Dogs Trust Leeds issues Easter warning as 'chocolate is toxic' to pups

Ahead of a weekend of chocolatey Easter eggs, the charity has issued a reminder to keep all chocolatey treats 'well away' from four-legged friends.

The team at Dogs Trust said 'chocolate is toxic to dogs' as it issued advice on how to keep pooches safe:

- Make sure children and visitors also know never to give your dog a treat

- Never leave chocolate unsupervised on tables on kitchen surfaces

- Make sure bins are dog proof

- Keep a close eye on your dog whilst out walking to avoid them scoffing down discarded food that is potentially harmful

- Teach your dog to 'leave' with top tips from Dog School

If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, you should seek immediate advice from your vet.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in pups can include vomiting, diarrhoea, excitability, excessive thirst, drooling, changes in heart rate and seizures.

The team tweeted: "We hope you have a wonderful #Easter weekend and remember to keep all those chocolatey treats well away from our four legged friends."

Josie Cocks, Dogs Trust Veterinary Surgeon explains the importance of not allowing dogs to eat human chocolate: “Chocolate can be poisonous to dogs, so owners should ensure they keep it out of reach of their four-legged friends.

"Whilst some chocolate is more toxic than others, any amount is potentially harmful to your dog.

“If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, we would advise owners to contact their vets immediately.

"Chocolate poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, excitability, drooling, seizures and potentially kidney and heart failure.”

Dogs Trust has also offered some 'easy treat' ideas to ensure dogs don't miss out on any Easter fun this weekend.

These include cucumber, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, apple (with no core), strawberries, sugarsnap peas, plain chicken (cooked, no bones), boiled egg (chopped) and fish (cooked).

Tamsin Durston, Canine Behaviour Officer at Dogs Trust offers some other suggestions: “There are plenty of exciting things we can do with our pets over the holiday weekend.

"Taking them on their own Easter hunt that includes dog-friendly treats instead of chocolate is a great way of bonding and giving our dogs lots of beneficial exercise.

"You can also save up your Easter egg boxes and put them to good use by building a small hurdle for your dog and getting them to jump over it, or hide their toys or treats in them for them to sniff out.

"You could even create a twist to last year’s Snoot Challenge by using the egg-shaped hole in the Easter egg box for your dog to pop their snoot through.

"Dog owners could build them their own Easter bunny burrow, or ‘Doggy Den’ so your furry friend has a cosy, comfortable place to sleep.”