With Easter just around the corner we start to forget about the dark and cold nights and look forward to lighter evenings, warmer weather and most of all the chocolate eggs. As we are all at home this Easter we wanted to give you some handy tips to help you look after your furry friends and to avoid any unnecessary trips or calls to the emergency vet.
When it comes to Easter there are a few things to consider that may not always be such a treat when it comes to your pets. Make sure you keep all of the below out of reach of your cats and dogs.
- Chocolate Easter eggs and any other chocolate contains theobromine, which is poisonous to cats and dogs. It can make your pet extremely ill and in some cases can even be fatal.
- Dark chocolate, the more cocoa solids means the more Theobromine it will contain. It is advised not to give any chocolate to your pet. If you think they will feel left out, give them their favourite treat.
- Raisins, currants, sultanas and grapes which may be found in hot cross buns are also toxic for cats and dogs. They can cause a range of conditions such as kidney failure, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of appetite and even abdominal pain
- Bones from chicken, lamb or any meat on the bone can fragment inside a cat or dog once eaten. If someone is cooking the roast dinner this weekend, make sure to keep an eye on pets who are cheeky and try to steal food from the table.
- Hot cross buns have dried fruit in them such as currents, raisins and sultanas. All of these are toxic to dogs. If ingested, dogs can suffer from severe kidney failure as a result. Try and keep any food containing dried fruit away from your dog.
Why not purchase Easter eggs for your pets from VioVet and share the fun with your pets so they can eat theirs as much as you can enjoy yours.
It’s not only treats that can be harmful to our cats and dogs, certain flowers can be poisonous and should be kept out of reach.
- Bulbs, including daffodils, are poisonous and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and even heart problems as the bulbs are the most dangerous part
- Tulips are also a flower to be aware of due them irritating your dog’s mouth and intestinal tract. If ingested, your dog will experience drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. Heart problems can also arise and problems breathing and showing signs of tulip poisoning.
- Flowers such as lilies contain toxins and can result in kidney failure when eaten by cats
- Decorations may look pretty in your home but harm your pets. Hang and place your decorations out of the reach of your pet, as they may see it as a new toy and want to investigate.
Other plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables listed below are poisonous to dogs:
- Apples (pips)
- Apricots (kernel)
- Azalea
- Bluebells
- Buttercups
- Cyclamen (root)
- Elderberry
- Foxglove (leaves and seeds)
- Hyacinth (bulbs)
- Ivy (whole plant)
- Lupin (leaves, seeds)
- Onion (causes anaemia)
- Peach (stones and leaves)
- Rhododendron
- Rhubarb (leaves)
- Sweetpea (stem)
- Wild cherry tree (twigs and foliage)
- Yew (berries and foliage)
Heading out for a walk with your dog?
- Don’t forget to keep your dog on a lead if you’re around wildlife in a park, by a pond or lake or at the beach. A dog may think that it is playing with a duck, rabbit, swan, chick or seal but a bite from a dog can sometimes be fatal to these animals.
What to do if you think your cat or dog has eaten or ingested something they shouldn’t have?
- Prevent them from eating any more
- Phone your local emergency vet immediately for advice.
- If possible, try to find out what they may have eaten, how much of it and note any symptoms, as this will help your vet to treat your pet
What would your pets say if you didn’t cover them with pet insurance?
We understand being a pet parent can be tough, especially when your pets become ill or get injured. It’s important to consider pet insurance even if you have a new puppy, as it can help provide peace of mind that your pet is covered if they have to go to the vet and get the treatment they need to get better. You can easily compare our insurance plans and get a quote through our website.
Get a quote for your cat or dog