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 are stimulants that 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, restlessness, tremors, seizures, and even death

Grapes/Raisins/Sultanas

They are small fruits that can cause big problems. Raisins are often found in hot cross buns and other Easter treats and can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats. Even small amounts can be toxic, and the exact mechanism of toxicity is still unknown.

• Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and kidney failure. They may show no signs to begin with until their kidneys become affected

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

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.

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 you notice that they have eaten something they shouldn’t, or if they seem unwell, contact a vet for further instructions. If they have eaten it recently, they may be given medication to induce vomiting.