With Easter just around the corner, there is fun and excitement for the whole family with holidays, visitors, and Easter egg hunts. However, as much fun as these festivities can be, they can often pose risks to our beloved four-legged family members.
Chocolate and Lollies
If there is one thing we all associate with Easter it’s chocolate.
As delicious as chocolate is for humans, it is harmful and can even be fatal to cats and dogs when ingested. Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine, which are metabolised much more slowly than humans, resulting in toxicity.
Signs your pet has chocolate poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased thirst/urination
- Restlessness or agitation
- Rapid breathing/panting
- Increased heart rate
- Tremors
- Seizures
Symptoms can start anywhere from one hour after digestion to 24 hours later. If you suspect that your cat or dog has eaten chocolate, it is critical that you take them to a vet to be assessed as soon as possible.
Easter egg hunt
The Easter egg hunt is the most exciting part of Easter for our little ones.
Whether you’re using chocolate eggs or filled reusable eggs, both varieties can cause real harm to our pets. Reusable eggs can be a choking hazard to dogs and even cause internal blockages, while chocolate eggs can prove toxic to both dogs and cats.
That doesn’t mean you need to skip this time-honoured tradition, but by taking a few extra steps, you can ensure that every family member has a safe and fun Easter.
- Make sure pets are securely contained once you have put any eggs out for the hunt
- Put the eggs in locations hard for pets to access, such as off the ground and up high
- Make sure that all eggs are collected before allowing pets to return to the area
If your pet eats something that they shouldn’t have, please make sure that you contact a vet as soon as possible.
Easter visitors and pets
While we may love having visitors drop in, unknown house guests can cause stress and confusion for cats and dogs. To help keep your pet safe and calm, make sure that they have a safe spot that they can go to that feels comforting to them. Set this up in a location they like that is easily accessed but far away from loud noises from your gathering. Place their bed, some favourite toys, and an old jumper or T-shirt that smells like you for added comfort.
Even for the most social animals, having a quiet space to escape to will help them regulate their emotions if they become tired or overwhelmed.
Easter holidays with pets
If you plan on travelling this Easter, remember to make sure your pets are ready, too! If they are staying in a kennel or cattery, they will need to have all their vaccinations up to date. So please book an appointment to make them holiday-ready.
Remember that our friendly team is here to help you and your pet every day of the year. Please call us on 03 9382 3021 to book an appointment or online.