5 Easter Hazards That Could Harm Your Pet
Bunnies, eggs and baskets, oh my! While the Easter holiday brings religious undertones and a glimpse of warmer weather on the way, pet parents should be on guard for the hazards the holiday can bring including basket fillers, grass and plastic eggs. To avoid any detours to the vet this Easter season, check out these 5 potential hazards to keep an eye on when it comes to your favorite furry friend.
1. Plastic grass
Plastic grass and straw used in Easter baskets can be a tempting chew treat for your pets, especially when it comes to cats. For any animal, the grass and straw are easily swallowed and can lead to digestive issues, resulting in vomiting, bloating and dehydration.
2. Easter eggs
Hiding Easter eggs is a huge tradition with families, but can turn into a dangerous situation for our pets. If you’re hiding eggs around the house or in the yard that are filled with chocolate and candy, make sure you have a count of how many eggs you hide. Your curious pets will want to sniff out and uncover any leftover eggs if they have some sweet treats inside, which could lead to a trip to the vet if they ingest chocolate or candy.
Plastic eggs can also be seen as a chew toy for pets as well, but the plastic can easily lead to digestive issues, respiratory tract irritation and possible obstruction when swallowed or inhaled. Chewed-off or broken pieces of the eggs can also lead to cuts on your pet’s paws and in their mouth.
3. Food
While puppy eyes can be cute, pet parents should avoid throwing the scraps of pork roast, ham or any other fatty cuts of meat to their pets as it can turn into digestive issues or pancreatitis if they consume an excessive amount. Be extra careful with the twine that holds these cuts of meat together; it can block their digestive tract if they decide to eat it. In addition to meats, many of the ingredients used in Easter dishes are poisonous for pets, such as onions or garlic, so be sure to only give your pet their designated food and keep your guests in the loop on what foods can and cannot be consumed by your pet.
4. Chocolate
This is a big favorite with the Easter holiday but chocolate should always be on the radar of a pet parent no matter what. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is highly toxic for dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater the concentration of theobromine and even just a small amount can lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, seizures or heart failure. The small candy wrappers used on tiny, foil wrapped eggs can also wreak havoc on a dog's digestive tract and possibly cause an obstruction in their throat. Immediate veterinary care is recommended for any dog that consumes chocolate.
5. Yeast dough
While not something all pet parents think about if making homemade bread or rolls for Easter dinner, yeast bread dough can lead to alcohol toxicity and stomach bloating if your pet decides to eat it. When consumed, the alcohol is produced from fermenting yeast as the dough rises in your pet’s warm stomach and the process can cause a bloated abdomen, vomiting, unproductive retching and drunkenness. In severe cases, your pet’s stomach can twist and would require emergency surgery.
Keeping an eye on your pet during holidays may seem like a lot, but just being aware of what’s happening or what will be happening during that day to take preventative measures can really be the difference between having fun and making a detour to the vet. Remember, if you think your pet ingested something they shouldn’t have, always call your vet to see what they recommend.
Easter usually signifies spring and warmer weather, which is a great time to think about finding a local daily dog walker to help get your pup outside! Going Mutts Pet Services would love to be your first choice when it comes to your pet care needs when you’re away from the home and your furry friend. Along with daily walks, we help with potty breaks and check-ins for cats and dogs. Contact us today to see how we can help customize a plan for you and your four-legged friends!
Sources:
https://happytailservet.com/blog/top-5-easter-pet-safety-hazards/
https://www.americanhumane.org/blog/easter-safety-tips-for-your-pet/
