesting even a small amount can make them quite unwell. As we know, dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so it wouldn't take them long to sniff out any hidden chocolate, most likely beating the kids to it.

Once your Easter egg hunt is over, it is a good idea to double-check your garden for any forgotten chocolate before you allow your dog to freely roam the garden unsupervised.

2. In the unfortunate event that your dog ingests some chocolate:

It's important to take them to your veterinary clinic, where they will advise and act upon the next steps. If you want to involve your dog in the Easter games, then hide some of your dog's favourite treats around the garden once the chocolate hunt is over and let them sniff them out. Not only is this one way to stop them from feeling left out, but it is a great source of mental stimulation that can help control stress and curb unwanted behaviours.

3. Avoid sharing your roast dinner:

Sharing Easter feasts with our furry friends can be tempting, but this may be doing more harm than good. A traditional UK roast dinner includes chicken, stuffing, gravy, veggies, and Yorkshire puddings - but some of these ingredients can make your pooch quite sick.

While lean chicken meat is absolutely fine to give to our dogs, we need to be cautious of offering too much skin as chicken skin is high in fat, causing pancreatitis in susceptible dogs. Stuffing is generally a 'no-no' for dogs as it contains onion and garlic. If eaten in large quantities, these allium plants can cause red blood cells to break down and can cause anaemia.

Some gravies may be safe, but richer gravies with butter or meat fat are too high in fat and salt and can cause stomach upsets and pancreatitis. Overall, Veggies are the safest option if you want to share, but avoid those cooked in fat or butter. Boiled carrots, parsnips, sprouts, and potatoes are good choices.

4. Supervise your children at all times:

Like all animals, dogs have instincts, and they can kick in at any time, which is why we always recommend never leaving children and dogs alone. Even if you think your dog is good with children, there is still cause to remain vigilant when they are together, even more so around high-energy holidays such as Easter.

With the increased excitement and the likely consumption of more sugar than they are generally used to, children can get a little bit hyper, and in turn, they might find pestering the dog a new form of entertainment. Whether it is getting in the face and smothering them with kisses, or pulling at their tails or ears, like humans, dogs will only withstand so much before they react. So, to avoid unnecessary situations, it is a good idea to keep an eye on how your children interact with your dog.

5. Avoid your dog getting access to your rubbish bins:

Dogs' super-sensitive sense of smell makes them great at finding food, even in the rubbish bin. To prevent potentially dangerous incidents, store your bin out of reach or weigh down the lid when your dog is around.

Easter adds to the risk of food scraps, wrappers, and packaging that could cause blockages or internal damage if ingested. Items such as chicken bones can splinter when consumed. They can cause serious internal damage, and ingestion of wrappers and other non-food items can cause blockages and other issues that could lead to your dog requiring surgery. So for your sanity and your dogs' safety, ensuring they do not have access to your bins is advised! Avoid the hassle and keep your dog safe by restricting access to your bins.

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Keeping dogs safe at Easter

Pet expert urges owners to keep hot cross buns out of paws reach this Easter

Katie Court — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Easter is a time full of celebrations for the whole family, and it's a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet, especially as this year Easter marks the change to British Summer Time, bringing an extra hour of light. As pet parents across the country will look to make the most of the welcomed sunshine, when going on daily walks and attending Easter celebrations like egg hunts there are additional hazards to be cautious of from toxic Easter treats and newly sprouting plants.

To ensure Easter is a happy and safe time for you and your pet, Bella & Duke's Canine Nutritional Advisor, Jude McCoy lists her top five tips for making Easter safer for your pet.

Easter eggs and chocolate treats - Easter eggs and other chocolate treats are a widely known to be a definite no for dogs. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which is toxic and really difficult for dogs to metabolise. The level of toxicity depends on the darkness and concentration of the cacao, so a quality 85% dark chocolate is going to be much more toxic than a small piece of milk chocolate, but giving any type of chocolate to dogs must be avoided. If you are planning an easter egg hunt at home, make sure to keep your pets out of the way and collect any stray easter eggs from the garden before letting them out again. You can still include your furry friends in all of the festivities, try making them their own hunt by using natural treats like scrumptious venison treats.

Hot cross buns – Another staple in Easter celebrations, hot cross buns contain dried fruit such as raisins and sultanas, both of which are toxic to both cats and dogs and can cause kidney damage. It's important you ensure these are kept out of reach from your pet as even small quantities can cause severe damage.

Spring bulbs and flowers - Easter is a beautiful time of year with spring flowers and bulbs in full bloom, but make sure you keep them well out of reach of your furry friend, particularly if they're prone to chewing plants or digging up the garden. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and amaryllis are all common spring plants that are poisonous to dogs. They can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and other dangerous side effects. Dogs are natural explorers, it's on you as the owner to keep a keen eye on your pet and keep them away from any toxic plants. And despite being less likely to dig up plants, cats face issues with lilies due to the pollen in the stamens (the inner antenna part of the flower) cut these out to remove the risk of pollen being ingested which can cause irritation.

Easter decorations - When gifting or receiving easter baskets, it can be tempting to let pets play with plastic grass and straw and tissue, but they can be easily swallowed and often lead to digestive issues, resulting in vomiting, bloating and dehydration. Always keep decorations and gifts out of reach and give your furry friend a pet-friendly toy instead.

Spring cleaning - If you're using easter to tidy up the house with a bit of spring cleaning, it's important to remember that many cleaning products can be dangerous to pets. Common household cleaning items such as heavily scented disinfectants, bleach and ammonia-based cleaning products, which create harmful gases, are toxic and should be kept safely away from pets.

Jude McCoy, Canine Nutritional Advisor at Bella & Duke said "Easter is a great time to bring your furry friend into the family festivities and with the improved weather it's the ideal opportunity to explore new routes on your daily walks as plants begin to blossom. However, with this comes some added precautions, we know how toxic chocolate is to our canine companions but there are some extra hazards you should be aware of.

If you're baking hot cross buns, watch out for any stray sultanas or raisins that your pet might try to get their paws on. Plants, cleaning products and Easter decorations can also all be a hazard to your pet, especially if they're keen explorers. This doesn't mean that you have to avoid Easter all together, keeping a close eye on your pet will limit any hazards and unnecessary trips to the vet."

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Keeping dogs safe at Easter

Are hot cross buns dangerous for dogs?