Easter marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. It is considered the most important and joyful event in Christianity. Easter Sunday falls on a different date each year, as it is based on the lunar calendar, typically occurring between March 22 and April 25. Easter can be a fun time for humans, but it comes with a few hazards for our pets, so it is important to keep your pet safe at Easter. Here are some things pet owners must be sure and keep out of reach of curious family members:
- Chocolate of any kind including eggs, cakes, brownies or candy.
- Grapes, raisins, jellybeans or any kind of Easter candy, especially sugar-free candy
- Hot Cross Buns or any dessert with candied fruit in it
- Candy made with honey or nuts
- Plastic grass (the kind we fill Easter baskets with
- Plastic eggs (can cause problems if chewed)
- Real eggs (in excess) unless your part of your pet’s regular diet
- Candles or other decorations
Easter egg hunts are great for the children but keep an eye on your pet as colorful eggs look like play toys and can be very dangerous if ingested. Little ones enjoying the hunt may not be mindful of their baskets, so close monitoring is wise.
If you are cooking an Easter dinner, put aside a bit of chicken, steak, lamb or other treat for your pet. Rich foods like ham, gravy, onions, avocado and other seasoned foods are not good for their digestive system. Carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli and pumpkin are safe to feed your dog or cat (if they will eat it). Salmon and cheese (in small amounts) are always a treat if you are serving them.
If family and friends are coming over, you may want to give your cat access to their favorite hiding place. If your dog is not properly socialized, then be mindful if they can have a tendency to jump on others when excited.
Easter is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. Just a bit of forethought can go a long way in keeping your pet safe during Easter.