Pet Safe Easter

For a holiday that has baby bunnies and chicks as its mascots, Easter isn’t the most pet-safe occasion on the calendar. Between the sale of animals as gifts and the many hazards that come with Easter gifting, it can be a minefield! Here’s how to do your part to have a Pet Safe Easter. 

Don’t Gift Animals

Baby animals are irresistible. That “aww” response to them is literally part of our brains! But the desire to care for them and our ability to do so don’t always coincide, especially for children. 

While a baby bunny or chick may seem like a good gift, understand they are a significant commitment. Pet rabbits can live to be up to 12 years old! Depending on your kids’ age, they may outlive their high school years (and time in your home). 

Rabbits take care and crave affection. They need to have their cage cleaned, have time to hop around, and want to be part of the family. If that won’t work in your household, a stuffed bunny may be a better choice. 

Likewise, chicks grow up to be chickens, and most people don’t want to keep them indoors. That means you need to set up a pen and safe area for them with access to exercise. They’ll also need food. And chickens can attract rats if you don’t keep their area sanitary. 

Assuming your chicken will be outside, you’ll want more than one because they’re social birds who will get lonely without companionship. And their life span? Backyard chickens generally live 8-10 years but can live up to 20!

Raising chickens can be fun, but it’s also a lot of work, so like with all pet adoption, don’t go into it lightly!

Easter Eggs

One of the most commonly shared Easter traditions is the egg hunt, in which a parent or the Easter Bunny hides colored eggs around the house for kids to find. It’s super fun! 

But you want to avoid a pet finding (and eating) them first. While a little bit of egg is generally okay for a dog or cat, the fat content is too high for their bodies in human-sized quantities (let alone a dozen). 

The easiest solution for that is simply to use fake eggs – Just as fun but less dangerous. And if the kids miss one, you won’t get a stinky surprise. 

Foods and Pet Safe Easter

Your pets have a great sense of smell. But sometimes, (especially for dogs around food), those noses can get them into trouble. With all the excitement and changes in routine around a holiday, it’s easy for even the most careful pet parents to make dangerous mistakes. 

While no one wants an Easter Dinner ruined ala the hounds next door in A Christmas Story, the consequences can be even more serious if your pets ingest certain foods that are common around Easter. 

Here are some of the most common foods and items that prevent a Pet Safe Easter:

• Chocolate – toxic to both dogs and cats, leaving those Easter baskets unattended is an easy mistake to make, especially for kids. Keep a close eye on them and keep them out of pets’ reach. 
• Plastic Grass – It’s technically not a food but some pets don’t seem to realize that! Unfortunately, this plastic can get tangled and lodge in their digestive tracts.
• Plants – Lilies are a popular Easter plant. Unfortunately, when pets eat them, it can cause severe kidney damage. 
• Ham—Pork isn’t bad for animals per se, but the amount of salt in ham can severely tax the kidneys. 
• Hot Cross Buns – These tasty treats often have raisins, currants, or sultanas. Grapes (and their close relatives( can damage your dogs’ kidneys. 

Have a Happy and Pet Safe Easter

The hazards we mentioned are by no means comprehensive, and you should always be cautious when introducing something new into your pets’ environment. Never give them human food without first researching whether it’s safe. 

So whether you’re celebrating Easter or just enjoying Spring, we want your pets to be safe. Have a Petsafe Spring. Have a Petsafe Easter!