Gold Coast Easter 2021: RSPCA Queensland issues Easter warning for pets

RSPCA Queensland has issued a warning for pet owners ahead of the Easter holiday - reminding animal lovers it's not just chocolate that can kill your beloved pets.

2 min read

March 17, 2021 - 6:58PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

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RSPCA Queensland has issued a warning to pet owners over chocolate and multiple other foods - reminding animal lovers "even small amounts" can be fatal.

The animal welfare organisation has warned just 50g of chocolate, "small amounts" of onion, fatty food and cooked bones all pose a danger to pets ahead of the Easter holiday.

RSPCA QLD chief veterinary officer Dr Anne Chester said the group was not trying to be melodramatic.

"The problem is the systems of cats and dogs cannot tolerate theobromine, one of the key ingredients of chocolate," she said.

"Onions can also be toxic, even small amounts contained on pizza slices.

"The fatty foods in barbeque leftovers can affect the animals' pancreas and lead to pancreatitis. Cooked bones can also cause major problems.

"They're brittle and the sharp slivers can either lodge in the throat or pierce the stomach lining.

"Think carefully before you feed your pets food designed for humans - especially chocolate."

Theobromine in chocolate triggers the release of adrenaline, which can cause pets to vomit, suffer diarrhoea and excessive urination and become hyperactive.

This can be followed by depression, coma, seizures and death."

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Gold Coast Bulletin readers have voted Labrador Lhasa apso Puddin the city’s cutest canine.

While the seven-month-old’s bright button eyes and soft coat helped her stand out in a fetching field of 150 finalists, owner Brooke Todman said it’s Puddin’s sweet soul that melts everyone she meets.

Winner of the Gold Coast Bulletin's cutest dog competition for 2021 is a Lhaso Apso called Puddin'. Picture: Jerad Williams

“She’s my best friend,” Ms Todman said. “I lost my dog of 12 and a half years in June and needed a companion because I have a mental disability.

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“I found Puddin when she was still in her mummy’s tummy and followed her all the way until the day I picked her up. Now she’s my everything.”

Puddin' relaxing at home with her favourite toy. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms Todman volunteers three times a week and Puddin accompanies her to the office, making fresh fans everywhere she goes.

“She’s super friendly – she loves all dogs and all people,” she said. “She also loves going to the dog park and doing zoomies, which is running in circles with no point.”