How to keep your dog and cat safe from the Easter bunny

Around the country millions of people will be indulging in the joys of Easter, but not everyone will be aware of the danger that some of our favourite traditions pose to our dogs and cats.

With this in mind, leading animal welfare charity, Battersea, has issued some Easter pet care advice to ensure that the holiday is enjoyed by the whole family.

A Battersea spokesperson said: “Easter is a time for us to indulge in some tasty foods, such as chocolate easter eggs and hot crossed buns. However, the ingredients in these are extremely poisonous and could be fatal if they’re ingested.

“Owners should keep an eye on their dogs and cats to ensure that they are enjoying Easter just as much as we are, and that they don’t get their paws on anything they shouldn’t. If your pet does come into contact with something dangerous you should contact your vet immediately.”

Chocolate and Easter Eggs

With spring comes the arrival of the Easter Bunny, and while we humans may enjoy a feast of egg-shaped chocolates, our pets will not. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs and cats. The purer the chocolate, the more theobromine it tends to have.

Make sure to keep all chocolate out of reach of your pet this Easter, especially if you are planning an easter egg hunt. If they do get their paws on some, call your vet immediately.

Hot Cross Buns

In the lead up to Easter, many of us enjoy a hot cross bun or two, however the raisins and sultanas baked within this treat are toxic to animals. The active ingredient which causes the toxin is unknown, however both grapes and raisins may cause severe liver damage and kidney failure. These dried fruits are in many other foods too, including cakes, biscuits and cereals so owners need to be extra careful when storing or eating any of these around their pets.

Alcohol

As soon as the evenings get lighter and the weekends get warmer, many people can be found enjoying a cool alcoholic beverage in gardens and parks. Just like humans, dogs and cats can become intoxicated by drinking alcohol. Unlike humans however, as little as a tablespoon of alcohol can lead to serious health problems for pets including liver and brain damage, so it is vital to keep drinks out of reach of curious animals.

Roast dinner

A Sunday roast is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Easter and while it may be tempting to give your pet some leftovers, we should be careful of what we’re serving them.

Owners should avoid giving dogs any left over bones that have been cooked, such as lamb, as they should shatter and cause internal bleeding. Likewise, scraps of roast pork can allow for problems, such as bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, dehydration, fever and in more serious cases pancreatitis.

If your pet does get their paws on any bones or dangerous meats, you should contact your vet immediately.

Make sure your pet is microchipped

With everyone spending more time outside on easter egg hunts, or a long walk, there is more chance for our dogs and cats to wander off and get lost. It is important to make sure they are microchipped, and their chip details are up-to-date. That way, if your pet does go missing, you can be reunited with them as quickly as possible. It is also a legal requirement for dogs to me microchipped and wear a collar and tag with their owners’ details on.

If your dog or cat dogs sniff, swallow or come into contact with something poisonous to them, you should contact your vet immediately. For further pet advice, please visit www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice.