Every Easter, New Zealand’s dogs develop a sixth sense for sniffing out chocolate, with data from pet insurance specialist PD Insurance, showing just how often they succeed.
Claims for chocolate ingestion spike in April each year, with 2023 showing a particularly dramatic jump as households stocked up on eggs, bunnies and hot cross buns – occasionally to the detriment of curious pets that decided to share in the festivities by tucking into these treats.
Michelle Le Long, PD Insurance COO, says it’s a pattern the company sees year after year. “Accidental ingestion is our most common claim type, and chocolate is one of the biggest culprits, especially at Easter,” she confirms. “Dogs are incredibly efficient at finding treats that aren’t meant for them. If it’s wrapped in shiny foil or smells sweet, they’ll investigate and often eat it.” That’s a double whammy. Chocolate is a firm favourite for most humans but can be dangerous for dogs.
Easter’s chocolate problem
Across 2023–2025, PD Insurance’s monthly claims data shows clear seasonal peaks in April and again in December. These two periods have, for obvious reasons, more chocolate everywhere. April 2023 stood out with a 24% share of annual chocolate ingestion claims, while December 2025 hit 23% (by comparison, the month before each accounted for just 4%).
Michelle says Easter eggs are particularly risky because they’re often left within easy reach. “They’re on tables, in baskets, hidden in gardens, dropped by kids… and dogs don’t stop at the chocolate. They eat the foil too,” she notes.
Easter is a bit of a hazard for pups because that other legendary treat is potentially problematic too: raisins, sultanas and currants in hot cross buns are no good for dog digestion and can cause canine kidney failure even in small amounts. Some products also contain xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener that can be life-threatening to dogs.
Why chocolate isn’t a pet’s best friend
Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant dogs and cats can’t break down properly. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, tremors, heart issues or seizures. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous, but even white chocolate can cause stomach upsets due to its fat and sugar content.
“Vets will tell you that, as a general rule of thumb, people treats are for people, and pet treats are for your dogs and cats,” says Michelle. “Apply that generally to any sorts of lollies and even more broadly, to people food, and you’re far less likely to have tummy problems, or worse.”
Five tips to keep pets out of trouble this Easter
To avoid those dreaded ‘my dog ate the chocolate!’ moments, follow these five practical steps for a safer long weekend:
- Hide the chocolate properly. Keep Easter treats in sealed containers or cupboards, not on benches or coffee tables.
- Count your eggs before and after the hunt. If 20 eggs go out, 20 must come back. Forgotten eggs are a dog’s treasure hunt.
- Supervise pets during Easter activities. Keep them indoors or on a lead during egg hunts and remind kids not to share treats.
- Secure the rubbish. Half‑eaten bunnies and discarded wrappers are common post‑Easter ingestion triggers.
- Create pet‑safe Easter fun. Make a dog‑friendly treat basket or plan a special walk instead of sharing human treats. And if treating pets is your thing, keep pet-specific treats on hand – don’t share human foods.
Michelle says prevention is always better than an emergency vet visit. “Easter is a wonderful time for families, and pets are part of that. With a bit of planning, the chocolate will keep the kids and bigger humans smiling, and you’ll be able to keep the pups and kitties safe, getting through the holiday stress‑free without any need for those mid-weekend emergency vet visits.”
Even so, she adds that if a pet does manage to sneak a treat, owners should act immediately. “Quick action makes all the difference. And remember, dogs are fast. If they want that Easter egg, they may get it before you even realise it’s gone.”
PD is a pet insurance specialist offering pet insurance for cats and dogs with no annual lock-in contracts. The business is a pet insurance company created by pet people for pet people and is committed to fast and fair claims
