Avoid Being An Egg This Easter! How To Protect Your Pets At The Sweetest Time Of Year

Easter often involves indulging in delectable delights
like chocolate bunnies and eggs, and maybe even the uneaten
half of that hot cross bun. Be wary though, as while these
treats tickle our taste buds, they can spell disaster for
our pets.

As Easter festivities hop into full swing,
Southern Cross Pet
Insurance is reminding owners of the danger cocoa-based
treats can pose to their furry family
members.

Chocolate, the quintessential Easter staple,
contains theobromine which is toxic to cats and dogs.
Ingestion can lead to symptoms ranging from vomiting and
diarrhoea to tremors, seizures, and even
death.

Southern Cross-insured Mia the whippet
dog’s[1]
love for eating all things in the way landed her in a sticky
situation not long ago. Mia couldn't resist the temptation
of a peppermint chocolate bar that was nestled away in her
owner’s handbag.

Luckily for Mia, her owners were
quick to react, and Mia made a full recovery following
prompt veterinary treatment where she was made to throw it
all back up, resulting in over $1,500 in vet
costs.

Southern Cross Pet Insurance National Sales
Manager, and former Vet Nurse, Kerri Murray said, “We paid
out over $300,000 for pet insurance claims for pet
consumption of chocolate, raisins, and other harmful foods
in 2022. The road to recovery can be very costly, especially
if you don’t have insurance to help foot the bill for
treatment.”

Murray said while many know not to feed
their pets chocolate, it’s the kitchen bench surfers that
can catch owners off guard and grab that treat you put away
for later.

“Easter is a time for joy and
celebration, but it's important to remember that some of our
favourite treats can be harmful to our pets.”

Murray
added that it’s important to not only keep an eye out for
what you leave around but keep a watchful eye over where
your family leaves their treats.

“It’s easy to
move your attention for just a moment and your child has
left their half-eaten easter egg laying on the couch, just
in reach for your hungry pooch to devour
it.”

Additionally, Murray has highlighted chocolate
treats might not be the only things to watch out for these
holidays, with Easter lilies expected to be in
bloom.

“It’s also important to stay vigilant
around Easter lilies, as they, and other lilies, are very
toxic to cats, and not at all pleasant for our canine
pals.”

Southern Cross Pet Insurance has pulled
together some important tips to keep your dog safe this
Easter:

• Store chocolate
  securely: Keep all chocolate eggs, bunnies, and
  candies out of reach of your dog. This includes hidden
  Easter eggs during Easter egg hunts – canine family
  members will unfortunately have to sit this one
  out.
  • Top tip – make sure you count how many easter
    eggs you put out and how many are found, keeping our loved
    ones away from the action until they are all accounted
    for.
• Beware of baked
  goods: Hot-cross buns, Chocolate chip cookies,
  brownies, and cakes are also tempting for dogs and should be
  kept out of their reach.
• Educate your
  guests: If you're hosting an Easter gathering,
  remind guests not to share chocolate with your dog, and to
  keep it out of reach.
• Know the signs of
  chocolate poisoning: If you suspect your dog has
  eaten chocolate, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive
  thirst, tremors, or seizures. Seek immediate veterinary
  attention.

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