Warning for dog owners ahead of Easter weekend

Dog Welfare charity Dogs Trust is issuing a stark warning to dog owners in Ireland, ahead of the Easter weekend.

One of the highlights of our easter holidays is chocolate, and many families will sit down to open their easter eggs, most of which are made with chocolate.

Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs, as it contains theobromine, which is a substance that they cannot metabolise effectively.

Small amounts can cause serious illnesses; common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, seizures, and heart or kidney failure.

Dogs Trust is urging owners who think their dogs have ingested any amount of chocolate.

There are a lot of other seemingly normal foods for humans that are toxic to dogs, including things like raisins, which are often found in pastries like hot cross buns.

Even spring flowers like daffodils can be dangerous, especially if dogs drink the water they are kept in.

Niamh Curran-Kelly, Veterinary and Welfare Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, said: “The easiest way to keep your dog safe this Easter is to ensure that chocolate and other treats are kept well away from furry friends.

“Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so storing these items in an airtight container, up high, is the safest option.

“Now is a great time to remind children that their treats are not to be shared with dogs, no matter how cute their ‘puppy dog eyes’ are!”

Niamh spoke about the importance of remaining vigilant about what your dog has eaten or been in contact with.

“It's also important to be vigilant when out on walks and make sure your dog doesn't eat anything that might have accidentally been left behind during an Easter egg hunt.

“We always recommend storing your vet's emergency out-of-hours contact number in your phone, just in case you need it.

“As with any type of poisoning, the quicker your dog gets help, the better their chances are of making a full recovery.”

In many pet shops, there are a plethora of dog-friendly treats available, or you could even make one if you didn't want to leave your furry friend out of the Easter fun.