Easter is a super sweet holiday, but beware the dangers to your pet. Dogs are well known to sneak a treat that they are not meant to, and at this time of year, a stolen treat could be deadly!

1. Choco-Not!

Chocolate is everywhere at Easter, but keep it away from your pets! Chocolate  can cause hyperexcitability, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and even death if ingested by your pet. Theobromine is the compound in chocolate that causes issues with our pets. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is if ingested by your pet. Don’t forget to ensure all Easter eggs hidden in the garden are accounted for after a hunt!

2. Sugar-Free doesn’t mean safe

Sugar-Free may mean less calories, but it doesn’t make things safe for our pets to eat. Sweeteners such as xylitol are toxic to dogs, and are becoming more commonly used in chocolate, peanut butters, baked treats and sugar-free gum. Xylitol affects dogs differently than us, and can cause their blood sugar to crash, leading to seizures and even death.

3. Hot cross buns – Fruits to fear

Hot cross buns are an Easter staple. Traditional hot cross buns are full of yummy spices and fruits. Sultanas, raisins and grapes have all been shown to be toxic to dogs. Although the cause of the reaction is unknown, ingestion of these fruits has been shown to cause kidney failure in dogs.

4. Dispose of the evidence

Packaging and foil from Easter eggs and treats still smell yummy, and can cause issues if ingested by over eager pets. Always make sure wrappers and foil are properly disposed of out of your pets reach to avoid an accidental gastrointestinal blockage.

Has your pet eaten something they shouldn’t have?
Call your vet immediately if you believe your pet has eaten something potentially dangerous, even if they are showing no symptoms. The sooner you act the better!

As a pet owner, you can contact the Animal Poisons Helpline for FREE on 0800 869 738
Current operational hours are 11AM-10PM (NZ time). A 24-hour service is available to all New Zealand registered veterinary practices.