Spring hazards: How to keep your dog safe this Easter

The risks to dogs in Spring

Easter could almost be designed to poison our pets: chocolate everywhere, even hidden in the garden; hot cross buns dropping raisins; the remains of the Simnel cake left with the cooling teapot after the feasting.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which dogs are unable to metabolise, over-stimulating the central nervous system and the heart. Symptoms are:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Elevated heart rate
• Twitching and muscle tremors
• Fitting
• In the worst cases it can lead to death.

In their haste, dogs often consume foil packaging too which can block your dog’s intestines requiring emergency surgery to clear.

Raisins, currants & sultanas

Raisins, currants & sultanas are traditional ingredients for hot cross buns and Simnel cake, but up to 15% of dogs find grape products poisonous, even just one raisin. The signs are:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Lethargy
• Kidney failure
• Coma

However, by the time symptoms occur, it might be too late; contact your vet immediately if you discover your dog has consumed any.  

Bones

Bones, a controversial treat, but everyone agrees, never give your dog a cooked bone. Cooking makes them brittle, and easily splintered, potentially causing choking, damage to the digestive tract, or an obstruction. Keep bones for the stockpot.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sweetener in low-calorie or diabetic chocolate and baking. Xylitol is very toxic to dogs, affecting insulin levels, leading to low blood sugar and coma.  

Preventative action

You can reduce the risks of a veterinary visit over the Easter holidays, with a little planning and a lot of vigilance.

• Keep all chocolate and dried fruit foods safely out of your dog’s reach. Dogs will sniff them out and make heroic efforts to get them!
• Be careful when eating these risky foods; half a hot cross bun is easily dropped, especially when it’s hot and slippery with butter, and nothing is quicker at hoovering them up than a salivating dog!
• Shut your dog away when you’re laying your Easter egg hunt, and the hunt is on. Count how many eggs were hidden to check they’ve all been found; with a nose evolved for scenting your dog will find the remaining ones very quickly!

Other seasonal risks

Festive holidays bring other challenges for dogs:

• Disruption to routine – this can be very unsettling, make time for your dog and don’t neglect their walks, you’ll both need them to let off steam.
• Guests – not only can large numbers or unfamiliar people upset your dog, but your guests may not know of the risks chocolate and raisins pose, so help them understand to be careful.
• Festive food, high in salt, fat & sugar, can make them ill; never leave your dog unattended with it, and clear everything safely away afterwards.
• Sensory overload - give your dog somewhere peaceful to retreat to, and watch for any behavioural changes indicating your dog is distressed.

Spring is a time of activity inside and outside the house:

• Don’t leave cleaning chemicals, sponges or rubber gloves lying around, any of which might take your dog’s fancy.
• Keep garden chemicals, like pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers, locked away.
• Many plant bulbs, and flowers such as lilies and daffodils, are toxic to dogs – be careful with them, especially if your dog is a keen gardener, or chewer.

Such a glorious time of year, with some consideration, we can all safely enjoy it. Happy Easter!!