Celebrating Easter with family is wonderful; however, if you have four legged family members, here are five tips to keep them safe this Easter.
1. Chocolate: Because dogs have a great sense of small with the resolve to find it (hidden or not), people think of chocolate as a hazard just for dogs; however, cats may consume it too. Caffeine and theobromine make up the toxic components in chocolate; however, the toxicity level varies depending on the quantity and type of chocolate consumed. The amount of caffeine and theobromine varies based on the type of chocolate (white contains the least and dark contains the most). Signs of distress from eating chocolate include diarrhea, vomiting, and trembling.
2. Easter grass: Cats love to play with anything that moves so when the Easter grass blows in the breeze, your cat may make a point to try to catch/eat it. If ingested, it could create an obstruction which might require surgery to remove the grass from around the intestines. Real grass (preferably organic) or shredded paper are good substitutes for filling Easter Baskets.
3. Eggs (real or plastic): Easter eggs may cause numerous problems for your pets. Plastic eggs when swallowed or inhaled can cause respiratory or digestive tract irritation or obstruction. If broken, plastic shards may cut your pet’s mouths or paws if played with. Leftover hardboiled eggs from the egg hunt may cause digestive issues when dogs find/eat the eggs. To ensure a fun and safe time during the hunt, keep a list of where all the eggs were hidden to ensure they were found before moving on to the next activity.
4. Flowers: The Easter Lily is a familiar sight during this time of year; however, it is highly toxic to cats if ingested. Acute kidney failure can occur even if your cat only nibbles one petal or grooms lily pollen off of its fur or paws so the safest thing you can do is to keep them out of the home. Daffodils, another spring flower, is also toxic to cats.
5. Candy: Much sugar-free candy/gum include xylitol, a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting xylitol can result in a quick drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia which can cause Fido to suffer a loss of coordination, depression, and seizures.
Nobody wants their egg hunt interrupted by a trip to the vet so be aware of these five hazards to keep your furry loved ones safe this Easter!
Do your Easter plans not include Fido or Boots? TAILored Pet Services is here to help. We can check on your pets while you enjoy your time away. Contact us for more information.
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