Egg-scellent Advice: Protect Your Pets from Toxic Easter Treats
Easter is a time for joy, celebration, reflection, and indulging in delicious treats. While we can enjoy chocolate eggs and hot cross buns freely, our beloved cats and dogs face a hidden danger lurking in these festive foods. As pet parents, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential toxins that can harm our furry companions. The following are some common Easter foods that should be kept far away from dogs and cats.
For a more comprehensive list and free advice regarding toxicity, visit the Australian Animal Poisons Hotline.
Chocolate
Chocolate is perhaps the most well-known pet toxin and is the classic easter hazard.
It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which can be toxic to cats and dogs. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of these harmful substances.
Remember, those hidden Easter eggs from the hunt can be easily found and consumed by your pet, even days later! So be thorough in your search.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, heart problems, increased thirst and urination, seizures, and, in severe cases, death. Even small amounts can upset a dog’s digestive system.
Grapes/Raisins/Sultanas
Grapes, sultanas, and raisins are commonly found in holiday treats, such as fruitcakes and buns.
The exact reason for their toxicity is unknown. The toxic dose is also unclear, and not all pets react the same way to the same amount of grapes.
- Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially kidney damage or failure in dogs and cats. The signs of kidney damage may not be present at first, but they can include lethargy, increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and dehydration.
Xylitol
It’s a sweetener that is not so sweet for pets. It can be found in many sugar-free products, including candies, gum, and baked goods. Its rapid absorption can lead to severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver damage in dogs.
Always check ingredient labels and keep xylitol-containing products far out of reach.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, weakness, seizures, coma, and liver failure
Hot Cross Buns
A big no-no for dogs and cats! Hot Cross Buns can contain a combination of dangerous ingredients such as raisins, chocolate and xylitol (sugar-free versions). Even spices like nutmeg, in high doses, can be fatal for dogs.
- Symptoms: Vary depending on the ingredients in the buns
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are sometimes found in Easter desserts and chocolate treats and can cause toxicity in dogs. The exact toxic compound remains unknown.
- Symptoms: Weakness, tremors, vomiting, fever, and increased heart rate
Easter Lilies
Easter Lilies (and all types of lilies) are beautiful but are extremely toxic to cats.
Even ingesting or inhaling a small amount of pollen or drinking water from the vase can lead to acute kidney failure.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and kidney failure
What To Do If They Eat Something Toxic
The required treatment or preventative measures will depend on what and when they ate a potentially toxic food. If they have eaten it recently, they may be given medication to induce vomiting.
Treatment also depends on the symptoms they are displaying.
If you notice that they have eaten something they shouldn’t, or if they seem unwell, contact your vet for further instructions. Visit Emergency Vets to find your closest emergency vet in Adelaide.
Be Prepared
- Keep all toxic foods out of reach: Store chocolate, grapes, raisins, hot cross buns, xylitol products, and macadamia nuts in secure containers and out of reach of dogs and cats
- Supervise children during Easter egg hunts: Ensure all chocolate eggs are found and disposed of properly… by eating them yourself!
- Be mindful of Easter decorations: Keep lilies and other potentially toxic plants away from cats
- Educate your family and guests: Inform visitors about the dangers of feeding pets potentially toxic foods
- Know who can help: Keep the contact details and opening times of an urgent veterinary clinic handy. We created a list of the designated emergency veterinary clinics in Adelaide. Visit Emergency Vets to find your closest location.
Emergency App
We recommend downloading the ‘First Aid for Pets’ app. It provides a comprehensive list of toxic substances and guidance on how to respond if you suspect your pet has ingested them.
The app also offers first aid advice for various illnesses and injuries, as well as links to 24/7 emergency vet clinics.
