Here are 6 hazards to look out for so that everyone — human and canine — can have a safe and happy Easter.
1. Easter Baskets
They’re fun gifts for children but keep Easter baskets and toys away from your curious dog. Shiny tinsel or colorful Easter basket grass might look like an enticing snack to a dog, but if eaten, it can become caught in the intestines or cause choking. The same goes for small toys and other goodies that can be gulped down when you’re not looking.
2. Easter Eggs
Hiding and finding Easter eggs is a fun holiday treat. Just don’t forget where they’re hidden — because your dog is sure to find them if you don’t! Fresh, hardboiled eggs are OK for dogs to eat in moderation, but if your dog finds a spoiled egg days later, he could be heading for an upset tummy. Keep track of the number of eggs you’ve hidden!
3. Flowers
What’s Easter without a beautiful bouquet of Easter lilies adorning the table? Thankfully, this beautiful flower is not particularly poisonous to dogs unless ingested in large amounts, but for our feline friends, even a tiny lick can prove extremely dangerous. If your house includes cats, play it safe, and don’t bring Easter lilies into your home.
Be aware that other types of lilies, including calla lilies and lily of the valley, are poisonous to both cats and dogs, with symptoms ranging anywhere from stomach upset to tremors depending on the amount ingested.
4. Chocolate
Calls increase by nearly 200 percent during the week of Easter, with owners calling with concerns about chocolate poisoning from Easter candy. Delicious for humans, chocolate is poisonous to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and possibly death if eaten in large amounts. Dark chocolate is even more poisonous to dogs than milk chocolate because it contains more of the chemical theobromine, which is responsible for the poisonous effects.
5. Easter Candy
Dogs are attracted to the sweet taste of candy, but just like chocolate, it’s a no-no, but mainly because dogs don’t need all that extra sugar. Sugar-free candy that contains xylitol is especially bad for pets and can cause a drop in blood sugar, seizures, or liver failure. Keep any Easter edibles safely out of reach of your dog.
6. Giant Easter Bunnies
It may be tempting to get your dog’s photo with the Easter Bunny, but make sure your dog is comfortable with the idea of being held by a giant plush creature. A scared dog can be dangerous to himself and others.
Wishing you a safe and happy Easter!