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As Easter approaches, veterinarians are urging owners to be wary of some seemingly innocent household items that can be deadly to dogs.
David Hollinshead at VetsNow in Middlesbrough warns that owners should keep an extra eye out during celebrations like Easter, when accidents are most likely to happen.
“We see a big increase in pet-related emergencies around holidays and major events, and this is often due to pets eating things they shouldn’t, like flowers or chocolates,” he said.
Some flowers can be extremely dangerous
Some spring flowers, like daffodils, are very toxic to dogs according to the Blue Cross (stock image)
One such flower to watch out for is the popular spring flower, daffodils, which are very toxic to dogs according to Blue Cross.
According to the association, the bulbs are the most dangerous part because that’s where the toxins are concentrated, but owners are warned not to consume any part of the flower, including drinking water from a vase containing daffodils.
Symptoms of daffodil poisoning include nausea and stomach aches. If your dog is sleepy and wobbly, these are also telltale signs of daffodil poisoning to be wary of.
The charity advises separating flower patches in the garden and keeping an eye out for daffodils growing in walking areas.
Likewise, a number of other spring flowers, including tulips, ranunculus and bluebells, can be deadly. Eating any part of the plant, especially the bulb, can make dogs sick and symptoms of upset stomach are often signs of flower poisoning.
Tulips can also cause drooling, nausea and diarrhea, breathing problems and heart palpitations.
Bluebells are one of the most dangerous spring blooms and, if eaten in large quantities, can have deadly consequences. The Blue Cross charity is warning homeowners to be careful when walking in wooded areas where clusters of bluebells are often found.
Toxic foods to avoid
While preparing the Easter meal can be stressful, it’s essential that owners also be wary of what’s on hand when cooking, advises pet food company Purina. An expensive vet bill will undoubtedly be much more stressful than burnt potatoes.
According to Purina, pet owners should avoid giving their dog anything that contains raisins or sultanas, which definitely means no hotcakes.
Garlic, onions and leeks can also be very dangerous for dogs to consume, with the average vet bill for a threatened onion poisoning being £339, according to data from pet insurance claims of company.
Onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs, according to Purina, a pet food company (stock image)
ManyPets veterinarian Dr. Kirsten Ronngren explains that this is because onions contain disulfides that can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia.
“Treatment for onion toxicity depends on the size of the animal and the amount consumed,” she said.
“In more severe cases, the toxic dose may have been reached, requiring treatment for anemia.”
Hot buns also have the power to result in a hefty vet bill for dog owners. This is because raisins and sultanas are toxic to dogs. It is believed that the tartaric acid contained in the grapes is the cause of the poisoning. Signs of stomach ache, drooling and lack of appetite are all symptoms of poisoning.
Nutmeg, which is another common ingredient in hot cross buns, can also be potentially dangerous due to the hallucinogenic toxin myristicin.
Although it is marketed as a healthy alternative, manufacturers tend to introduce xylitol, an artificial sweetener, into our foods, causing an insulin spike that could even be fatal for dogs.
Although symptoms often disappear within an hour, if a large amount of Xylitol has been consumed, the risk of liver failure increases.
Make sure to throw away all chocolate wrappers
Although most of us don’t know how to give chocolate to dogs, Easter egg wrappers can also be harmful to dogs.
Aluminum packaging can not only pose a choking hazard, but also cause dangerous intestinal obstruction, causing abdominal pain and vomiting.
If you’re trying to opt for healthier choices for yourself this year, be aware that the sweetest one, Xylitol, can be dangerous for dogs.
If you have to give them a treat, stay vegetarian
In addition to being mindful of what is within reach of greedy pups, owners should also be careful with what they feed leftovers.
A study by Welsh company Burns Pet Nutrition found that a third of owners overfed their dogs, and 45% even shared cheese with their dogs.
But vet Burns Pet Nutrition founder John Burns MBE urges owners to think twice before overfeeding.
“Dogs don’t necessarily need tasty treats, it’s just us, the owners, who like to give them them! »
Don’t let those big puppy eyes put pressure on you,” he said.
Burns recommends avoiding giving dogs leftovers and suggests sticking to steamed vegetables if you absolutely have to.