Protect your pets this Easter!
Most of us pet owners know the dangers of having chocolate around our pets. But there are some other hazards to avoid as a pet parent during Easter as well. Below is a list of a few things that you might want to avoid, or pay close attention to.
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate is bad for our pets mostly because of a stimulant called theobromine. Paired with the caffeine found in chocolate, this can cause rapid heart rate, vomiting, and diarrhea for our pets. We know Easter tends to include a lot of chocolate, so be extra careful about where you leave your human treats!
LILIES
Easter also tends to be a time when we see lilies start to bloom. Due to the light color and soft nature of the flower, they make great Easter decorations. While these can be a great addition to your home, they are also a serious health risk to cats. The leaves, stems, pollen and even the flower contain a toxin that, when ingested, can cause severe kidney issues.
PLASTIC EASTER GRASS
Every Easter basket needs a few strands of plastic grass lining, right? Not exactly. Just like the lily, these can be nice for presentation, but also aren’t digestible by our pets. These pieces of plastic can easily become lodged in the digestive tract and cause an obstruction. So if you have pets that tend to get into things, we suggest you pass on this one.
FOOD AND DRINK AT EASTER DINNER
We all know it can be a bit tempting not to include our pets in feasts that are prepared for holidays. However, it is important to remember some of the foods on the table that can be poisonous to our pets. Here’s a short list that you might see on the table around Easter:
- Alcohol
- Bread dough
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Garlic
- Onions
- Macadamia nuts
- Raw poultry and poultry bones
SUGAR FREE CANDIES
Here’s one you may not know! Many sugar free sweets, especially gum, contain xylitol. This compound can certainly sicken your pets if ingested by our pets.
The most important thing to remember is to be cautious and make sure our pets aren’t getting into anything that wouldn’t normally be of concern to us. If that does happen, bring your pet into the clinic as soon as possible.
From all of us here at the clinic, Happy Easter!
