The abundance of chocolate at Easter poses a threat to our pets. Chocolate is poisonous due to its theobromine content. The darker the chocolate, the higher the theobromine concentration, and the higher the potential risk to our pets, if ingested. If you are planning an Easter egg hunt or have lots of Easter chocolate treats around the house, please make sure they are well out of reach of your pets, and all eggs are accounted for before you let your pet play in the garden.
Hot cross buns and simnel cake, although delicious for us, contain raisins, currants, and sultanas, all of which are potentially toxic to our four-legged friends. They can cause sickness and diarrhoea and, in some cases, kidney failure.
Basket grass and small toys can be harmful when ingested. They can cause intestinal trauma and blockages that could require surgery to remove and repair. Cats, for reasons unknown to us, are attracted to long and thin decorations, of which the basket grass is similar.
Whilst lilies are known to be toxic to our pets (especially cats), other seasonal plants, including daffodils, tulips and foxgloves can also cause damage. Please ensure that any flowers in the house are kept at height and any flowers in the garden (including the bulbs) are monitored closely for any signs of ingestion.
Bunnies and Chicks are animals who require a lot of specific care and love. They should NOT be given as an impulse gift for Easter no matter how cute you think it might be- thousands are abandoned each year due lack of awareness of care and dedication and commitment that is needed to raise. If you are considering these kind of pets, please research it thoroughly before making that decision.
All the staff at Boroughbridge Vets wish you a happy Easter! Please be aware of the seasonal changes to our opening hours – see our homepage for details www.boroughbridgevets.com
You can read more about this in our separate blog here: https://www.boroughbridgevets.com/chocolate-poisoning-why-is-chocolate-bad-for-our-dogs/