Easter is around the corner and so are Easter hazards! This beautiful springtime holiday brings many delights, but also a few dangers for our pets. Here are a few tips to keep your pets safe this Easter.
1. Keep Easter baskets out of reach for the following reasons:
- Easter candy isn’t good for your pet. Jelly beans and marshmallow candy contain lots of sugar and can raise your pet’s blood glucose to dangerous levels. Even diet candy is bad for dogs. Sugar substitutes, like xylitol, can be toxic and can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar or liver failure. Chocolate candy contains a chemical called theobromine that is toxic to dogs. That chocolate Easter bunny can elevate your dog’s heart rate or even cause a seizure. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. And all candy can cause vomiting or diarrhea, especially if the dog eats candy wrapper and all.
- Easter eggs pose a danger, too. Consumption of boiled eggs can definitely cause an upset stomach and may really constipate a dog if the shells are eaten. Passing undigested egg shells can make your dog miserable. If the dog swallows the egg whole, it can block the intestinal tract and surgery may be needed to remove it. Eggs that get left “unfound” after the Easter egg hunt will quickly spoil. When the dog finally finds” the spoiled egg, his GI tract will suffer the consequences.
- Synthetic grass lining the basket can also create problems. Fake grass made of paper or plastic will cause GI troubles if ingested. Even worse, long strings of fake grass can cause an intestinal blockage called an “intussusception” where the intestines bunch up. Surgery is needed to correct this serious blockage.
2. Easter lilies should be elevated. If your dog eats the white flowers of the Easter lily, he will likely develop diarrhea and start to vomit. Besides irritating the intestinal tract, these beautiful lilies can be deadly as they cause kidney failure. As soon as you notice that your Easter lily has been nibbled on, call your veterinarian right away. Prompt treatment can prevent kidney failure and minimize GI symptoms.
3. Decorative plastic eggs should be out of reach. Even though plastic eggs don’t taste good, dogs eat them anyway. Since plastic won’t digest, they have to pass through the GI tract. Sometimes, the dog eliminates the egg intact, but often the egg gets stuck and (you guessed it) has to be surgically removed. Also, if the dog bites the plastic egg, the resulting sharp edges can perforate the bowel loops and cause a serious infection in the body cavity.
4. Don’t share your Easter feast. Remember to keep the Sunday feast away from your dog. Baked ham and yams are not the best meal for your pet. Your dog should also skip dessert on Easter Sunday.
With all the fun stuff off limits, how can your pets enjoy Easter? You can give him a safe Easter treat like a new chew toy or take them for a long walk in the warmer weather. Spending time with you is what he wants most!