Keep Your Dog Safe This Easter
Eastertime is synonymous with chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, and sweet treats like chocolate-coated raisins and nuts. It’s a time for family and friends to come together to share good food and have fun and, when there are small children around, there’s also the excitement of a traditional Easter egg hunt. Early on Easter Sunday morning, children clutching bags or baskets set off to search for Easter eggs that the ubiquitous Easter bunny hid in the garden … and soon there are chocolate-smeared faces, sticky little hands clinging to a stash of sweet goodies, and happy children running around, fuelled by sugar and caffeine.
There’s no shortage of sweet things to eat at Easter – but all of them are toxic to dogs so it’s important that dog parents are hyper vigilant during the Easter season – especially when there’s a dog with a sweet tooth that will find and eat any chocolate, hot cross buns, and other Easter goodies. Remember that dogs are inherently opportunistic scavengers and given half a chance, they will get up to mischief and eat things they shouldn’t – and you don’t want your Easter ruined by an emergency visit to the vet.
There’s a lot more chocolate around at Easter and this makes it more likely that your dog may find some and eat it, so don’t leave a bowl of Easter eggs on the coffee table. It may make a brightly coloured Easter arrangement, but it’s a disaster waiting to happen when there are dogs around. Pack all chocolate away in a cupboard or the fridge where it will be safe. Educating children is vital so make sure young children are informed of the dangers of sharing their chocolate and hot cross buns with the family dog.
Things to keep out of your dog’s reach:
Chocolate
Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs can’t metabolise in the same way us humans can and, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is for your dog. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness or agitation, an elevated heart rate, seizures and even heart failure. White chocolate won’t cause chocolate poisoning, but it can cause pancreatitis, which is life-threatening.
Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns are a family favourite especially when they’re toasted and eaten warm, dripping with melted butter and honey. But, even if your dog is part of the family, they can’t share your hot cross buns. It’s not quite understood why grapes and sultanas are so toxic to some dogs and not others, but even a small amount can cause serious illness or even death so don’t even take the risk.
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are a big no-no for dogs. If your dog has eaten macadamias, take them to the vet immediately because the symptoms of poisoning only begin after about 12 hours. Symptoms include weakness and an inability to walk, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia.
Any sweet treats, especially low-sugar options that contain xylitol
Dogs often get diarrhoea and vomiting when they’ve eaten too many sweet things. Xylitol, the artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free candies is extremely toxic to dogs even in small amounts.
Fruit cake
Keep fruit cake in a cake tin because your dog may not survive all the raisins, sultanas and currents in a slice of fruit cake if they eat it.
Easter baskets
An Easter gift basket filled with chocolates, macadamia nuts, fruit cake and other goodies must be kept in a safe place on a high shelf out of a dog’s reach.
Dogs don’t have to miss out and, if you want to treat your dog this Easter, here is a healthy, dog-safe option your dog will love!
No-Bake Almond and Carrot Easter Eggs for Dogs
Rolled oats are a great source of soluble fibre to support digestion and promote regular bowel movements, while also helping to regulate blood sugar levels and provide slow-release energy.
Almond flour provides healthy fats that support skin and coat health, provide energy, and promotes digestive health.
Cinnamon adds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, helps freshen breath, and may support insulin sensitivity in diabetic dogs.
Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which supports eye health, dietary fibre for digestion.
Peanut butter is high in healthy fats, as well as vitamins that support brain function and a healthy coat.
Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may benefit cognitive function, skin and coat health, and offer anti-inflammatory effects.
These treats are high in fat, so they should be used sparingly – especially for dogs with pancreatitis, liver disease, or kidney issues.
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- 3 tbsp almond flour
- 1 tbsp psyllium husks
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup finely grated carrots
- 1 tbsp peanut butter (salt-, sugar- and xylitol-free)
- 1 tsp coconut oil, warmed to liquid
- 2 tsp water
- Put the oats in a food processor and blitz well, and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add the rest of the dry ingredients to the oats and mix.
- Add the grated carrots, peanut butter, coconut oil and water to the food processor and blitz well.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
- Use your hands to roll small egg-shaped balls.
- Place the eggs on a plate and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to set before serving.
- Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for 5-7 days, or frozen for longer storage.
