Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 7, 2023 by Crystal Uys
As you get ready to celebrate Easter with family and friends, keep the following precautions in mind to ensure that your furry family members stay safe and healthy.
Keep your pets safe and happy during the Easter holiday celebrations.
1. Pass on poisonous plants. Some popular plants-including Easter lilies-are highly toxic to pets and can easily prove fatal if ingested.
2. Resist giving animals as Easter presents. Bunnies, chicks, ducks and other animals are adorable, but people often forget that these cute little animals grow up into adult animals who require a commitment to provide daily care for the rest of their lives.
3. Get rid of dangerous decorations. Easter basket decorations-including plastic grass-are dangerous to animals if ingested. The grass can become twisted within a pet’s intestines and can be fatal if not caught quickly enough. Candy wrappers, plastic eggs and small toy parts can also pose a danger to pets. Use tissue paper instead of plastic grass and do a thorough clean-up after Easter celebrations.
4. Give your pet some peace. Loud noises, erratic movements from children and crowds of people can be very stressful for animals. If your pet isn’t up for the chaos of an Easter egg hunt or family dinner, put her in a quiet area of the house when guests are visiting.
5. Keep your pet out of the Easter baskets and away from candy, including chocolate. Candy can be harmful to pets, and chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs.
Chocolate: Chocolate is toxic for pets, especially dogs. Even small amounts of chocolate can be extremely dangerous. The toxic component in chocolate, theobromine, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. Different types of chocolate contain varying levels of theobromine. Dark chocolate contains the highest amounts and is therefore the most toxic to dogs. Early symptoms of chocolate toxicity are vomiting, diarrhea and trembling.
Easter Lilies: Easter Lilies are deadly for cats, so make sure you keep them completely out of cats’ reach. Other potentially poisonous flowers may include tulips, calla lilies, daisies, crysanthemums and baby’s breath.
Easter Grass: Easter grass can be life-threatening for cats if ingested. The material can wrap itself around your cat’s intestines and cut off circulation, requiring immediate medical intervention. Look for safer alternatives to Easter grass, such as tissue paper.
Sugar Substitutes: Xylitol, a popular sugar substitute used in sugar-free candy and in anything from sugarless gum to toothpaste is highly toxic to pets. It causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and can lead to seizures and liver failure.
All it takes is a little common sense, and your entire family can enjoy a safe and happy Easter celebration.
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
The SPCA has posted a long list of plants (and foods) toxic to cats and dogs. I have a large euphorbia in my living room, now 6.5′ tall. I saw a picture of a dog badly burned by the sap when he and a playmate knocked over and broke one of these plants! I had read they were “toxic,” but not that the sap is caustic. It has to go, now that I know. (And what a project that will be!)
Maybe he needs more fat in this diet?
Thanks for this-I did not know half of this-not that I feed them human food except for chicken.
Glad you found the info useful, ihavecat!
Layla, Feebee used to lick salad dressing of my plate, too – he even ate any pieces of lettuce that were still left on the plate, as long as they were coated in dressing.
Good to know about Xylitol. No chance of my kitties wanting anything sweet. They love salty. Merlin goes nuts licking salad dressing off my plate!
good info! adorable picture! awww!
I’m glad the information about the plants was helpful, Mason.
Marg, the Xylitol is typically more of an issue with dogs, since they tend to get into candy more than cats, but I’ve heard of some kitty chocaholics, too. You have a wonderful Easter, too!
Great information. I didn’t know about the Xylitol. Will keep that in mind.Luckily we don’t have any sugar free candy here.
Speaking of Easter, hope you have a wonderful Easter Amber. Maybe the bunny will bring you some extra treats.
I didn’t know about the Easter Lilies. Thanks for the heads up. Always have to be careful what type plants we have.