Easter Safety for your Pets!
Author: Brittney Date Posted:9 April 2019
With Easter right around the corner, we prepare for a fun filled holiday full of joy and celebration with our friends, family and of course or pets! However, during the Easter period a number of threats arise that could potentially put our fur family in danger. Read on to make sure that your family avoids a gut-wrenching trip to the Vet during this time.
Easter Lilly
The Easter lily is a common flower used in floral arrangements during the Easter period. In spite of its beauty, this flower poses an extreme threat to cats. Eating small amounts of any part of this plant can cause dangerous symptoms which then can lead to kidney failure and death.
Lollies and Chocolate
Chocolate - Chocolate ingestion in dogs and cats can cause significant illness. Chocolate is toxic to your furry friends as it contains a chemical called theobromine as well as caffeine. Both of these chemicals are used as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can. This makes them more sensitive to the chemicals’ effects.
Lollies- All types of lollies and candy should be kept away from all of your pets. Hard lollies can be difficult to chew and digest which could cause choking. Gum contains an ingredient called Xylitol, which can cause a dog to become lethargic, suffer from seizures or even cause permanent or fatal liver damage. Another danger that can come from Easter candies and lollies can come from the wrappers. Plastic and tinfoil wrappers can become a major digestive problem and even obstruct a dogs intestines.
So in order to prevent a horrifying trip to the vet and save you a hefty bill, make sure to keep chocolate and lollies well away, somewhere you know your pets will not be able to reach to make sure this halloween is fun and safe!
Decorations
Unfortunately pets love to explore new things with their mouths. This can mean chewing and swallowing things that they are definitely not supposed to. A curious or bored pet will happily take down decorations including easter eggs, easter grass and basket stuffers. This can be very dangerous for your pet. Any of these decorations can get lodged in your dogs digestive tract which is super harmful. Electrical cords also pose a large threat to your pets. Make sure cords that may be attached to any moving or light up decorations are out of the way, hidden and blocked off so your pet cannot reach it.
Costumes
Costumes can be great fun for you and your family, you may even want to include your pet in the fun! If you are planning on dressing up your pet you need to make sure your pet is comfortable at all costs. Introduce them to the costume slowly and calmly. Make sure the costume is not restricting or uncomfortable. If your pet shows any signs of distress make sure to take it off right away, their birthday suit might be their best option!
Eggs
Fresh, hard boiled eggs pose no threat to your pets. However, eggs do spoil quickly and violently. If you and your family are planning on creating an easter hunt in the back yard, make sure you know where and how many eggs have been hidden so your pets do not find these eggs at a later date and become ill.
