Easter Pet Care Tips

Easter is just a little over a week off. We’re seeing lots of seasonal trappings and decorations in stores. The spring holiday can be quite fun for Fido and Fluffy. We love seeing adorable pictures of our furry pals posing with plushy bunnies, or even wearing bunny ears. However, there are some dangers for pet owners to be aware of. An Ada, MI vet lists some key ones below.

Foods 

Many of us are looking forward to those delicious Easter dinners. It’s fine to offer Fido and Fluffy something special, but stick with things you know are safe. Ham and roast pork are two popular main courses for Easter Sunday. Offer these foods sparingly, as they’re quite high in salt and fat. Anything that contains garlic, onions, leeks, or scallions is also dangerous, as are grapes and raisins, avocados, pitted fruits, raw dough, meat on the bone, alcohol, nuts, mushrooms, and anything that contains xylitol and or a lot of salt, sugar, or fat. Ask your vet for more information.

Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most dangerous foods for Fluffy and Fido. It can be lethal at just one ounce per pound of your pet’s body weight. The wrappers can also be a choking/blockage hazard. Keep those chocolate eggs and bunnies well out of paws’ reach!

Decorations 

Never underestimate Fido and Fluffy’s capacity for mischief. Anything ropy or stringy is unsafe. These things can pose an entanglement risk, and can also cause dangerous blockages. Keep decorations like string lights, garlands, and the plastic grass from Easter baskets away from your furry friend. Anything small or sharp is also unsafe.

Flowers 

A pretty bouquet can make a gorgeous Easter centerpiece, but you’ll need to be careful here as well. Lilies, for instance, are extremely toxic to pets, particularly cats. Those in the day lily and true lily groups are the most toxic. That list includes popular flowers like the Tiger lily, Wood lily, and Easter lily. However, no lilies are safe. Other unsafe plants include azaleas, chrysanthemums, gardenias, gladiolas, hibiscus, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and sweet peas, as well as any bulbed plants, like tulips and flowers. You can find a full list of safe and unsafe plants at the ASPCA website here.

Please  contact us with any questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care. As your Ada, MI pet hospital, we’re here to help!