Easter is a fantastic time of year, but we need to keep an eye on our furry friends. There are several compounds in human chocolate eggs which can be dangerous for dogs. Chocolate is dangerous to dogs because of theobromine and caffeine. These are stimulants that can affect a dog's central nervous system and heart in dangerous ways.
Xylitol is also often used to sweeten chocolate and is very unsafe for dogs. Dairy can also be uncomfortable for pups, as many are lactose intolerant. Be careful with supermarket Easter eggs, even ones marked as ‘for dogs’ - as some contain cocoa.Fortunately, there are plenty of safe alternatives for our four-legged friends! Here are some of the best Easter eggs for dogs…
Easter Egg Dog Toy and Treats
A fun alternative to doggy chocolate is this toy and treat set! Pups can enjoy hunting and playing with the squeaky Easter egg toy, then be rewarded with delicious chicken flavour dog biscuits. It’s ideal for safe, interactive play. The exercise and mental stimulation can help your dog with stress relief, bonding and fun.
Suitable for: Dogs Over 3 months.
Features: No added sugar, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Potato Starch, Chicken Powder (14%), Corn Oil, Wheat Protein, Pea Dietary Fibre.
Carob Easter Egg
Companies like Rosewood and Hatchwell create carob Easter eggs for dogs. Their recipes are cocoa and gluten-free. Carob is a dog friendly alternative to chocolate, without theobromine and caffeine. It’s naturally sweet, low fat, high in fibre and contains beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Suitable for: Dogs Over 3 months old.
Features: Gluten-free.
Ingredients: Various Sugars, Oils and Fats, Milk and Milk Derivatives, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin (5% Carob Powder).
Homemade Easter Dog Treats
Celebrating Easter with your pup? Our recipe for homemade, tasty treats for dogs are egg-shaped and a pretty pink (coloured with natural beetroot and blueberry powder). These eggcellent frozen treats are perfect for warming weather. Alternatively, try our savoury baked chicken, grated cheese and egg bunny shaped treats.
Suitable for: All ages.
Features: Probiotics and protein.
Ingredients: Goat yoghurt, Beetroot powder, Blueberry powder, Easter egg mould
Easter Egg Plush Toys
The Petface Easter Egg plush toys are made from fleece, with embroidered features (no small parts) and a built-in squeaker. The plushes are super soft and cuddly, perfect for puppy snuggle time. They’re lightweight, perfect for small to medium-sized dogs, and are great for play. Supervised use is encouraged.
Suitable for: Small to medium-sized dogs.
Features: Embroidered features and built in squeaker.
Ingredients: Soft fleece with embroidery (no small parts).
Interactive Snack Egg Toy
A roly poly snack egg is a fab Easter gift for dogs. This affordable interactive dog toy comes with four removable plates that can be rearranged to change the difficulty of the game for Easter fun. Dogs will love solving the puzzle to root out the treats. Puzzle feeder toys can also help pooches eat more slowly.
Suitable for: All dogs with supervision.
Features: 4 removable plates let you vary the difficulty for your pooch.
Ingredients: Plastic.
Chicken Eggs
Cooked chicken eggs are a fantastic treat for dogs this Easter. Vets recommend against feeding raw eggs to dogs, as there is a risk of salmonella, biotin deficiencies and bacteria. Cook or boil up some delicious eggs for your dog without oils, salt or spices. They’ll love the plain egg as a special treat.
Suitable for: Adult dogs when cooked (check with your vet regarding any medical conditions).
Features: Protein, fatty acids and vitamins.
Ingredients: Chicken eggs (cooked, no seasonings).
