Newcastle animal shelter say seasonal Easter food can be dangerous for pets
They are urging people to not give their pets chocolate
A Newcastle based animal shelter says it is important to make sure your pets do not eat chocolate this Easter.
Other seasonal ingredients that could be harmful to pets are grapes and dried fruits such as raisins.
They say Easter egg hunts need to be made safe. Pets should not be at the risk of finding and eating hidden chocolate as eating it can make them seriously ill.
Ethan Williamson, Animal Welfare Manager at the Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter, said: "It is very important to avoid giving your pets chocolate as it could potentially lead to life threatening illnesses and a hefty vet bill.
"It doesn't matter whether it's milk, white or dark chocolate. Any kind or amount of chocolate can have a very serious consequence to any animal, no matter their breed or size.
"Chocolate contains high concentrations of sugar, fat, additives, and even caffeine. Our furry friends can't quite digest these substances like we can, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, sore stomach, tremors and even potentially seizures.
"Easter is always going to be a more difficult time to control chocolate around our pets. One way of ensuring our pets avoid chocolate is by keeping it well hidden and out of their sight, potentially in a kitchen cupboard, high up or even in the fridge where they can't access it. If you have a locked pantry or utility room, it could also be stored in there.
"We can also teach our children to keep chocolate away from pets and ensure there are no wrappers or loose pieces of chocolate lying around. But if you ever think your pet has ingested any chocolate, even a small amount, it is very important you seek veterinary advice immediately.
"You could have your Easter egg hunts in a separate space away from your pets, and make sure to remove all chocolate once it has been eaten. Don't leave chocolate unsupervised. If you are ever in doubt or if an accident does happen and we are worried about our furry friends, then seek vet advice as soon as possible."