As Easter nears, the presence of piles of chocolate eggs and other seasonal produce means animals who don’t know any better could put themselves in danger by nibbling at human treats.
We asked Dane Walker, Lead Veterinary Surgeon at Streatham Hill Veterinary Surgery, to share the most common emergencies his team sees around this time of year.
Pets eating your Easter eggs can trigger seizures.
Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is highly toxic to dogs, cats, and rabbits. Theobromine is related to caffeine and can have similar stimulant effects—essentially acting like an overdose in pets. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause serious health issues, including anxiety, vomiting, diarrhoea, elevated heart rate and body temperature, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
If you think your pet may have eaten chocolate, please call us immediately. In many cases, we can safely induce vomiting and monitor your pet if treatment is started early. We also have access to veterinary poison control resources to help determine the toxic dose based on the type and amount of chocolate consumed.
Having flowers in the house, like Lilies, can kill your cat.
Certain plants, including tulips, daffodils, and lilies can pose a significant risk to your pets. Even the water they sit in can be toxic to pets, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and worse.
Lilies are extremely dangerous to cats. Just brushing past a lily plant can lead to fatal poisoning. When cats groom themselves, they ingest the pollen, which can cause acute kidney failure, which is often fatal if not treated aggressively.
Any contact with lilies by cats should be considered very dangerous. Do not have them in your house or garden, no matter how lovely they look. Even small amounts of exposure can be deadly!
Help your cat avoid what poor Chip experienced.
We recently had a cat called Chip at our practice. Chip had no idea that playing with lilies could be so dangerous, but thankfully, his owner did. After spotting him near the toxic flowers, Chip’s owner acted quickly and brought him straight to the practice for urgent treatment.
Chip was placed on intravenous fluids for 48 hours to flush out any toxins. Blood tests were also conducted to monitor his kidney function.
We’re happy to report that because of Chip’s quick-thinking owner, there were no serious complications, and his blood tests showed no concerns. He’s now back home, getting up to his usual mischief.
His story is an important reminder to keep lilies well out of reach of cats and seek veterinary care immediately if exposure occurs.
Sneaking off with a hot cross bun can be deadly.
While these seasonal treats are delicious for humans, they can be extremely dangerous for dogs.
Currants, sultanas, and raisins can cause kidney failure, and even small amounts can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Although the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, the current recommendation is to induce vomiting (using medications at a veterinary clinic) as soon as possible after ingestion.
Often, a period of fluid therapy follows to help flush the kidneys and prevent long-term damage. So, please be sure to keep hot cross buns and any treats containing these ingredients well away from your dogs.
Don’t follow Poppy’s lead!
Just last year at our Streatham Hill Practice, we had Poppy who decided to sneak a few bites of her owners’ Hot Cross Buns, and she had no idea she was putting herself in danger.
Poppy’s owners acted fast and brought her straight to the practice, where vet Mimi was able to induce vomiting and prevent potential complications. Early intervention is crucial in cases like these, as prompt treatment can significantly improve a pet’s chances of recovery.
Poppy is now safe and back to her playful self, but her story serves as an important reminder for pet owners to keep Easter treats well out of reach.
What should pet owners do if they suspect poisoning?
“It’s important to act quickly and speak to your vet straight away,” Dane advises. “If your pet has ingested something harmful, save any packaging and write down as many details as possible – what they ate, how much, when it happened, and any symptoms they’re displaying.”
Signs of poisoning in pets include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Seizures
So, what’s Danes’ message to pet owners at Easter?
“Please keep a close eye on chocolate—we see multiple cases every year, especially around holidays – it’s completely avoidable. Raisins and grapes are also a serious concern. While some pets seem unaffected, even a very small amount can cause fatal kidney failure in others. It’s unpredictable and not worth the risk.
And for cat owners, please remember: lilies are extremely toxic to cats—even a brush with the pollen or a nibble on a leaf can lead to life-threatening kidney damage.
If you’re ever in doubt, call us early—prompt treatment can make all the difference. Our 24-hour team is always available, awake and ready to help at any time, all at a reasonable cost. Our emergency consultation is only £99, with a 10% discount on all emergency services for VIP members – to make sure your pet gets the care they need when it matters most”.
For more information or emergency assistance, visit streathamhillvets.co.uk or call into the practice in Streatham Hill.
