This is the time when chocolate Easter bunnies and lovely Easter lilies are all around us…including our dogs & cats. Trupanion, the leader in medical insurance for pets, would like to remind pet owners that chocolate and lilies can be hazardous to dogs and cats and could lead to an emergency trip to your veterinarian.
Keep these 2 things away from your pets
1) Chocolate
“Chocolate contains a naturally occurring stimulant called theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. If enough theobromine is ingested it can be toxic to dogs and cats,” said Dr. Sarah Nold, staff veterinarian at Trupanion.
Trupanion traditionally sees a high number of chocolate toxicity claims around Easter. That said, pet owners should be cautious with chocolate around their pets year-round. Since 2015, Trupanion has paid out more than $1 million in chocolate ingestion claims.
Warning signs
Not sure whether your pup had its way with the Easter basket? Signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs will usually appear just hours after your pet ingests the treats, and symptoms may last up to three days after ingestion. Keep an eye out for these warning signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Restlessness
Increased urination
Tremors
Elevated or abnormal heart rate
2) Lilies
Easter lilies are bright, beautiful, and a staple floral decoration in the springtime. However, lilies are incredibly dangerous to our feline friends.
In fact, lily toxicity is one of Trupanion’s most common and one of the most expensive toxicity claims, with an average claim cost of nearly $800.
The toxins impact the kidneys and often cause symptoms like vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and appetite loss. Cats can develop tremors or go into seizures, and ingesting even a small piece of a lily plant can lead to kidney failure and death. Every part of the lily plant is toxic and cats can get sick even by licking pollen off their fur or drinking lily vase water.
There are plenty of other options for those who want to bring some fresh flowers and plants into their cat-friendly home this spring. Look for some cat-safe flowers like roses, snapdragons, gerbera daisies, sunflowers, or zinnias. Many herbs—like catnip—and ferns are also safe for pets and can help freshen the house and keep things green.
If you suspect that your dog or cat has eaten chocolate or ingested lilies and are showing warning signs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Heard from my Cici dog again, the fourth time now in a few weeks. She let me know she wanted to go for a walk, no one is walking her on the other side? Or she just wants to let me know that she is still watching out for me from over the rainbow.
These two cuties are up for adoption, am considering them. They are in Napa, CA at a rescue. Mack is the 6 year old black guy and Squid is the 10 year old female tan one.
loved the waterfalls, very scenic.
More info about Yosemite National Park
Ahawanee
Cici and I stayed at the Apple Blossom Inn, lovely place, apple orchard, not far from Yosemite.
Mariposa
Small town, not too dog friendly when we were there years ago. Maybe it has changed?