Pet Safety at Easter

Pet Safety at Easter

A holiday synonymous with chocolate, bunny decorations and springtime flowers, it is important that we keep our four-legged friends safe during Easter celebrations. Here we have a few tips on how to make sure your dog or cat can join in the celebrations safely.

 

Easter Lilies

A present from a friend, or picked up alongside the grocery shop, these flowers are popular at Easter time. However, Easter lilies are poisonous to cats. Our advice is to not buy them at all if you have a lovely cat at home.

Any part of the flower that is ingested is toxic to cat’s kidneys, resulting in a potentially fatal outcome.

 

Chocolate

We all know chocolate is not good for our pets. While it tastes great to us, chocolate contains caffeine and a compound called theobromine, which stimulates the nervous system and can be toxic to animals. It is hard to resist their begging faces, but the risk is not worth it.

If they eat enough, our furry friends can vomit, have diarrhoea, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm or even pass away.

Keep your Easter Eggs out of reach and make sure if any falls on the ground to pick it back up straight away!

Small black dog begging

Plastic Easter Grass

You may have some Easter decorations around the house, or a lovely Easter basket for the kiddos to use on their hunt that has some plastic Easter grass in it. However, plastic cannot be digested by our pets, as it easily gets tangled in their intestines.

They can also choke or have an obstruction in their throat. Signs of this include vomiting and loss of appetite, requiring immediate medical attention by your vet. Your pet would require surgical removal of the plastic (foreign material) which would be classed as an emergency during this time.

 

Ways to celebrate with your pet

  • While you might be hunting for Easter eggs – why not involve the dog too? Hide some of their favourite treats around the house and have them sniff it out while your kids look for their eggs. Just make sure they do not have any access to the chocolate eggs – you will have to follow them around!
  • It is important to note that many dogs and cats do not like dressing up – especially if something goes over or on their head. While it may look cute, it can be distressing for them. Instead mark the occasion with a classic family picture, putting your arms around them for a hug instead.
  • Enjoy a nice long walk with them to either work up your appetite for more chocolate or help you feel better about the amount you have eaten!
  • Have them enjoy their tasty Naturo dinner while you tuck into yours!

 

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