Easter Pet Safety

It may seem strange to think of Easter as a threat to our pets; after all, for many of us, the holiday itself is synonymous with fluffy bunnies and baby animals. Yet many Easter traditions involve foods and decorations that are dangerous to pets, making the holiday one to watch out for when it comes to pet safety.

As you prep for Peter Cottontail and your family’s Easter activities, be sure to consider how accessible your celebrations are to your pets and take the extra time to keep your furry family members safe from the dangers you may not consider…

Chocolate and Candies

One of the most common causes for pet emergencies over the Easter weekend is chocolate and Xylitol.

The theobromine in chocolate is highly toxic to most animals, especially dogs. Even a small amount can be fatal, depending on the cocoa content and the size of your pet. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to pets. The effect of chocolate poisoning can range from an upset stomach to cardiac arrest, and is not something to be taken lightly.

Candy and treats containing Xylitol can also be fatally toxic to pets. These treats are often labeled as “sugar-free”, although Xylitol can be found lurking in other treats as well. This sugar substitute can cause pancreatitis, and is often fatal to our four-legged friends, if ingested.

Easter Lilies

Easter lilies look and smell lovely, but they also are very poisonous to pets if ingested (especially cats). It is very important that you keep any lilies on high tables that your animals will not climb onto. If you have lilies and notice an animal exhibiting any of the following, get to the vet immediately.

Do not wait to see if your pet’s symptoms pass, there is no time to waste if lily poisoning is the culprit.

Easter Eggs

Whether you have real dyed-eggs, or plastic eggs, do your best to keep them away from your pets. In moderation, it is safe to peel a hard-boiled egg and feed it to your cat or dog when it is fresh, but do not feed them eggs that are old just to get rid of them.

Eggs rot quickly and can cause intestinal problems, including:

The problem with plastic eggs is two fold – the eggs themselves, and the treats hidden inside. In most cases, the eggs can pop open from the press of a paw or a quick bite, resulting in your pet discovering an exciting, but potentially deadly, feast inside.

It’s also possible that your pet may decide to treat the plastic egg as a chew toy, which can result in an internal obstruction, possibly resulting in an emergency surgery. If you suspect your pet has ingested a plastic egg (or the goodies inside), contact your veterinarian for further instructions.

Easter Grass

The colorful grass used as bedding for candy and eggs in Easter basket attracts the attention of cats and dogs, especially those who tend to nibble on the real stuff.

Sadly, plastic grass is a common cause of intestinal blockage around Easter. In severe cases, surgery can be needed to remove the blockage from your pet’s digestive tract.

Make sure you keep all the baskets up out of the reach of your pets, and if possible, switch to pet grass, or a shredded paper grass instead.

A Word about Giving Easter Pets

Little chicks, bunnies, and ducklings are cute and lovable. But, if you plan on giving one to your children as a special Easter gift, be sure you understand that the animal requires a lot of love and care. It is important that the animals have a place to sleep, eat, and roam.

Ducklings and chicks need to be kept warm in the beginning, but grow quickly and will need a place outside before too long. Ducks need a place to swim, but only after they have feathers. Bunnies can be litter trained and make wonderful house pets if given the chance.

As with all animals, you need to be ready to provide Easter pets with a forever home and the care they deserve.

We Are Here to Help

You do not want to end up rushing your pet to the veterinarian on a holiday. Keep your whole family safe and healthy over Easter. It only takes a few minutes of making sure everything is out of reach so that all the members of your family can be together and enjoy the holiday.