It’s that time of year…the Easter Bunny is stocking up on deliveries for young Coasties. But it’s not just a case of “keep out of hands of children”, pet owners also need to be careful any secret stash is not discovered by the furbabies of the family.
Easter treats are not so sweet for certain breeds.
In fact they can be deadly.
You know that chocolate is poison for pups, but there are other Easter treats that your pet shouldn’t get…like the seafood dinner, the roast turkey, marshmallow bunnies, and the eggs of the non-chocolate kind are also a no-go for your pooch unless they are fully cooked (the eggs, not your dog).
Star104.5’s Resident Vet Dr Claire says they always see an increase of cases of pet poisoning from supposedly innocent sweets around Easter and Christmastime. Dogs love the smell of the stuff but their bodies do not like the ingredient called theobromine – it affects their central nervous system and can even be fatal. Sultanas in hot cross buns are just as bad, they’ve been known to cause renal failure in dogs, but no one knows why.
Other Easter type treats among the human food harmful to dogs:
- Prawns or certain other seafood can contain small amounts of mercury, and the raw kind can carry salmonella (including salmon)
- Fat trimmings off the ham bone can cause pancreatitis
- Cooked bones can splinter and become a choking hazard
- Corn on the cob
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions, Garlic, or spices containing capsaicin (chilli powder, paprika, and peppers)
- Mushrooms can take your pet on a very bad trip.
- While you can have an avo, your dog cannot – especially the pit. Best avoid apples as well, plus persimmons, peaches and plums.
- Grapes & raisins are definite no-nos for Fido.
- And don’t share your dessert with the dog either … cinnamon and canines do not play well together; Ice Cream is hard to digest and can cause lactose intolerance in some breeds (you do not want to pick up the poochy poop that can be the end result)!
Try the dog-friendly range instead, or treat your furry friends to a ‘puppacino’. There are dozens of eateries across the Coast offering pet-friendly dining, from Avoca beach to Yattalunga.
While laws previously prevented dogs from being within 10m of a food consumption or preparation area, there are now plenty of places that you and your furry friends can stop for a cuppa – just make it a decaf for your 4 legged friend (caffeine is also dangerous for dogs).
Some of the pet-friendly places on the Central Coast include:
- RSCPA’s Cranky Flea Café at Tuggerah
- Bamboo Buddha at Holgate
- Splash Café & Restaurant at Terrigal Haven
- Café Cressa Kincumber
- Kincumber Hotel
- The Little Teapot Café Davistown
- MacMasters Beach Kiosk
- Impact Plants Nursery & Café at Empire Bay
- Lotus Café Wamberal
- The Dog Café Narara
- The Pet House Erina
Places like Killcare beach are dog-friendly and so are most of the restaurants nearby. Hardys Bay is another spot popular for Spot – the Club and Hardy’s Bistro, Café and Bar let you paws for a cuppa with your pet.
Just be mindful that owners can give their dogs a drink but cannot buy ‘human food’ for them; dangerous and restricted dog breeds are also prohibited in these public places.
But as always, remember to keep your pooch on a leash unless otherwise signposted, and be sure to pick up their poop!
If your dog is experiencing even minor symptoms like weakness, lack of coordination, vomiting or diarrhoea, and you think they may have consumed something they shouldn’t have, seek a veterinarian’s attention immediately. If you wait too long, it might be too late.
Dr Claire and her crew offer 24/7 emergency care at the centre in Manns Road West Gosford. Phone 02 4323 3886.
