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Keeping your dog safe this Easter

18/04/2019 - Potter Paws Blog


Easter is one of my favourite times of year, the weather starts to brighten up, flowers begin to bloom. We enjoy a nice long weekend with Easter egg hunts and family time however springtime and Easter can provide a lot of dangers to your dog, here is a list of some of the main dangers to be aware of;

Chocolate
It wouldn’t be the same without lots of chocolate eggs but as you probably already know, chocolate is bad news for dogs.

Chocolate contains a chemical called Theobromine which is toxic to dogs, there is more of this chemical in darker chocolates and less in milk chocolates, however even the smallest amount cause fits and heart problems.

When you are preparing your Easter egg hunt, be sure to keep your dog in a separate area, make sure you count how many chocolate eggs you’ve hidden, check the children find them all and none are left behind for your dog to sniff out afterwards.
 
Sweets
Some children prefer sweets to chocolate but sweets can also provide a danger for your dog. A lot of sweets contain a sweetener called xylitol, this can be found in many sugar-free products as well as peanut butter, chewing gum and toothpaste.

Xylitol causes a drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver failure and death; dogs are one of the only species to find xylitol toxic.
 
Spring Flowers
Our gardens begin to start blooming now and its worth knowing which flowers are poisonous for your dog. Daffodils, Tulips and other spring bulbs should be avoided, the bulb and flowers are poisonous if eaten so keep an eye on where your dog is digging in the garden. If you bring these into the house keep them out of reach and avoid your dog licking containers or drinking the vase water.

As well as spring bulbs there are many other flowers that are poisonous to your dog if eaten, some of these include;
Foxgloves
Azaleas
Delphiniums
Cyclamen
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Lupins
Sweet pea
 
Hot Cross Buns
Good Friday is generally the time for eating LOTS of hot cross buns but don’t forget these contain currants, raisins and sultanas which are also toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure.
Scientists are not yet sure what it is about these that make them toxic to dogs and every dog has a different reaction but it’s not worth the risk as eating just a handful can be fatal to some dogs.
As well as the traditional hot cross buns there are now many varieties including chocolate ones so do keep these away from your dog and don’t be tempted to share any.
 
What if my dog eats something he shouldn't?
If you suspect your dog has come into contact or eaten any of these items, contact your vet immediately. They will be able to make an educated decision as to whether your dog needs treatment and what treatment would be most appropriate.

It is much easier and safer for your vet to treat your dog as soon as possible after eating something poisonous. Don’t wait and see if they become unwell, call your vet straight away.
Your vets will want to know as much information as possible, including
  • what your dog has eaten, if you can, take a sample or food packet with you
  • how much your dog has eaten
  • when they ate it, (5minutes, an hour ago or 5 hours etc) this will affect how they treat him.
  • If you’ve noticed any side effects or changes in your dog since he ate it.
What can I do?
Often we don't think of these dangers until it's too late and our dog has already helped himself to something he shouldn't. The best thing is to be prepared; learn how to avoid problems and how to tell if your dog is unwell. Gain peace of mind by attending a Canine First Aid course, ensuring you know what to do and how to help in an emergency.
 
Have fun and stay safe this Easter

Potter Paws is a Dog Trainer in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. For training support and advice join our Facebook Community Group I'm in the group every day sharing information and answering your questions, and the best thing is... it's totally free to be part of our group!