Posts Tagged ‘chocolate’

Spring Dangers & Threats to Your Pet

Spring is an exciting time of the year. The weather is improving and the prospect of enjoying time outdoors with your pet is becoming more of a reality after months indoors. All pet owners need to know the potential dangers springtime can bring to their pets and the best ways to avoid harmful accidents. Read our helpful tips on keeping your dog or cat away from danger. 

Outdoor Pet Dangers to Look Out For This Spring

Many items can be found in your garden during spring that can be highly toxic and, in some cases, deadly to your pet — even in the smallest quantities. 

Lily Plant

Lilies are a popular gift and a lovely addition to any garden or home, but if you have a cat, they can be extremely dangerous. Every part of the lily plant—leaves, petals, stems, pollen, and even the water in the vase—can cause kidney failure in cats, even in tiny amounts.

  • If you love having flowers at home, opt for cat-safe alternatives like orchids, roses, or sunflowers.
  • If you receive lilies as a gift, keep them well out of reach—or, better yet, choose to regift them to a non-cat-owning friend to keep your feline safe.

Visit the Cats Protection website for more advice on dangerous plants. 

Perennial Plant Bulbs

Spring bulbs bring vibrant colors to gardens, but many can be highly toxic to pets if ingested. Dogs, in particular, are prone to digging up and chewing on bulbs, unaware of the dangers they pose. Some common toxic bulbs include daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.

  • Store bulbs securely – Keep unplanted bulbs out of reach of pets, in sealed containers.

  • Choose pet-safe alternatives – Consider planting pet-friendly options like sunflowers.

  • Supervise outdoor time – If your pet enjoys exploring the garden, monitor them closely, especially in freshly planted areas.

Slug Pellets

Slug pellets containing metaldehyde are extremely toxic – ingestion of even small amounts will cause severe seizures. Instead of using toxic slug pellets, consider pet-safe alternatives, such as:

  • Crushed eggshells – These create a rough surface that slugs avoid.

  • Copper tape – Wrapping plant pots with copper tape acts as a natural deterrent.

  • Encouraging natural predators – Frogs, hedgehogs, and birds help control slug populations.

  • Organic, pet-safe pellets – Look for ferric phosphate-based pellets, which are much safer for pets.

Adders

While seemingly less likely than the other outdoor threats, Adders need to be considered by all pet owners whether in their gardens or out on walks. As the weather gets warmer, Adders wake up from their winter hibernation. Our overly inquisitive pets can encounter the UK’s only venomous native snake in many different scenarios and may attract a nasty bite if you aren’t too careful.

  • Woodlands, heathlands, and grasslands – Adders are commonly found in these natural habitats, especially in clearings or areas with long grasses.

  • Rocky or hilly areas, and near water – They often inhabit elevated or rocky terrain, as well as areas close to ponds or streams.

Ticks 

As the weather warms up, ticks become more active, posing a risk to pets that enjoy exploring grassy areas, woodlands, and even urban parks. These tiny parasites latch onto your pet’s skin, feeding on their blood and potentially transmitting harmful diseases like Lyme disease and Babesiosis.

  • Check regularly – After walks, inspect your pet’s fur, especially around the ears, neck, and between the toes. Ticks can be as small as a pinhead, so look carefully.

  • Use preventative treatments – Speak to your vet about tick-repellent treatments, including spot-on solutions, collars, or oral medications.

Read more on ticks here

Year-Round Pet Safety: Stay Alert in Every Season

As temperatures rise in summer, it’s also crucial to protect your pet from heat-related illnesses. Take a look at our tips for keeping your dog cool during the hottest months to ensure they stay comfortable and safe.

The warmer months aren’t the only time of year when pets face potential dangers—each season brings its own risks. For example, winter festivities can introduce hidden hazards, so be sure to check out our guide to keeping your pets safe at Christmas.

Act Fast in a Poison Emergency: Remember S.P.E.E.D!

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, every second counts. Follow the S.P.E.E.D method to act quickly and effectively:

S – Stop your pet from eating any more of the suspected toxin.

P – Phone your vet immediately.

E – Emergency appointment—seek urgent veterinary care.

E – Evidence—bring labels, samples, or vomit (safely contained) to help with diagnosis.

D – Don’t delay! Time is critical in poisoning cases.

If you’re unsure whether something your pet has eaten is dangerous, consult our Poisons Guide or contact your local Goddard vet for expert advice.

Poisons Guide
Practice Finder

An Easter menu is not for dogs!

Whilst you can enjoy being an Easter feaster this year, here’s how to keep your dog a happy bunny!

Chocolate eggs

More and more people are aware that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but do they appreciate quite how poisonous it can be, and why? It is the component theobromine within cocoa that is the nasty culprit, dogs simply can’t metabolize it with appropriate speed (thank goodness we as humans can!). So theobromine remains in the bloodstream and develops to toxic levels playing havoc with a dog’s nervous system and heart.

Even relatively meagre amounts of chocolate can cause death, especially in smaller dogs. However, the handy thing is that we have a reasonably good handle on how much cocoa it takes to harm a dog of a given size. Therefore, if you can find out how much cocoa a dog has consumed, any of our vets can indicate just how worried we should be and formulate an appropriate plan, which is likely to include making them vomit (it is important that you never make your dog vomit yourself). So what then, about white chocolate where cocoa content is low to nonexistent?  There is still a good chance of causing digestive upset, and maybe even pancreatitis.

Should your dog get their greedy paws on your Easter eggs this year, remember, the sooner the veterinary intervention, the better the outcome is likely to be. So hide those treats well, because in the case of chocolate, prevention is always better cure…

…and all the more for us then!

Hot cross buns, not hot cross tums

Just the thought of a toasted hot cross bun, slathered in melting butter is enough to get the taste buds tingling. Of course, your dog probably agrees! So how can such a tasty treat be so dangerous to dogs? It’s all about the currants in this case. Grape based products can contain toxins which attack the kidneys of dogs. This can lead to renal failure and even death.

The interesting (and scary) thing about all grape products is that there is no strict rule on toxic doses. A small amount of raisins could indeed prove fatal to one dog, yet cause only moderate signs of poisoning to the next, and none at all to another. This is another instance where a zero risk policy is best. Once again, in the event that your dog gets their mucky paws on a hot cross bun or similar, phone for advice ASAP.

 

Easter Simnel cake

Easter Simnel cake, another rich, fruity delight us humans enjoy at this time of year. But the list of dog-harmful contents within is likely to be extensive. We know there’s a problem with currants; almonds can be an issue too. While not strictly toxic to dogs, they can be hard to digest and cause stomach upset. The same applies to many of the other of the ingredients.

The calorific tastiness of this treat, as with many others, is in part enhanced by high fat content and should your mischievous mutt get hold of a sizeable chunk, they are at risk of acute pancreatitis, a very painful condition that will likely result in a stay at the vets.

A final word on commercially prepared goodies, some contain Xylitol, a compound worth avoiding by dogs altogether. Even small amounts can cause very serious symptoms including hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), liver failure and death.

Down in one!

An abundance of edible Easter treats generally means an abundance of packaging too. Ever caught your dog with something they know they shouldn’t have, and they’ve scoffed the lot before you can say ‘That’s still wrapped in plastic!’? Sadly, a hasty (or hungry) hound won’t likely take the time to distinguish between edibles and their packaging, and it’s this that can cause just as much bother.

The digestive system is a wonderful thing, but it meets its match when it comes to plastic which it simply won’t process. Worse, your dog could actually damage the gastrointestinal tract by consuming non-food items and could even require surgery to remove a life-threatening blockage.

We as vets brace ourselves over festive periods such as Easter, for just these types of emergencies, they truly seem to increase in frequency. In the event of any of the situations described, it is vital that you seek veterinary advice as soon as possible to ensure the best outcome for your dog. Enjoy your Easter treats, just remember to keep them to yourselves!

Our 3 hospital are open 24 hours over the Easter period and any concerns clients can call their normal practice number and they will be transferred to their closest hospital where advice or treatment can be sought.