Easter is the quintessential springtime holiday, filled with egg hunts, delicious food, spending time with our families, and symbolism. There's no reason that our pets shouldn't be able to get in on the Easter fun, and many companies like Petco are stepping up their selection of Easter goodies so our pets can have an Easter basket as well.
But we have to be very careful with what we bring around our pets during the Easter holiday. There are many potential hazards that pets could be exposed to, some of which you may not be aware are dangerous.
Here are five pet hazards to watch out for this Easter so you can keep your furry friend safe and healthy.
Five Easter pet hazards to watch out for
1. Easter Lilies
Homes are filled with flowers in the springtime, but many of them are dangerous to both cats and dogs. Easter lilies are perhaps one of the most dangerous because they are toxic if eaten.
Easter lilies can be more dangerous to cats than they are to dogs, just because most cats are smaller so it takes less of the lily to affect them. But cats are also more likely to nibble on plants than dogs are. Easter lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, but in dogs, they're more likely to just cause an upset stomach, especially if the dog is larger.
Still, it's best to either avoid having Easter lilies in your home when you have pets, or make sure your pet can't get to them (this is especially tricky for cats). It's not just Easter lilies, but any type of lily, as well as other spring bulbs including tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. If you suspect your pet has eaten part of an Easter lily, it's best to reach out to your vet or pet poison control as soon as possible.
2. Chocolate
Chocolate bunnies are an Easter staple, as well as other chocolate goodies that we use to fill our kids' Easter baskets. But as we're sure you're already aware, chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats. Dogs tend to find chocolate irresistible and are quick to swipe it off the table. Cats aren't quite as fond of chocolate, but they can still ingest it.
Most of the time, chocolate poisoning is treatable provided that your pet didn't eat too much. But some types of chocolate can be more dangerous than others, so it's best to contact your vet if your pet eats chocolate, just to be safe. It also helps to know what kind of chocolate your pet ate.
3. Xylitol
Xylitol is a type of sugar than can be found in many baked goods and candies, especially sugar-free and hard candies. You might find baked goods and candies at Easter celebrations. Xylitol has been proven to be extremely toxic to dogs, causing low blood sugar and even liver failure.
Based on research, xylitol isn't known to have toxic effects on cats. But, it's still a good idea to keep any baked goods and candies away from your pets. If your dog does consume any candy, check the ingredients list to make sure it doesn't contain xylitol. If it doesn't, your dog should be fine. But if it does contain xylitol, it's best to contact your vet or pet poison control for next steps.
4. Easter grass
If you're going to be making an Easter basket for your pet filled with toys and treats, you might be tempted to put Easter grass in the basket. But it's not a good idea, as many pets, especially cats, may see Easter grass as something else that's fun to play with.
While Easter grass isn't toxic to cats, it can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages if your pet accidentally swallows some, both of which can be deadly. So, just keep the Easter grass out of your pets' baskets (they won't know the difference anyway) and be sure to sweep up any loose Easter grass from your kids' baskets to keep it away from your pets.
5. Easter ham/roast
It's not going to hurt your pet to give them a tiny little bite of ham or roast, provided that the ham is cooked and not seasoned. However, you should avoid giving cats and dogs ham or roast that is seasoned. Some seasonings, especially garlic and onion, are toxic to pets.
You should also avoid giving your pets ham bones to chew on. Like Easter grass, ham bones can be a choking hazard for pets and they can cause intestinal blockages. It's best to play it safe and keep any human foods away from your pets on Easter.
Easter should be a time of celebration, not spent worrying about our pets because they got into something they shouldn't have. Hopefully, you can keep these common Easter hazards away from your pet and enjoy the meal and time with your family instead.
But if your pet does eat something they shouldn't have, you should always reach out to your vet or the Animal Poison Control Center as soon as possible.