This article is an advert sponsored by Burns Pet Nutrition but all the tail-wagging excitement is our own!
Easter is a time when we like to indulge, and sometimes overindulge with our loved ones and lots of chocolate eggs. This often includes treating our furry family members. However, did you know that some of your favourite foods, could actually be harmful for your pet?
Traditional Easter treats are often packed full of things that we shouldn’t feed to Fido. Which tasty treats do we need to hide from sneaky snouts?
The Big List Of Bad Foods
Chocolate, grapes, macadamia nuts, Xylitol and raisins can be toxic to dogs. This means that you should never give your dog traditional Easter treats like hot cross buns or chocolate eggs. Your dogs nose is made for smelling out food. It might be a good idea to keep them away from the Easter celebrations. At least until you know that all the food is locked away safely.
Here’s our big list of foods that you definitely shouldn’t give your dog this Easter:
- Easter Eggs
- Hot Cross Buns
- Sugar Free Sweets
- Garlic and Onions
- Cooked Bones
It’s all too easy to forget how clever our pets can be when food is around. Keep chocolates and sweets away from temptation. If you’re going to hide eggs in the garden, make sure they’re all accounted for before your dog steps outside to toilet.
Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Being Watched?
As everyone tucks into their Easter dinner, those big puppy eyes can start to tug at your heart strings. It’s definitely not a good idea to feed dogs from the table. A small amount of lamb, for example, is okay by itself. However, lamb bones can splinter, and excess fat can cause problems for your pooch. Why not give them a little Easter lunch of a few lean slices of lamb, with plainly cooked vegetables. Be aware of giving fatty foods or having them snapped off the table. These foods can increase the chances of pancreatitis.
Be Mindful Of Over Generous Relatives
You may have some visitors over this Easter. If you do, make sure they aren’t overly generous with your dog. Keep an eye out for Grandad slipping a piece of chocolate egg to the dog or toddlers who like to share sweets. Overeating is likely to result in tummy troubles.
Tasty Treats For Hungry Pups
To save on an Easter of digestive discomfort why not buy or make some healthy treats for your pets? Here are some of our favourites:
Quick & Crunchy Sweet Potato
For a more straightforward treat just scrub a sweet potato and cut into 1 cm strips. Pop this in the oven at 225F/100C for 3-4 hours turning them every ½ hour. You could also try using other root veg or apples.
Burns Carrot Bites
Don’t have time to cook? Burns Pet Nutrition has you covered with their selection of healthy and wholesome dog treats. Why not grab your dog a bag of Burns Carrot Bites? a super tasty crunch that packs a nutritional punch.
Hop on over to www.burnspet.co.uk for the Burns Bites selection.
Homemade Easter Biscuits
You could even be more adventurous and make homemade dog biscuits. All you will need is:
- 2 cups of oats
- oatmeal or brown rice flour
- ½ cup unsalted peanut butter
- A handful of grated carrot
- 2 eggs
To make these tasty biscuits, simply mix the ingredients together to form a dough. Roll this dough out and cut into shapes.
Pop the biscuits on to some baking parchment and bake for 20-30 mins (you can leave them longer if you want a crunchier biscuit). Gather a few together in some cellophane or fabric and tie up with a ribbon for a lovely homemade gift.
For more information on nutrition for your dog, visit www.burnspet.co.uk. For more great articles click here.
Happy Easter Dogs & Humans!
