3 things your pets should avoid this Easter

28th March 2024

As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Easter, it’s essential to take a moment to consider the safety and well-being of our beloved pets. While Easter brings with it a myriad of delightful traditions and festivities, it also introduces potential hazards for our furry friends. Therefore, as you prepare to celebrate this special occasion, let’s delve into some crucial safety tips to ensure that your pets can join in the Easter merriment without any risk to their health or happiness. From chocolate temptations to budding blossoms, let’s explore how we can create a safe and enjoyable environment for our furry companions throughout the Easter season.

The 3 most common dangers for pets to avoid are as follows:

Chocolate & Easter eggs:

Chocolate contains theobromine, an ingredient toxic to pets. If ingested, theobromine can cause seizures, increased heart rate, diarrhoea, vomiting and even death depending on the amount consumed by your pet. The general rule-of-thumb when determining this is that the darker the chocolate, the higher the level of theobromine.

Hot cross buns:

Hot cross buns contain dried fruits such as currants, raisins and sultanas. All of which are highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting just the smallest amount of dried fruits or grapes can cause acute kidney failure in dogs which can prove fatal.

Spring bulbs & flowers

As the colourful spring flowers begin to appear it’s important to remember that many of these are toxic to dogs. Some of the most common spring flowers that are poisonous to pets include:

• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Bluebells
• Buttercups
• Foxgloves
• Azaleas
• Hyacinths
• Crocuses
• Amaryllis
• Rhododendrons

Symptoms can range from vomiting and diarrhoea to heart problems and difficulty breathing. If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous flower or bulb then please consult your vet immediately.

By following these Easter safety tips, you can help ensure that your pets enjoy a happy and hazard-free holiday season. Wishing you and your furry friends a wonderful Easter.

For a full list of poisonous plants, flowers and bulbs please visit: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/plants-poisonous-to-dogs