The Easter holiday is a fun time for kids and adults alike, but did you know that many fun Easter activities pose hazards for your furry companion?
Like any holiday, Easter means food along with the fun. You are probably aware that Easter candy, especially chocolate, is not good for or can even be toxic to your pet. Your furry friend’s small size makes her vulnerable to even very small amounts of sugary candy, chocolate and even morsels of Easter dinner.
Pets like to investigate new items and that often leads to chewing or eating them. Candy wrappers, decorations, eggs and egg dyes, toys — any Easter item could be a source of trouble. Easter basket grass is especially dangerous — if your pet ingests the long strands, they act like Christmas tinsel in your pet’s digestive tract, either balling up and causing a blockage or getting caught near the base of the tongue or stomach and not passing through your pet’s system. Either of these are serious problems that require veterinary treatment and potentially expensive abdominal surgery. And Easter lilies can be very toxic, especially to your cat. If you see vomiting, nausea, lethargy or any change in behavior, your pet needs immediate medical attention (not after the party or the next day — that may be too late). You don’t want to spend Easter with a frightening and expensive trip to the pet emergency clinic!
Another Easter tradition is baby chicks, ducks and bunnies. There are so many reasons not to buy these cuties for your children, and one of them is the health and safety of these fragile creatures themselves. Chicks and ducks can also pose a bacterial (salmonella) hazard for your pets. Stuffed toy chicks and bunnies for your children to play with instead are often a better — and healthier — choice.
If your pet isn’t used to or is even frightened by children, you can help ensure your pet’s safety and comfort by providing her with a safe place apart from the festivities. Excited kids going in and out of the house can create a racket that can be disconcerting to your pet. Doors and gates left open in all the pandemonium create quick escape routes for pets, leading to abundant dangers in the outside world. You can provide a quiet, secure room in your house with food, water (and litter box) to let your furry friend retreat from all the excitement.
