RSPCA Victoria is reminding Victorians to keep toxic treats away from their pets ahead of the Easter holiday period.

Dr Melissa Meehan, Director of Veterinary Services at RSPCA Victoria, says Easter is a hazardous time for dogs and cats.

“Easter is potentially a very dangerous time of year for your pets,” Dr Meehan said.

“Most people know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but other food like hot cross buns are also dangerous, because they contain sultanas and raisins, which can cause serious health problems for pets.

“Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which is why it’s toxic for dogs and cats, while fruit like grapes, sultanas and raisins can also cause kidney failure.

“Please don’t take a ‘wait and see’ approach if your pet eats these toxic foods, because time is of the essence and this can cause permanent damage to their health or even result in their death.

“It’s important to take any ingestions seriously, especially if you’re not sure how much your pet has eaten.

“It’s potentially already a life-threatening situation if your pet is showing symptoms so, please do not wait.”

Dr Meehan also warned the Easter Lily, a popular gift at Easter time, poses a serious risk to cats.

“Lilies pose a very serious risk to your cat’s health because every part of a lily plant is toxic to cats,” Dr Meehan warned.

“The petals, leaves, stem, and even pollen are all potentially life-threatening for your cat, even in small amounts.

“Death can occur as soon as one or two days after ingestion due to damage caused to the kidneys and unfortunately, they don’t have to eat much.

“Call your vet immediately if you fear your cat may have ingested even a tiny part of a lily, even if they were just cleaning the pollen off their fur.”

If your pet has eaten chocolate, symptoms may include restlessness, excitement, hyperactivity, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased drinking and urination, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and possibly death.

Dr Meehan also warned against gifting rabbits as a surprise gift at Easter.

“Rabbits are a complex species to look after and animals should never be a surprise gift,” Dr Meehan said.

“If you are thinking of gifting a rabbit, check with the giftee before you do so and make sure they are prepared.”

Tips to keep your pets safe this Easter:

• Plan ahead and know the location of the nearest emergency vet clinic and have their contact details ready.
• Keep chocolate, hot cross buns, and lilies out of reach from pets.
• Act quickly if you suspect your pet has consumed anything dangerous and get them to the vet clinic as soon as possible.

For more information on how to keep your pet safe visit: rspcavic.org/learn/easter-tips.