Easter Safety Tips for Dogs
Easter is a wonderful and joy filled holiday. And your dog will want to join the festivities so take a few moments to check out the following Easter Safety Tips for Dogs.
We want to keep our little “Easter Chihuahuas ” and your best friend(s) safe and happy during the holiday and afterward.
The precautions are necessary because some holiday decorations and treats can be harmful, if not fatal, to Fido. So take a minute and read thru a few excerpted helpful tips from these experts and keep your best friend safe and healthy this holiday weekend and beyond.
Keep Your Dog SAFE with the
following Easter Safety Tips for Dogs
“Easter Baskets
Baskets filled with goodies are a big hit on Easter. While Easter
grass may make the basket look inviting, it can also be very
dangerous to animals. If ingested, Easter grass can cause a serious
intestinal blockage that may require surgery. Instead use a safer
alternative such as straw, tissue paper, or newspaper shredding to
fill the basket.
Easter Lilies
Easter lilies are bright and decorative but are poisonous to dogs,
and can cause kidney failure. Keep all Easter lilies in a
spot where your pet cannot access them. Another option would be to
purchase more pet-friendly plants such as Easter orchids or Easter
daisies.
Candy–Especially Chocolate
Easter time brings a lot of candy to the household, especially
chocolate. And just like most people, pets love chocolate. The big
difference is that chocolate can make animals very sick and
possibly kill them. So keep all candy, especially chocolate away
from your pets at all times. ”
END SPCLA.COM
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“Chocolate has a high fat content and contains caffeine and
theobromine, which stimulates the nervous system and can be toxic if
taken in large amounts. Depending on the type of chocolate ingested
and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. White chocolate
has the least amount of stimulants and baking chocolate has the
highest. Here is a list of the most common sources of chocolate and
the amount leading to toxicity:
White Chocolate:
Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 45 ounces
per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe toxicity occurs when
90 ounces per pound of body weight in ingested. This means that a
20-pound dog would need to ingest at least 55 pounds of white
chocolate to cause nervous system signs….
These high amounts mean that theobromine toxicity from white
chocolate is highly unlikely.
Milk Chocolate:
Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.7 ounces
per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when 2
ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. This means that a
little less than one pound of milk chocolate can be toxic to the
nervous system of a 20-pound dog. A 10-pound cat would need to
ingest 1/2 pound.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate:
Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 1/3
ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur
when 1 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. This means
that as little as 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate can be toxic
to the nervous system of a 20-pound dog…
Instant Cocoa:
Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 1/3 ounce per
pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when 1 ounce
per pound of body weight is ingested. This means that as little as
6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate can be toxic to the nervous system
of a 20-pound dog…
Baking Chocolate: Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.1 ounce
per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe signs occur when 0.3
ounce per pound of body weight is ingested. Two small one-ounce
squares of baking chocolate can be toxic to a 20-pound dog… This
type of chocolate has the highest concentration of caffeine and
theobromine and very little needs to be ingested before signs of
illness become apparent.
Once toxic levels are eaten, you may notice restlessness,
hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination, and excessive
panting. The high fat content in chocolate can also cause vomiting
and diarrhea.
Make sure that chocolate is kept in a safe place. If you suspect
your pet has eaten chocolate, consult your veterinarian
immediately. Animals treated for chocolate toxicity generally
recover and return to normal within 24 to 48 hours.”
END..V. Wells, Petplace.com