There are a few things to keep in mind this long weekend.
Easter means chocolate bunnies, hidden treats, family dinners, and lots of activities. Keep your pet safe amidst all the commotion.
First and foremost, be careful not to ingest anything that could harm you. Chocolate is toxic to pets. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. However, many candies and treats also contain xylitol, which can fatally lower your pet's blood sugar levels (though it's safe for humans).
It's fun for kids to search for hidden treasures behind couches and under tables, but most pets have even sharper skills than their two-legged siblings when it comes to finding objects. . Make sure your pet does not leave the room after the Easter Bunny makes his rounds. Also, adults will have to clean up the place after the kids think they've used up all the loot.
The most obvious signs that your pet has ingested chocolate include gastrointestinal upset, hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. Xylitol can cause lethargy, hypoglycemia, vomiting, yellow mucous membranes, black stools, loss of coordination, collapse, and seizures. Take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
Fluff and stuffing in Easter baskets can be especially dangerous for cats, dogs, and others who may be attracted to the scent of the food on them. It is a choking hazard and can cause serious stomach problems.
At dinner time, watch out for turkey and ham bones (as always). Poultry bones are very dangerous because they can break and cause great harm. However, beef, ham, and other bones can also be crushed. Onions and garlic can cause damage to red blood cells.
Easter is also a time to pay attention to indoor and outdoor plants. Longhair lilies (and other flowering plants) are a welcome addition to the home in the spring, but lilies and other plants can be very dangerous to cats, especially to their kidneys and tummies.
Gardening season traditionally begins on Victoria Day weekend in Canada, but some people are taking advantage of the Easter long weekend to get out in the garden and start preparing their lawns and flower beds. If you're fertilizing your lawn, be sure to keep your pet indoors for a few days (read the label on each product or look up pet safety on Google).
The coming and going of guests can agitate pets, and the opening and closing of doors can give indoor pets a chance to explore the (dangerous) outdoors. Please be very careful.
We hate to be Debbie Downers, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. A little preparation and caution can prevent many heartbreaks.
Have a happy, healthy and safe Easter long weekend!
