Keeping Pets Safe During Easter

Discussing The Best Ways To Keep Your Pets Safe And Happy During The Easter Holiday

Easter is just around the corner and many families are eagerly getting ready for a day of festivities, delicious meals, egg hunts, and sweet treats. However, while Easter is a time of joy and celebration, it can also pose various hazards to our beloved pets. From tempting foods to Easter decorations, there are several potential dangers lurking around every corner.

Therefore, it’s important to prioritize the safety and well-being of our furry friends during the Easter holiday. This article will offer some general advice and tips to help keep your pets happy, healthy, and safe during the Easter holiday. 

Easter Chocolate

You can’t have Easter without chocolate! However, chocolate is one of the most significant threats to your pets during Easter. This is because there are two compounds found in chocolate (Theobromine and caffeine), that are toxic to both dogs and cats. The severity of the toxicity depends on factors like the type of chocolate, the amount ingested, and the size of the pet.

Therefore, it’s imperative to keep all Easter chocolate away from your pets. Store chocolate eggs, bunnies, and other treats out of your pet’s reach, preferably in closed cabinets or high shelves. 

Additionally, it’s important to educate family members about this as well. Ensure everyone in the household understands the dangers of chocolate for pets and the importance of keeping it away from them. 

Easter Decorations

Easter decorations, such as plastic eggs, artificial grass, and decorative plants, can pose various risks to curious pets. All of these different decorations are both choking hazards and can cause serious digestive complications when ingested. 

Therefore, we recommend keeping all Easter decorations out of your pets’ reach. Place decorations in high up areas or in areas inaccessible to your pets. This will prevent them from chewing and/or swallowing potentially harmful objects. Additionally, you can invest in pet-safe decorations instead. Use decorations made from non-toxic materials, or consider DIY alternatives using pet-friendly materials.

Easter Lilies

Another common Easter tradition is the buying and gifting of Lilies. While beautiful and fragrant, Easter lilies are highly toxic to dogs and cats and can cause severe kidney damage or even prove fatal if ingested. Other varieties of lilies, such as Tiger and Goldband, can also be dangerous to pets when ingested.

Therefore, it’s recommended that you avoid bringing lilies into the house if you own pets. Alternatively, you can invest in plastic lilies instead. There are also alternative, pet-safe flowers that you can bring into your home instead. For a comprehensive list of pet safe flowers, click here.  

Easter Dinner

Most families celebrate the Easter holiday with a large feast or dinner that is laden with delicious foods. However, many of these items can be harmful to pets. The foods we eat usually have spices and preservatives that dogs and cats can’t properly digest.

Therefore, avoid feeding pets table scraps at all costs. This is especially true for foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and any dishes containing xylitol, as these can be toxic to them. Additionally, ensure garbage bins are tightly sealed to prevent pets from rummaging through them and consuming harmful foods. The same goes for leaving any food on your kitchen counters or tables. 

Stress Management

Easter celebrations can be stressful for pets due to increased noise, visitors, and changes in routine. Therefore, it’s important to do everything you can to help ease your pet’s stress and anxiety levels. One great way to do this is to create a safe space for them. Preferably a guest room or basement that they can have all to themselves.

The key is to provide a quiet, comfortable area where your pets can retreat if they feel overwhelmed by the festivities. Provide some soft blankets, peaceful background noise, and some of their favorite toys in this area. You can also invest in calming treats or pheromone diffusers to help them relax. For more information about pet calming treats, click here.  For more information about pet pheromone diffusers, click here. 

Hire A Pet Sitter This Easter!

If you or someone you know is looking for pet sitting or dog walking services, then look no further than Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking! We service the Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and West San Jose areas. Click here to contact us or give us a call at 408-752-2997.

Additionally, be sure to check us out on social media too! We post regularly on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update or adorable picture of the many pets we care for.