Now that Easter is here, the blooming flowers, bright days and sweet treats will be on everyone’s mind. However, some of these can be a risk for our furry friends. In fact, it is reported that 4.6 million dog owners believe their pet has fallen ill after consuming something poisonous whilst on a walk.
The experts at Puppy Hero wanted to outline the most typical risks to our canine friends throughout spring and provide advice on how to keep them safe during the warmer months. In order to do this, they examined a number of threats and determined which are the most important to keep dogs safe this season.
Common risks for your dog this spring:
Food and drink
Chocolate: Easter is known for its chocolate treats and sweet desserts, but chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, which works similarly to caffeine and is poisonous to dogs. The best thing is to keep Easter eggs out of reach and make sure to supervise when the rich treat is being indulged in.
Hot cross buns: A famous baked good, hot cross buns contain grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas. These are toxic to dogs and could be a choking hazard. The best way to stop dogs from getting these is by disposing of leftovers correctly.
Spring onions: Typically a topping or meal enhancer, this vegetable can cause stomach irritation and red blood cell damage leading to anaemia. In general, all types of onions can have a negative impact on our pooches, so it is best to get rid of any leftovers carefully.
Flowers and plants
Daffodils: Representative of rebirth and new beginnings, the spring flower daffodil may look pretty. Unfortunately, however, a daffodil bulb is poisonous and can trigger severe vomiting and diarrhoea in our pets. It is best to avoid planting daffodils in your garden and keep an eye on your dog during walks.
Tulips, amaryllis and hyacinth: These flower bulbs aren’t as lethal as daffodils, but if they are eaten in large quantities, these spring flowers can irritate a dog’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract, resulting in drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. In serious cases, some may suffer heart problems and breathing difficulties. To avoid this happening, it is recommended to stay clear.
Rhododendrons and azaleas: Pretty in pink, these flowers are deceiving. They contain a highly toxic substance called grayanotoxin that can cause nausea, vomiting and breathing difficulties if eaten by your pooch. The best thing to do when picking your flower seeds is to opt for pet-friendly ornamental flowering shrubs.
Buttercups: This bold and bright yellow flower symbolises purity, happiness and friendship. But deep in their core, they are poisonous and toxic for dogs to consume. These little rays of brightness can cause drooling, vomiting and seizures in our pets. Therefore, extra care in overgrown fields and meadows is required.
Garden
Fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides: These are commonly used to combat pests, insects and diseases. Although they aren’t a huge risk to dogs, if direct contact such as brushing against them or swallowing occurs, our furry friends may be at risk from life-threatening poisoning, which can result in clinical signs of drooling, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cocoa mulch: This can be great to increase soil vitality and can improve the attractiveness of flower beds. However, like chocolate, the soil contains theobromine, which is lethal to dogs. Try to use this mulch sparingly. If your dog has consumed it, then make sure to seek veterinary help as quickly as possible.
Slug and snail pellets: Pellets are another chemical used to deter garden pests. Snails come out of hibernation in the warmer months such as April, and the pellets used to control them can be toxic to our pets. To ensure you get rid of the pests whilst maintaining a healthy and safe life for your pup, avoid products that contain metaldehyde, and scatter pellets sporadically.
Out and about
Wasps and bees: Everyone knows how much these stripy, flying insects love flowers, and spring can be the season when we see them most! Curiosity always gets the better of our furry friends, which can lead to a nasty sting on the nose. Most stings are not emergencies. However, if the sting is in the mouth or neck, or the dog turns out to be allergic, then veterinary help may be essential.
Slugs and snails: In almost every garden you will find these slow-moving, slimy creatures. Whilst they seem harmless, where dogs are concerned, it is extremely important to keep the two away from each other. Unfortunately, a fatal disease called Lungworm comes from eating slugs and snails, as they carry the parasite. To avoid your dog catching this, you should make sure you keep your dog up to date with worming treatments.
Plastic Easter grass: An alternative to natural grass, which can deceive the pet’s eye. If an animal or pet ingests this, it won’t poison them, but it can lead to intestinal blockage, just like other plastic items such as toys or bones. Substitute tissue paper for plastic grass, and make sure to see a vet if pets have ingested anything plastic.
Wendy Andrew (‘The Pet Loss Lady’), Founder of The Scottish Pet Bereavement Counselling Service, commented on how certain objects and foods can have a negative effect on dogs.
‘As an experienced caregiver, it is best to walk dogs in rural locations for safety reasons, the risk of toxicity is lower this way. Any dogs I have concerns about when taking them out, I insist they wear a muzzle for their own protection. It is a simple and potentially life-saving solution. Professional walkers need to have an awareness of the harms of wildlife which includes flowers, plants and insects. Especially native species such as giant hogweed, hemlock and horse chestnut when out – these are often forgotten.’
Methodology
- Puppy Hero wanted to uncover the most common dangers for your dog this spring and how you can keep them safe.
- To do this, they identified which spring dangers are a risk to dogs and how to resolve these issues through articles such as VetsNow.com, HouseBeautiful and Drakecenter.com to find the best results for dog owners this spring.
- Puppy Hero then researched the dangers mentioned, particularly the effect they can have on the dog as well as what to do as an alternative to prevent this harm, in order to conclude which springtime risks are the most harmful to dogs.
- All data was collected on 20 March 2023 and is accurate as of then, but subject to change.
Editor’s note: Submitted by a journalist doing publicity for Puppy Hero, who only gave us her first name. With thanks to https://puppyhero.com/, who commissioned the data.
