Recent research has revealed that only 8 in 10 people realise that chocolate is toxic, and potentially fatal, for dogs.
According to the research, some 18 percent of people might not know just how unwell the popular junk food can make our pups. And that is despite chocolate being one of the more well-known foods that we should be keeping away from both dogs and cats.
With that in mind, the experts at Go.Compare have put together a list of the treats and items you’ll want to keep out of reach from your pets.
All of the dangerous items can often be found around the home during Easter. During this period pet owners should be extra vigilant as the mix of excitement and dangerous foods could lead to a costly vet trip.
Below are five items that should be kept out of reach to ensure that your four legged are happy and healthy during the holiday:
- Easter chocolate – contains caffeine and theobromine, which are both dangerous to cats and dogs, and can even be fatal in large quantities.
- Hot cross buns – these contain dried fruit like currants, raisins or sultanas, which are all toxic even in very small quantities, and can even cause kidney failure.
- Simnel cake – similarly, this classic Easter bake contains dried fruit and should be kept away from pets.
- Cooked bones – if you are enjoying an Easter roast, avoid giving any cooked bones to your pets as they become brittle and can splinter, posing a choking risk.
- Spring bulbs and flowers – many spring bulbs and blooms are toxic to dogs, including daffodils, tulips, bluebells, rhododendrons and azaleas.
Ceri McMillan, pet expert at Go.Compare, said: "A surprising number of our favourite Easter treats are a big no-no for both cats and dogs.
"Many people know that chocolate is toxic when ingested, but raisins and sultanas can be deadly too – and these are a key ingredient of the seasonal favourite, the hot cross bun, as well as Simnel cake.
"Sharing even a small amount of these sweet treats with your pets could be deadly, as they can suffer kidney failure after ingesting just a few dried fruits or grapes."
The expert also explained what you should do in the unfortunate instance in which your pet ends up ingesting any of these dangerous items.
“If you suspect your cat or dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, don’t wait until you see symptoms – call your vet and ask their advice as soon as you can. If possible, keep any packaging and write down details of what you think your pet has ingested and when, as this will help your vet decide the best course of action.
"Finally, check you have adequate pet insurance in place. Policies vary a lot in terms of the level of cover they provide, so it’s important to take the time to compare the options available.
"Use a comparison site to benchmark policies against each other and choose the option that suits you and your pet best."
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