Easter is of course synonymous with chocolate and who doesn’t love an Easter egg!
But it’s important to remember chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, no one has told them that and, in particular, dogs are drawn by the smell of chocolate.
Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Both chemicals are used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs and cats cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can.
The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to our furry friends. Baking chocolate and gourmet dark chocolate contain more highly concentrated levels of theobromine.
As well as keeping the family’s supply under careful supervision (and not just because of the dog or cat), be extra vigilant if you’re doing an Easter egg hunt at home. Count how many eggs have been hidden and, if possible, have a rough idea of where they all are.
One Easter after finishing the hunt with my children and thinking there were none left, my dog came round the corner with a foil wrapper hanging out of his mouth! He was actually better at finding them than the children - it was just a matter of getting to them before he did!
Signs of chocolate poisoning can take between six and twelve hours to appear and include:
Extreme thirst
Pacing or restlessness
Panting
Shaking
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive urination
Racing heart rate
Abnormal heart rhythm
Increased body temperature
Muscle tremors
Seizures
Lethargy
Heart failure
Collapse
Coma
But don’t wait until you see symptoms – call your vet immediately if you know your cat or dog has consumed chocolate.
Another Easter treat to avoid sharing with your pets is the Hot Cross bun. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are all potentially poisonous to dogs and cats. If eaten they can cause gut problems and in serious cases, kidney failure. The toxic dose varies from dog to dog and cat to cat, but in some cases, can be very small so don’t hesitate to call your vet if you suspect any of these fruits have been consumed.
Your furry friends do not need to share in all the yummy food we eat over Easter – I’m sure they would be much happier with a bone or lump of fresh meat.
Happy Easter!