Here are a few safety tips for one of our favorite Holidays to help everyone have a safe and Happy Easter.
Easter Lilies
When you're decorating your home for Easter, make sure that the plants you display are safe for your pets. Plants like Easter Lilies are toxic and can cause kidney problems in cats and can even be life-threatening of ingested.
Chocolate
No Easter would be complete without a chocolate bunny, but even though it is relatively harmless to humans, chocolate is toxic to our pets. The theobromine in chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rate and rhythm and possible seizures. The Higher the percentage of Chocolate the worse it is for your pet. Which means coco powder and baking chocolate is worse than semi-sweet which is worse than dark chocolate which is worse than milk chocolate.
Be sure to supervise any young children so that they don't give chocolate to your pets, or accidentally let them eat it when your kids aren't paying attention.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute in many sugar-free gums and candies. Even though it is safe for use in people, it rapidly releases insulin into a dog’s bloodstream causing an extreme drop in a pet’s blood sugar level and can lead to possible loss of consciousness, seizures, and liver failure.
Easter Ham
Fatty foods like ham or buttery mashed potatoes can lead to repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, weakness, lethargy, fever and severe pancreatitis. Offer your pet a can of their favorite dog food as a special Easter treat instead of food from your Easter table.
Candy
Any candy if eaten in abundance can cause an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea even for our pets. But candy or foods that contain grapes and raisins can also lead to life threatening kidney failure.
Plastic Easter Eggs and Easter Grass
Plastic Easter eggs can be just as inviting to our pets as they are for kids. Plastic eggs, plastic Easter grass, and even the wrappers on candy can be a hazard for your pets and can be very harmful if swallowed.
If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435.