With the financial institution vacation Easter weekend quick approaching, Dogs Trust Salisbury is reminding canine house owners to maintain chocolate out of attain of our four-legged pals.
As Easter eggs and different tasty cocoa treats discover their method into houses, the charity hopes to boost consciousness of the danger that the consumption of chocolate poses to our canine companions.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it incorporates a substance known as theobromine, which dogs and another animals wrestle to metabolise. Symptoms of theobromine poisoning embody vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme thirst, excitability, drooling, and doubtlessly seizures and deadly coronary heart issues. If you assume your canine has eaten chocolate, contact your vet instantly.
The charity advises:
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Never give your pooch any human chocolate as a deal with. Ensure that youngsters and guests perceive why and cling to this rule too.
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If you might be internet hosting an Easter egg hunt, ensure that your canine can’t discover the chocolate first by protecting them away from the world, or on a lead with fixed supervision.
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Make positive that bins are dog-proof to forestall them scavenging via garbage.
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Never depart any chocolate unsupervised, comparable to desserts cooling on worktop surfaces.
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Teach your canine to maneuver away from one thing once you ask them to ‘leave it’. This beneficial life talent will turn out to be useful in case your canine reaches for one thing they shouldn’t have.
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Keep an in depth eye in your canine while out walking, to keep away from them consuming discarded meals that’s doubtlessly dangerous.
Claire Rowe, Manager at Dogs Trust Salisbury Rehoming Centre says: “Although when it comes to our dogs we need to maintain a chocolate free zone, there are plenty of tasty treats they can enjoy, and join in the fun too.
“For example, taking them on their own Easter hunt around the house or garden that includes dog-friendly treats instead of chocolate is a great way of bonding and giving our dogs lots of stimulation.
“If you want to try something different, tasty treats they will happily hunt for include cucumber, carrot, strawberries and broccoli. If you hide those, they will have a much healthier Easter than perhaps many of us will!
“You could also use Easter egg boxes to hide their toys or treats in for them to sniff out. If you want to have a go at something a little bit different, set a couple of boxes a little distance apart and, holding your dog’s treats or favourite toy in one hand, slowly start to guide them in a figure of eight around the two boxes. Then reward your dog with a safe tasty treat or more games!”
For extra info and recommendation go to dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice
