Easter Toxins and Your Dogs and Cats

Easter Toxins and Your Dogs and Cats

Easter Lilies and other Lily Plants
Eating just one leaf of this toxic plant can result in severe poisoning and within a short time your dog or cat will show signs of toxicity. After ingestion, your cat may stop eating and begin vomiting. As the toxins begin to affect the kidneys, your pet may become lethargic, and within five days, kidney failure will cause death. While toxicity has never been proven in dogs it is just better to keep this plant away from all of your 4 legged family members.







Chocolate
Varies in toxicity depending on the type of chocolate and the amount your dog or cat ingests. Chocolate contains caffeine and a something called theobromine, which stimulates the nervous system and is toxic to animals. If enough is ingested, your dog or cat can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and worst-case scenario, death.

Easter Grass
The plastic component of Easter grass is non-digestible, and can get tangled in a dog’s or cat’s intestines. This can lead to a blockage and potential perforation. If ingested, the grass can cause choking or become lodged inside the stomach or intestines, creating an obstruction. Signs of obstruction are loss of appetite and vomiting. It is an emergency if dogs or cats ingest even a small amount is eaten.

Plastic Easter Eggs
Present a choking hazard to dogs. If your dog participates in the Easter egg hunt make sure they do not try and eat the egg or open it to get to the chocolate or candy inside.

Xylitol
An artificial sweetener found in gum, candy, and some baked goods. Xylitol can be so toxic to dogs and cats that within 30 minutes of consuming a small amount of a Xylitol-sweetened product, a dog can experience a dramatic drop in blood sugar, begin vomiting, become lethargic and have difficulty standing or walking. An immediate trip to the emergency vet is necessary.