Easter treats a no-no for pets

By Gabriel Garcia

Mar 31, 2023

Sweet danger: Pet owners are being warned not to feed their furry friends Easter treats such as chocolate and hot cross buns as they can lead to death. Photo by Megan Fisher

With Easter fast approaching, pet owners are being warned not to feed their furry friends any of their Easter treats.

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The warning comes from Compare the Market’s general insurance manager Adrian Taylor who said pet owners might struggle to cover the bill should their pets get sick on Easter goodies.

“Easter ... can also increase the risk of our cats and dogs needing emergency treatment if they eat something they shouldn’t,” Mr Taylor said.

Mr Taylor said Easter foods including chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, can cause harmful affects on cats, dogs and other pets.

“(Hot cross buns) are a dangerous treat to feed your pet,” he said.

“The traditional versions contain dried grapes, which are extremely toxic to dogs. Even some of the more modern hot cross buns contain ingredients like chocolate, which is also a big no-no for animals.”

The affect of chocolate on dogs can be life threatening as they can’t breakdown enzymes within chocolate which can result in serious health complications like vomiting, a rapid heart rate, breathing difficulty and diarrhoea.

Barbecue meats are also best avoided as meats cut for human consumption can contain high levels of fat and sugars which can cause deadly consequences to animals.

Mr Taylor said pet owners might find themselves out of pocket should their furry friends eat something not designed for them.

“The last thing we want is for families to be put under further financial strain over Easter if the worst were to happen to their pet,” he said.