Healthy dog: Some Easter foods are dangerous for dogs

Before you sit down at the Easter table, take a few minutes to think about Easter foods dangerous for dogs.

All that delicious food and festive desserts are a delight for humans, but they can pose grave health threats and even cause death for your furry friend.

Unfortunately, holiday guests will often give dogs food from the table or food will spill — so take care to make sure none of it threatens your dog’s health and safety.

Easter foods dangerous for dogs

Chocolate

Chocolate eggs, bunnies, and cakes may look beautiful, but chocolate can be deadly for dogs. I’m sure many times you heard that cocoa candy contains theobromine, which is poisonous to our animals. Eating theobromine makes your dog’s body produce large amounts of adrenaline, which accelerates the heart rate and can lead to a heart attack.

Dogs must never consume chocolate, cocoa cakes, or any desserts containing chocolate. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous, but even a milk chocolate bunny could be deadly for a small dog like a Yorkie or Chihuahua.

Easter sweets

Sweets purchased in stores often contain the sweetener xylitol, also known as birch sugar. The sweetener can cause blood sugar fluctuations in people, but for dogs, it may lead to a very rapid drop in sugar levels. If consumed in a large amount, it can cause seizures and even death.

Sugars consumed over a prolonged period can lead to obesity, dental problems, and diabetes. Xylitol also can damage the digestive system. So that means no jelly beans, cakes, or any other desserts for your dog.

Raisins

People love cheesecakes, Easter babkas, but most of these desserts contain raisins, which could be lethal for your dogs.

For dogs, the fatal dosage is small — 10 grams of raisins per 2 pounds of body weight. Raisins damage the kidneys, and after 3-4 days can lead to death. The first symptoms of poisoning are apathy and lack of appetite. If your dog accidentally consumes raisins, immediately take him to the veterinarian so that he can maintain the proper flow of urine. A few raisins can cause permanent kidney damage.

Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are poisonous to our pets. The life-threatening dose is small only 2.2 grams for a little dog. A small dog after consuming a single nut can experience vomiting, muscle tremors and even paralysis of back legs. Symptoms are visible after about 12 hours after eating a nut.

If you suspect your dog may have eaten macadamia nuts, immediately contact your veterinarian.

Sausages

In many families, Easter sausage is a tradition and since it’s meat as long as is not spiced should not harm your pet. The more significant concern is what kind of casing has been used for the sausage.  Currently, many sausages are packed in synthetic (plastic) casings, which can block the dog’s digestive tract or stick to the stomach or intestinal wall. Those casing can cause vomiting, apathy, diarrhea, and malaise.

Poultry bones

Poultry bones after the cooking process break down into sharp and long fragments. Dogs, unlike humans, usually don’t take time to chew their food. Most dogs immediately swallow, which can cause the bone splinters to penetrate the pet’s digestive tract. Many dogs have very sensitive digestive tracts and cannot eat any cooked bones at all; it causes upset stomachs and diarrhea. Be safe, not sorry, and keep your pet away from all cooked bones.

Coffee and alcohol

At the Easter table, we often enjoy a cup of coffee made with our espresso maker, a drink, or a glass of wine. These drinks are absolute no-nos for your dog!

Caffeine in coffee causes heart palpitations. Hops, used in beer, can cause the dog’s body temperature to rise uncontrollably, which leads to the failure of most internal organs. Alcohol intoxication in animals can cause a coma or death. Alcoholic beverages tempt dogs with sweetness and aroma, so be sure to keep glasses with drinks, beer, and liqueurs out of reach.

If you want your furry family member to have something special for Easter, your best bet is to make your healthy treat. You can even use the same cookie cutters you use for your family to create dog treats shaped like eggs, carrots, or bunnies. Or you can splurge and buy something special at a doggy bakery.

Stay safe

Make your Easter holiday safe, fun, and enjoyable for all the members of your family whether human or canine by keeping Easter foods dangerous for dogs away from your pet.

Mira Alicki is a jewelry designer and goldsmith for the past 22 years. Her passion for animals led her to create her line of jewelry and online store to benefit charities. 40% of each purchase is donated back to the animal community. You can find Mira on Twitter or Forever In My Heart.