With the Easter weekend almost finally here, many households will be stocking up on delicious treats.
But if you have a dog, make sure you don’t fall for their puppy-dog eyes.
Vets have warned that a popular Easter treat could be lethal to dogs.
Your first thought is probably chocolate, which is widely known to be toxic for our furry friends.
However, the Kennel Club says that dog owners should also be wary of hot cross buns and Simnel cake.
‘Easter brings a wealth of different festive food into the household, and although highly dangerous to dogs, their acute sense of smell means they can sniff them out and get hold of poisonous food,’ the Kennel Club said.
‘Owners should be mindful of any chocolate brought into the house, as well as other traditional treats, such as hot cross buns and Simnel cake which are also highly toxic to dogs, as they contain grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas.
‘These should be placed safely out of reach – high up and behind closed cupboard doors.’
With Easter just a matter of days away now, many households will be stocking up on delicious treats. But if you have a dog, make sure you don’t fall for their puppy-dog eyes
The Kennel Club says that dog owners should be wary of hot cross buns and Simnel cake
Statistics released by the Kennel Club show that cases of chocolate poisoning in dogs increases by a whopping 50 per cent over Easter.
What’s more, the data, collected by Kennel Club Pet Insurance and provided by Agria, also revealed that nearly a fifth of all claims for chocolate poisoning in 2024 for dogs were made in March and April, in the lead-up to and in the aftermath of the Easter period.
‘While many pet owners will be aware of the dangers of chocolate, we still a surge in cases during the Easter period, where dogs take advantage of their owners being distracted to get their paws on the sweet treats,’ said Robin Hargreaves, Senior Veterinary Advisor for Agria Pet Insurance.
‘Chocolate can be toxic to your dog, so owners who think their pets might have ingested any should contact their vet for advice immediately.
‘Symptoms can vary, but include sickness, upset or painful stomach, as well as excessive drinking, dribbling, fast breathing and even seizures, and can appear any time between four – 24 hours later.’
However, chocolate, hot cross buns, and Simnel cake aren’t the only Easter foods that can be dangerous for dogs.
According to Jimmy Brately, a vet at Adaptil, lamb bones should also be avoided.
‘As a key staple in many Easter roast dinners, it may be tempting to treat your dog to a bone to chew on,’ Mr Brately said.
‘Owners should be mindful of any chocolate brought into the house, as well as other traditional treats, such as hot cross buns and Simnel cake which are also highly toxic to dogs, as they contain grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas,’ the Kennel Club said
‘However, while not toxic to dogs, cooked lamb bones can splinter, which can cause your dog serious injuries such as choking, internal punctures, or blockages in the digestive tract.’
Beyond foods, the Kennel Club has also flagged several flora and fauna that dog owners should be wary of.
‘Many springtime flowers, including daffodils, tulips and crocuses, can also sadly be poisonous to dogs, so owners should be alert on walks and in the garden, especially for any bulbs that were planted earlier in the year,’ it explained.
‘Animals that are more common in spring – such as snails, toads, ticks and adders – are also potential health hazards, with risks including lungworm, poisoning, bites and stings.’
If you think your dog might have ingested something toxic, it’s important you call your vet immediately.
‘They will advise you on the next steps, whether that be monitoring closely for worsening symptoms or heading to an emergency practice,’ Mr Brately added.
