As you finalise your preparations for the 4-day weekend, have a look at our top tips for a pet-friendly Easter.
Easter eggs are poisonous to dogs and cats
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats so make sure your Easter eggs stay well out of their reach! Store them in a safe place that your pet can’t get to and keep your pet at a safe distance when you’re tucking in.
Other poisonous foods
The following foods are also poisonous for pets so should be stored safely away with your Easter eggs:
- Xylitol (found in sugar-free treats like chewing gum, peanut butter, even some baked goods)
- Grapes and raisins
- Alcohol
- Salt
- Caffeine
- Mouldy food (that your dog may have stolen from the bin)
If you’re unsure whether or not something is poisonous for your pet, we always recommend erring on the side of caution. If something isn’t designed for dogs/cats/bunnies to eat, don’t feed them it! There are plenty of healthy, vet-approved treats to give your furry friend during the Easter break.
Toxic garden plants
If the weather is nice enough for some garden fun, make sure your pet doesn’t ingest any of these flowers:
- Lilies
- Daffodils
- Rhododendrons (including Azaleas)
- Dumb cane (dieffenbachia – a common houseplant)
- Ivy
- Foxgloves
- Mistletoe
- Poinsettia
- Chrysanthemums
If they do, come and see us straight away. We recommend calling ahead so we can prepare for your arrival.
Mow the lawn
There are many advantages to keeping your lawn in good condition. First off, you’re more likely to spot hazards such as large or jagged stones… if you spot these things and remove them, you’ll lower your dog’s chances of having an accident when they’re out playing.
Regular mowing of the lawn will also help to keep stinging insects and/or parasites at bay.
Avoid feeding lawnmower clippings to your bunnies or guinea pigs, just in case a foreign body has mixed up with them.
Preventative health care
Make sure your dog is ready for the great outdoors. Now that they’ll be encountering other animals more often – both pets and wildlife – it’s especially important to make sure that they’re up to date with their vaccinations. Likewise, fleas and ticks love the springtime too, so make sure your pet is protected.
Microchipping your cat/dog means you’re more likely to be reunited with them if they wonder off a little too far. Ask in practice for more info!
Take care when cleaning
Nothing says spring like a good ol’ clean! As you pull out your rubber gloves this Easter, make sure that harmful cleaning chemicals are kept well out of your pet’s way. During a major clean, it’s worth keeping them in a different room altogether.
We wish you and your pets a Happy Easter! As always, don’t forget to contact us if you have any questions about your pet’s health or welfare!