Easter Enjoyment: What’s Safe for Your Dog and What’s Not?

Easter is a time for family, fun and delicious food! But while you’re enjoying chocolate eggs and an amazing Sunday roast, it’s important to remember that some Easter goodies can be dangerous for your furry friend. To keep your dog safe and happy this Easter, here’s a guide to what dogs can and cannot eat during the Easter fun. 

Easter Foods Your Dog Can Eat 

While Easter isn’t all bad news for dogs, it’s important to stick to safe, dog-friendly foods:

• Carrots 
• Carrots are a great, crunchy snack for dogs. They’re packed with vitamins and can even help clean their teeth!  
• Dog Safe Chocolate Easter Eggs - pet shops have invented an alternative to chocolate eggs – a doggy safe version! This allows your dog to enjoy the holiday food while being safe. Ensuring they’re not missing out on the scrumptious food this Easter, check your local pet shop and see if they’re selling dog friendly eggs!  
• Lean Mears (Turkey, Chicken, Lamb) - dogs can enjoy lean cuts of turkey, chicken and lamb, as long as they are plain, fully cooked and free from seasoning, sauces or bones. 
• Sweet Potatoes - these are a healthy treat for dogs when baked or boiled without butter, sugar or spices. Your four-legged friend will love them mashed and it’s a great enrichment idea to spread the mashed sweet potatoes onto a slow feeder mat to keep them occupied while eating  
• Green Beans and Peas - veggies are a great source of fiber and vitamins for your pup. Just be sure they’re plain and not part of a casserole with harmful ingredients like onions or garlic.

Easter Foods Your Dog Cannot Eat

Unfortunately, many Easter treats are dangerous for dogs. Here’s what to keep far away from your pooch: 

• Chocolate - this contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures or worse. Keep all Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies out of reach. If you’re hosting an egg hunt, be sure to not allow your dog near the chocolate eggs! 
• Hot Cross Buns - raisins and currants (often found in hot cross buns) are highly toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney failure, even in small amounts. So, make sure these delicious treats are out of reach of your dog. 
• Easter Sweets - many sugar-free sweets contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely dangerous to dogs. It can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to seizures, liver failure or death. So, the best practice is to not give your dog any kind of human sweets – stick to dog treats! 
• Lamb Bones - while meat is fine, bones, especially cooked ones can splinter and cause choking or digestive blockages.

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How to Keep Your Dog Safe This Easter

Keep Easter treats out of reach – Store chocolate, hot cross buns and sweets in high places where your dog can’t get to them. 

Remind guests – Make sure visitors, especially children know not to feed your dog anything without asking. Know the signs of poisoning – If your pooch eats something toxic, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors or lethargy. Call your vet immediately if you suspect they’ve eaten something harmful. 

Easter should be a time of joy for everyone—including your dog! By being mindful of what foods are safe and what to avoid, you can ensure your furry friend enjoys the fun just as much as you do.