5 Hidden Dangers for Pets at Easter

Posted by Administrator on 4/22/2011 to Dog Talk

Is your Easter basket full of items that could be dangerous to your pets? Keep your pets safe this Easter and avoid these 5 hidden dangers!

Easter Pet Danger 1: Poisonous Flowers & Plants
While they make for beautiful centerpieces on your Easter table, certain plants and flowers can be deadly for pets. Lilies, amaryllis, and kalanchoe are just a few popular flowers used in Easter floral arrangements and all three are on the ASPCA's 17 Common Poisonous Plants list. It is extremely important to keep floral arrangements out of your house that contain these, and/or any other poisonous plants, as many pets are apt to chew on them. Reactions can range from cardiac issues to kidney failure, even death, depending on the plant or flower consumed. Even the tiniest nibble of some poisonous plants is enough to cause serious health issues.

If you are unsure of the safety of the flowers in a floral arrangement, always check with your pet's veterinarian before bringing them into your house. The ASPCA also has a great database where you can search for "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants" on their website.

Easter Pet Danger 2: Chocolate

From chocolate bunnies to chocolate eggs, Easter baskets are traditionally overflowing with this rich confection. However, chocolate is extremely dangerous (and potentially deadly) to pets: especially dogs, who are more apt to gnaw at a tempting chocolate rabbit. Many people also use chocolates as hidden treats or trails for Easter egg hunts. This is a recipe for disaster: you don't want to risk missing a piece that is found by your cat or dog, as this could result in a life-threatening situation for your pet.

According to HealthyPet.com, chocolate is poisonous to pets due to the ingredient theobromine. Different types of chocolate contain different levels of theobromine, but any amount is considered dangerous and should be kept out of the reach of your pets.

While the best way to prevent potential poisoning is to completely avoid having any type of chocolate in the house, if you feel you must include it in your holiday menu, be sure to keep chocolate out of Easter Baskets, egg hunts, or anywhere your pet has access to.

Easter Pet Danger 3: Cellophane Easter Grass

Easter grass is the close cousin to Christmas tinsel and just as difficult to keep off the floor and away from pets. This slimy shredded packing material can find its way into the deepest corners of a house, which is not just a cleaning nightmare, but it can be a serious pet safety issue as well.

Cats especially like to play with Easter grass as it closely resembles string. The short length of the grass makes it easy to be swallowed and the strands can get caught in the intestinal tract which can result in life-threatening obstructions.

Consider replacing cellophane Easter grass with safe alternatives such as shredded newspaper. This safe alternative is less likely to tempt pets and is better for the environment. So save your pets (and your vacuum) and avoid the cellophane grass this year.

Easter Pet Danger 4: Table Scraps

With an abundance of delicious food, many a plate could be overfilled by guests whose eyes were bigger than their stomachs. And what better way to help clean your plate than to innocently offer a few scraps to those big puppy eyes under the table? As innocent as the intention may be, table scraps can pose lots of health hazards to your pets.

Some foods are not easily digested by dogs or cats which can lead to gastro-intestinal upset. Aside from not wanting your pet to become sick, you certainly don't want to have to stop your Easter celebration to clean up pet vomit or diarrhea.

But there are other dangers besides an upset stomach. Eggs that are leftover from Easter egg hunts can be contaminated with salmonella which can cause very severe illness. In addition, dogs that are given bones can gnaw shards off that can get lodged in their throats or stomachs, a serious issue that could require surgery.

To help prevent party poopers (literally): politely ask your guests to refrain from feeding table scraps to your pets.

Easter Pet Danger 5: Real Animals in Easter Baskets
We all see the pictures of fluffy yellow chicks and floppy-eared bunnies advertised in Easter baskets. But what you don't see is the bacteria and the ten year commitment they come with. As cute as they look in the store, they pose health risks to children and require as much responsibility to won as a cat or a dog.

Chicks are popular animals at Easter, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that those yellow balls of fluff can carry salmonella: a dangerous strain of bacteria. In addition, those fluffy little chicks quickly grow into full-size birds. They require lots of space, proper care, and they fast become a real responsibility that could take up a large amount of time each day.

Every year, many rabbits are abandoned at shelters a few weeks after Easter. Many parents buy bunnies for their kids' Easter baskets without fully understanding the responsibility that comes with owning a rabbit.

Rabbits are very fragile animals and can easily be injured by an overzealous hug from an excited child. They also have sharp teeth and claws which can in turn, injure the child. Aside from the dangers of a hug, bunnies grow into adult rabbits very quickly. They require ample indoor space and their care is comparable to that of a cat or a dog. According to the House Rabbit Society, rabbits can live up to ten or more years: a long commitment to proper care.

So instead of purchasing a live chick or a bunny for a child's Easter basket, consider a stuffed animal instead. The toys are cleaner, can withstand tight squeezes, and you don't have to wake up at 5am every morning to feed it.

Another alternative is to make a donation to a local zoo and sponsor an animal. Many organizations will send you a photo of the animal your donation goes towards that you can put in the Easter basket. Extend the fun of this gift with family trips to the zoo in the spring and summer to visit your sponsored animal. It is a great way to educate children and create a unique and interactive Easter experience. How many other kids at school can say that they got a hippopotamus for Easter?

*For more information on how to keep your pet safe this Easter, or if you think your pet may have come into contact with a harmful plant, food product or any other potentially dangerous item: contact your pet's veterinarian immediately!

*The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any pet health issues. The information in this article should not replace the professional care and consultation from your pet's veterinarian.

Sources:
www.associatedcontent.com/article/2825538/pet_safety_at_easter_5_hidden_dangers.html?cat=53

ASPCA, "17 Common Poisonous Plants," www.aspca.org

HealthyPet.com, "Pet Care: Chocolate is dangerous for pets," www.healthypet.com

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Why parents should think twice about giving baby birds for Easter," www.cdc.gov

House Rabbit Society, "Easter and Rabbits," www.rabbit.org