With Easter just around the corner, vets are urging owners to be wary of seemingly harmless household items that could be deadly to dogs.

David Hollinshead at VetsNow in Middlesbrough warns that owners should pay extra attention during celebrations such as Easter, when the risk of accidents is greatest.

“We see a large increase in pet emergencies during holidays and major events, and often this is due to pets eating things they shouldn’t, such as flowers or chocolates,” he said.

Some flowers can be extremely dangerous

One such flower to look out for is the popular spring flower, daffodils, which sources say are highly poisonous to dogs. Blue Cross.

According to the charity, the bulbs are the most dangerous part as this is where the toxins are concentrated, but owners are warned against consuming any part of the flower, including drinking the water from a vase of daffodils.

Symptoms of daffodil poisoning include illness and an upset stomach. If your dog is sleepy and wobbly, these are also telltale signs of daffodil poisoning that you should look out for.

The charity recommends marking out flower spots in the garden and keeping an eye out for daffodils growing in walking areas.

Similarly, a number of other spring flowers, including tulips, buttercups and bluebells, can be fatal. Consuming any part of the plant, especially the bulb, can make dogs sick, and symptoms of stomach upset are often signs of flower poisoning.

Tulips can also cause drooling, nausea and diarrhea, breathing problems and heart palpitations.

Bluebells are one of the most dangerous spring flowering plants and, if consumed in large quantities, can have fatal consequences. The Blue Cross charity is warning owners to be careful when walking through woodland areas where clusters of bluebells can often be found.

Toxic foods to avoid

While preparing the Easter meal can be stressful, it’s vital that owners are also wary of what’s within reach while cooking, pet food company Purina advises. An expensive vet bill will undoubtedly be much more stressful than burnt potatoes.

Pet owners should avoid feeding dogs anything containing sultanas or sultanas, according to Purina, which definitely means hot cruss buns.

Garlic, onions and leeks can also be very dangerous for dogs to consume, with the average vet bill for impending onion poisoning being £339, according to data taken from pet insurance claims.

ManyPets veterinarian Dr. Kirsten Ronngren says this is because onions contain disulfides that can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia.

“Treatment for onion toxicity depends on the size of the pet and how much it has consumed,” she said.

‘In more severe cases, the toxic dose may have been reached, requiring a pet to be treated for anemia.’

Hot cross buns also have the power to result in a hefty vet bill for dog owners. This is because both sultanas and sultanas are poisonous to dogs. It is thought that the tartaric acid in grapes causes the poisoning. Signs of an upset stomach, drooling and loss of appetite are all symptoms of poisoning.

Nutmeg, another common ingredient in hot cross buns, can also be potentially dangerous due to the hallucinogenic toxin myristicin.

Although it is marketed as a healthy alternative, manufacturers tend to put Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, in our food, causing a spike in insulin that can even be fatal for dogs.

Although symptoms often disappear within an hour, the risk of liver failure increases if a lot of Xylitol has been consumed.

Make sure you throw away all chocolate wrappers

While most of us know not to give dogs chocolate, Easter egg packaging can also be harmful to dogs.

Foil packaging can not only pose a choking hazard, but can also lead to a dangerous intestinal obstruction, causing abdominal pain and vomiting.

If you’re trying to make healthier choices for yourself this year, beware that the sweeter one, Xylitol, can be dangerous to dogs.

If you must give them a treat, stick to vegetables

Owners should not only be mindful of what is within the reach of greedy pups, but also be careful about what they feed as leftovers.

Research from Welsh company Burns Pet Nutrition has found that a third of owners overfeed their dogs, with 45 percent even sharing cheese with their dogs.

But founder of vet Burns Pet Nutrition, John Burns MBE, is urging owners to think twice about overfeeding.

‘Dogs don’t necessarily need tasty snacks, only we owners like to give them!’

Don’t let those big puppy eyes pressure you,” he said.

Burns recommends not feeding dogs leftovers and suggests using steamed vegetables if absolutely necessary.

By Kinta Walsh-cotton for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:29 EDT, March 18, 2024 | Updated: 01:29 EDT, March 18, 2024

INTERNET users have been warned about malicious websites out to steal their money.

Nowadays, scam websites have become synonymous with browsing the Internet – and these websites are only becoming more common.

1

Malicious websites are designed to steal visitors’ sensitive data and distribute malware.

Giving away financial information on the websites is dangerous and can lead to your bank account being emptied.

To prevent people from falling victim to such scams, Vincent Iachetta Jr., the owner and founder of Peppermonkey Mediarevealed four telltale signs that a website is trying to scam you.

SCAM WEBSITE RED FLAGS

No padlock icon in your address bar

One of the easiest ways to know if a website is legitimate is to check for a padlock icon.

This is usually located in the address bar when you visit a website.

Your web browser probably has software that can confirm whether a website is trustworthy or not.

So if you don’t see a padlock icon next to the URL, it could mean the website isn’t secure.

A suspicious domain name

The next thing to check is the website’s domain name – or the name of the website in the address bar.

You need to make sure that this is the real domain name of a company and not a copycat with a small adjustment.

Incorrect spelling, such as ‘goggle’ instead of ‘Google’, is a clear indication that all is not well.

“Scammers often use names that can easily be mistaken for real ones in the hopes that people won’t pay attention to them,” according to Peppermonkey Media.

“Another good tip to remember is that few authentic online shopping sites use .org or .net.”

Incredible offers

If a website is indeed a scam, there can sometimes be a countdown clock to create a sense of urgency.

“Scammers often try to lure their victims with incredible eye-catching offers,” warned Peppermonkey Media.

Or they might offer a huge discount of over 50% to entice customers.

In these scenarios, the prices are likely too good to be true, indicating a scam.

“Shop around to compare prices and see if the offers for the item you want on reputable websites are close to what you found on the potential scam site.”

“If that offer is significantly lower than offers from well-known stores, there is a good chance it is a scam.”

Unusual payment options

Common payment methods are PayPal, credit cards, debit cards and Apple or Google Pay.

A clear indication of a scammer is if an online payment asks you to pay outside of these methods, i.e. via bank transfer or cryptocurrency.

“Please note that if you pay by bank transfer, you will not get your money back if you get scammed,” Peppermonkey Media explains.

“Also avoid paying via cryptocurrency or payment apps (e.g. Cash App, Zelle, Venmo) as there is no guarantee you will get your money back,” it added.

HOW TO STAY SAFE

Iachetta Jr. urges internet users to “always check online reviews and read comments on the company’s social media profile pages.”

“If they don’t have social media, that’s another strong sign that they’re not legitimate,” she added.

He also implored users to run a virus check on the website and pay attention to their returns policy as scam websites often don’t have one.

“If you are in any doubt, I strongly advise you to stay safe and close the website immediately,” the expert added.

A RARE nova is expected to light up the night sky this year, according to astronomers.

The nova will erupt in the binary star system T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) and will be visible to the naked eye.

1

T CrB is located in the northern constellation Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, about 3,000 light-years from Earth.

The star system consists of a red giant star and a white dwarf that revolve around each other.

The red giant continuously feeds the white dwarf with its stellar fuel, hydrogen.

When enough hydrogen builds up on the white dwarf, it undergoes a thermonuclear explosion.

This causes the star to brighten dramatically and is what scientists call a nova.

About every 80 years, this system puts on a dazzling nova display, with the last outburst occurring in 1946.

Now astronomers predict that another eruption is imminent sometime between February and September 2024, NASA explains in a statement.

“This could be a unique viewing opportunity,” NASA officials said.

They added that the star system normally has a magnitude of +10, which is too faint to see with the naked eye.

During the event this will increase to magnitude +2, which is a similar brightness to the North Star, Polaris.

“Once the brightness reaches its peak, it should be visible to the naked eye for several days, and a little more than a week with binoculars, before dimming again, possibly for another 80 years,” NASA officials said.

OTHER STARGASING EVENTS IN 2024

For stargazers and amateur astronomers, 2024 promises to be a year of cosmic fireworks.

A total solar eclipse will be visible from North America on April 8, 2024.

The solar phenomenon will transcend Mexico, the United States and Canada.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the sun’s surface.

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is also expected to brighten the night sky on May 6.

It is one of only two meteor showers caused by dust and debris left in the inner solar system by Halley’s Comet. Living Science.

MARTIN Lewis has warned anyone with an eBay account to sell their items now or face a mega price hike.

A post on Money Saving Expert’s Twitter account announced the news to ensure no one gets caught.

1

The message read: “More fee increases – this time it’s eBay. Starting Monday April 8, selling fees will go up, so sell what you can faster to beat it.

“After the price increase, if you ship a €20 item with €5 shipping costs, you will pay €3.60 in costs instead of €3.50 now.”

Martin Lewis Money saving experts explained that eBay’s fees will increase from 12.8% of the sold price plus shipping to 13.22%. (You still pay an additional 30 cents per transaction.)

According to eBay, the increase is due to “increasing operational costs”.

The money saving experts also explained how eBay fees work. Scroll down to read this.

It comes as Martin Lewis warned first-time buyers that they have just weeks left to claim £1,000 free cash.

The money-saving expert spoke on the Martin Lewis Money Show about the benefits of a Lifetime ISA (LISA).

A LISA is a powerful savings instrument for starters who want to get on the property ladder.

The savings account can save you up to £4,000 per tax year and the state adds 25% per year.

This means you can get up to €1,000 in free cash per year, but if you haven’t already, you need to act quickly.

If you are considering transferring your money to a LISA, you must do so before the end of the tax year, which is April 5.

Just when you think Meghan Markle might exhibit some of that kindness she so loves to praise — well, she can’t. She won’t do that.

On the same night that her husband and his estranged brother Prince William appeared separately at an awards ceremony in honor of their late mother — and as gross speculation about Kate Middleton’s illness, the doctored family photo and even the strength of her marriage reached a fever pitch — Meghan is launching a lifestyle brand on Instagram.

What’s even worse, hours later, she and Harry announced their own $100,000 NAACP Empowerment award through Archewell.

Meghan Markle, like nature, abhors a vacuum.

‘American Riviera Orchard’ is the latest addition to Brand Sussex, and it’s as beige and basic as our Duchess of Despair and her endless grievances.

The urgent text from a friend said it all: “I can’t handle it.”

Who among us can do that? Especially those of us who stayed with them in the United States.

Let’s make one thing clear: we don’t call our coasts in America “river axis.”

They are beaches, lake shores or bays. We love them, we sunbathe with them, we hike and picnic and walk our dogs, but we don’t call them ‘rivieras’.

As for that “orchard,” it’s clearly meant to be reminiscent of her and Harry’s grand $14 million estate in Montecito, replete with fruit trees, a chicken coop and rose gardens.

You know, the things that average American women can relate to as inflation destroys the dream of ever owning a starter home. But buy Meghan’s expensive kitchenware!

Oh, does she stay on-brand as always – and by that I mean a ton of contradictions.

Let’s abort this relaunch while holding the notions of compassion close, lifting up our fellow women (except Kate, of course, because Kate made her cry), holding space, and begging for privacy as we continue the Worldwide Privacy Tour.

We open the promotional video with a woman’s hand arranging pink and white roses against a backdrop of greige, the film is filtered to look old-fashioned, as Nancy Wilson – and I defy anyone under 50 to know who that is – sings: to a dirty big band, swing time sound, ‘I Wish You Love’.

Ha! Meghan Markle, know yourself.

If she had wished love on anyone, especially her estranged, suffering in-laws – including King Charles, who is currently battling cancer – she would have stopped this highly unnecessary brand reveal.

On the other hand, Meghan has always unnecessarily inserted herself into stories, into victimhood – into our lives! – with unrelenting force.

So why not the lifestyle cooking wellness area? God knows it’s not overcrowded, with Goop and Martha Stewart and Oprah and any number of Kardashians.

Our next shot is a blurred, soft look at Meghan, from a distance, preparing something in her kitchen while wearing an expensive-looking white top, as so many of us do.

Because when we think of Meghan, we immediately think of cooking, sweets, treats – the jams and preservatives she will be selling here, along with an upcoming cookbook.

Yes, few public figures of our time evoke heart and warmth, the comfort of home and family unity as she does.

This action shot is, as it were, followed by a long look through an arched stone corridor at a woman in silhouette, dressed in a black ball gown – for daytime. Could this be our Duchess?

Against a clear sky, she appears to bend down to pet a dog and then stand back up to… well, it’s unclear why she’s back there at all, or what she’s even doing.

Then we flash to the title card, ‘American Riviera Orchard’ – written in the style of Meghan’s famous calligraphy – with a faint royal insignia above it, all in thin gold embroidery.

Class or trash? I vote for the latter.

This was everything the late Queen Elizabeth feared: the Sussexes trading royalties, using it to buy some copper cookware and starting a knock-off Ina Garten show, while capitalizing on their family, never more in crisis than now.

With the king having retired from his public duties and the downsized monarchy suffering from Kate’s extended absence, Meghan applies for a US trademark for the sale of tablecloths, napkins, glasses, decanters, jams and jellies.

It’s a pedestrian on the edge of the camp.

The more seriously Meghan takes herself, the more her personal brand suffers. The more she exploits her gripping desire for fame and relevance, the further she falls in the public’s appreciation.

That ball gown! The idea that we can’t see her up close! What is this, the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah? Will we all turn to pillars of salt when we see her?

Quick question: will Meghan sell salt? Not just any salt, mind you – like pink salt, sea salt from the world’s rarest, most exotic bodies of water? Rivieras, if you will.

The thrust of every celebrity lifestyle brand is hubris. It is based on the founder’s self-confidence almost every other woman wants to be her.

Who does Meghan Markle want to be?

Incredibly, this new Instagram account has amassed around 200,000 followers in the few hours since its launch, even though the account doesn’t follow anyone else.

Consider the quotes from a source claiming to be close to Harry and Meghan earlier this week, but which have since been denied by the couple.

After Kate took the blame for the botched Photoshop mistake (and I will never believe Kate was responsible for that), we were told that “this is not a mistake Meghan would ever make.”

Of course not! Meghan is too busy making the most insensitive, tone-deaf, poorly timed, harsh launches (and relaunches) on the planet.

In case we didn’t get the message, this alleged source added that Meghan “has a keen eye and a whimsical attention to detail.”

That must have cost her that lucrative Spotify deal. It’s that kind of work ethic that led director Bill Simmons to call both Harry and Meghan “bloody frauds,” who did very little work and had terrible ideas.

It’s that kind of “attention to detail” that kept Meghan from ever Googling the royals, and especially Prince Harry, until she met them. Or thinking that the British royal family, and especially the revered Queen Elizabeth, were characters from the Middle Ages.

It’s Meghan’s keen eye that instructed us on how to bow to the Queen and gave us a sarcastic, deeply contemptuous recreation in that Netflix series — an unmistakable act of mockery that left even Harry looking pained.

So forgive us, Meghan, if we still fail to buy what you’re selling. Even if it’s just some cloth napkins and overpriced jam.