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 kitchen cupboards across the nation fill up with Easter eggs and other tasty treats, 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, a substance similar to caffeine, 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.
Dried fruits such as raisins, currants and sultanas or fresh and dried grapes are also toxic to dogs and can lead to fatal renal failure, so it’s essential that hot cross buns, Simnel cake, and any other foods containing these dried fruits are kept well away from canine companions too. Contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten chocolate or any of these dried fruits.
Dogs Trust Cardiff advises:
- Never give your dog any human chocolate or dried fruits as a treat. Ensure that children and visitors understand why and adhere to this rule too.
- If you are hosting an Easter egg hunt, ensure your dog can’t find the chocolate first by keeping them away from the area or on a lead under constant supervision. Make sure you keep track of where you hide the eggs so that any undiscovered treats can be safely collected before your dog goes back into the garden.
- Make sure that bins are dog-proof to prevent them from scavenging through rubbish.
- Never leave any chocolate, hot cross buns, Simnel cake or dried fruits on tables or kitchen tops where your dog may be able to reach them.
- Teach your dog to move away from objects when asked to ‘leave it’. Check out the Dogs Trust website for expert advice on how to train your dog to learn this valuable life skill, as it will be helpful 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.
Charlie Dobson, Senior Vet at Dogs Trust says: “Easter is a wonderful time for families, but it can present some hidden dangers for our dogs. Many of the treats we enjoy during the celebrations can be extremely harmful to pets, so a little extra care and awareness can go a long way in keeping them safe.
“We encourage owners to store seasonal foods securely, be mindful when hosting gatherings, and take extra precautions during activities like Easter egg hunts, where tempting treats may be left within easy reach. It’s also important to ensure that children and visitors understand not to share food with dogs, however well-meaning they may be.
“When it comes to our dogs, we need to maintain a chocolate-free zone, but 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 is an excellent way of bonding and stimulating our dogs
“If you want to try something different, they will happily hunt for tasty treats including cucumber, carrot, strawberries and broccoli. If you hide those, they will have a much healthier Easter than we may have!
“By taking a few simple steps and staying vigilant, owners can help prevent avoidable accidents and ensure it’s an enjoyable, safe and worry-free weekend for both people and their four-legged companions.”
