Enjoying Easter with our pets

Easter is a fun time for the whole family, perfect for enjoying being together, which of course includes having our furry companions ensconced in proceedings. With hot cross buns and Cadbury Crème eggs (my personal weakness) appearing on the supermarket shelves on Boxing Day, there’s no doubt Aussies love to celebrate with their tastebuds. However, many of the Easter treats we love to indulge in contain potentially deadly ingredients for our pets.

Chocolate
It will come as no surprise to many that chocolate is toxic to pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, which at high doses will cause a rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhoea, panting, restlessness, and an increase in thirst. At very high doses, chocolate can even cause seizures, muscle tremors, and death. Check out the chocolate toxicity calculator on our website (collaroyplateauvet.com) if you want to confirm whether your pet has ingested a concerning dose. Also call your vet if concerned.

Hot Cross Buns

Any tasty treat containing sultanas, raisins, or currents is toxic to dogs and cats. These fruits, and to a lesser extent grapes, can cause kidney failure, even if only a small amount is eaten. Pets vary in how sensitive they are to these fruits, so it is always better to err on the side of caution and contact your vet if you suspect your pet has eaten any at all. It can take a few days for signs of kidney damage – reduced appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, lethargy – to develop.

Flowers

While Easter is celebrated in Autumn in our fair hemisphere, rather than Spring, the beauty of a fragrant bunch of lilies is still hard to resist. All members of the true lily family, including Asiatic lilies, are extremely toxic to cats. Even a small brush of pollen that is groomed off the fur, or drinking the water from a vase containing lilies, can cause fatal kidney failure within a few days. It is best to regift any flower bunches containing lilies to your best pet-free friend. Alternatively, you can snip the stamens off to avoid falling pollen, place the vase high out of reach, and dispose of them before they wither and drop petals or leaves.

What can you do to celebrate Easter with your furry pals, safely? 

1. Easter Treat Hunt
Hide safe edible treats around the house or garden and watch your dog or cat’s nose go to work finding them all. You can hide them in toilet paper rolls or puzzle feeders for added enrichment. 

2. Organise a Play Date
Dogs and cats on the social side will love a chance to frolic with their friends, either indoors or outside in a safe area. A new Easter themed toy to share, such as an Easter egg shaped ball or a colourful feather wand, will add to the fun (and chaos).

3. Explore a New Area
Taking your dog out to a new area to explore, full of interesting smells for them and sights for you, is sure to help burn off those extra treats. We have many dog-friendly walks and off leash play areas on the Northern Beaches – check out the council website, randomly point your paw at one you’ve never visited before, and head outside to the great outdoors.