As all pet parents know, chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but thanks to dog Easter eggs, they can still enjoy a tasty treat this Easter. With many eggs available that are made with dog-friendly ingredients, such as carob, it means your pup won’t have to miss out on Easter treats.
With many yummy Easter eggs for us humans available, it’s so important to be vigilant and keep an eye on curious pups at this time of year. Human chocolate is incredibly dangerous to dogs when ingested and could lead to a seriously poorly pooch if you don’t take action fast. Fortunately for your pooch, there are many dog-safe Easter eggs available that won’t cause them to have an upset tummy and are equally as delicious.
Best dog Easter eggs at a glance:
• Best dog Easter egg for all adult dogs: Webbox Easter Egg For Dogs – Buy now on Sainsbury's
• Best dog Easter egg for medium dogs: Pets at Home Easter Egg Treat for Medium Breed Puppies and Adult Dogs – Buy now on Pets at Home
• Best DIY dog Easter egg: Zellar Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – Buy now on Amazon UK
Most dog Easter eggs are made using carob as it doesn’t contain theobromine or caffeine like human chocolate does (which is a chemical that is toxic to dogs). The appearance, once ground down or made into chips, resembles chocolate and as it has a naturally sweet flavour, it tastes pretty close to the real thing too. Of course, there are alternatives to dog-safe chocolate eggs, such as egg-shaped toys and food dispensers that you can stuff with your pup’s favourite treats. These are a great option for pups that might have allergies or intolerances.
If you’d like to involve your pooch in the tasty fun this March, here are the best dog Easter eggs to buy for a very happy furry belly.
Best dog Easter eggs
Best dog Easter egg for all adult dogs
Webbox/Sainsburyswww.sainsburys.co.uk
Free from cocoa, wheat and gluten, this Webbox Easter Egg For Dogs will be great for a treat or reward for your pup to enjoy on Easter day. Like many other eggs on our list, it's made from carob so your pup can indulge without the worry.
Best dog Easter egg for medium dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Made from dog-safe chocolate your pet will love, the Pets at Home Easter Egg Treat for Medium Breed Puppies and Adult Dogs will ensure your pooch doesn't miss out on the Easter treats. It's lovingly made in Lancashire to a new recipe with no added artificial colours or flavours.
Customer review: "Who says dogs and cats can't join in the Easter fun safely, bought for a raffle and hopefully will raise lots of funds."
Best dog Easter egg for small dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
One for smaller breeds, the Pets at Home Easter Egg Treat For Small Breed Puppies and Adult Dogs is just the right size to be broken down into bite-sized chunks for your pint-sized pooch. Just like other Easter eggs from Pets at Home, it's made from dog-friendly carob so it's tasty and safe to eat.
Customer review: "Brought this with my dogs easter gifts. Very small egg suitable for small dogs and puppies. Offered some to my dog and he enjoyed it. He has a very sensitive tummy and very fussy with his food but this was fine, no problems whatsoever. He enjoyed his easter egg and toys. Definitely recommend all his easter gifts this year."
Best dog Easter egg for large dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
For your big boy or girl, the Pets at Home Easter Egg Treat For Large Breed Puppies and Adult Dogs is a great choice. It includes over 200g of dog-safe chocolate that will be a tasty treat for your pooch to enjoy over the long Easter weekend.
Best Easter egg hunt pack for dogs
Webbox/Sainsburyswww.sainsburys.co.uk
Let your dog enjoy the thrill of an Easter egg hunt while staying safe and happy with the Webbox Easter Treasure Hunt Eggs For Dogs. There are six eggs in the pack that you can scatter around your house or garden for your pup to find.
Best Easter egg hunt pack for puppies
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Suitable for puppies over three months old, the Pets at Home Easter Egg Hunt Treats For Puppies and Adult Dogs means even the littlest members of your pack can join in with the hunt for Easter treats. They have no added soya, low lactose and 30 per cent less sugar compared to previous versions of this pack by Pets at Home.
Best DIY dog Easter egg
Zellar/AmazonWhile not technically an Easter egg for dogs, the Zellar Treat Dispensing Dog Toy is a good choice for those pups who have sensitivities or other allergies as you can keep in control of exactly what you're feeding your pooch. You'll have great fun watching your pooch trying to figure out how to unleash the treat inside.
FAQs
Will my dog be okay after eating an Easter egg?
If your dog has eaten a dog-safe Easter egg that’s made from Carob, then yes, they will. However, if they’ve eaten one made for humans, it might be a different story.
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to dogs. The PDSA says that theobromine doesn’t break down in a dog’s digestive system in the same way it does in ours, which makes them sensitive to chemicals.
The PDSA also warn that it’s not just the theobromine that is the issue with your dog eating a human Easter egg, they also contain caffeine, sugar and fat, which are all ingredients that don’t suit pets.
If your dog has eaten chocolate, they may display the following symptoms:
• Agitation
• Unusual hyperactivity or excitement
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Drinking or peeing more than normal
• Tender belly
You should always seek the advice of a pet in the event of your pup eating human chocolate as if your pet receives treatment quickly, it lowers the chance of your pet becoming seriously ill. It’s useful for your vet to know how much has been eaten and what type of chocolate they’ve had so they can advise the best course of action.
What do you put in Easter eggs for dogs?
If you’d rather avoid the dog-safe chocolate options, you can get toys and treat dispensers shaped like eggs as an alternative and fill them with your hound’s favourite dog food. These are usually interactive toys for your pooch so they have to use their brains and work on their problem-solving skills to figure out how to get the treats out.
Filling your own Easter egg for your dog may be the best option if your pooch has allergies, intolerances or any other sensitivities to certain ingredients as you are in control of exactly what you’re feeding your pooch and you can be sure you’re avoiding any triggers that may cause them an upset tum or itchy skin.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.