Tips to keep pets safe this Easter
Easter is a joyful time to relax and enjoy a few extra days off with family, friends, and of course, some quality cuddle time with our four-legged companions. Whether you’re picnicking in the park or hosting a backyard BBQ, it’s important to remember that some festive foods and seasonal plants can pose a serious risk to your pet’s health.
To help you keep your furry family members safe and happy this Easter, we’ve put together a few key tips to avoid common hazards—plus a pet-friendly treat recipe they’ll absolutely love!
Choose your floral decor carefully
When decorating your home for the season, be mindful of popular flowers like lilies, daffodils, and tulips, which are toxic to pets. These can cause symptoms such as drooling, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy.
Instead, opt for pet-safe blooms like roses or sunflowers and keep any risky plants out of paw’s reach.
Store chocolate safely
If you’re setting up an Easter egg hunt, make sure all chocolate treats are placed in sealed containers and hidden securely. And, don’t forget to make sure that all are accounted for after the hunt!
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats—even in small amounts—and can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and seizures.
Watch out for harmful ingredients
Some classic Easter snacks can be dangerous to pets. Hot cross buns often contain raisins or currants, which are toxic to dogs.
Peanut butter can be harmful if it contains xylitol, and citrus fruits can upset your pet’s stomach. Always double-check ingredients and keep human treats out of reach.
Don’t forget about foil, paper and food scraps
The shiny foil from chocolate eggs, decorative shredded paper, and leftover food scraps may be tempting to curious pets but can cause choking, intestinal blockages, or poisoning.
Always clean up promptly after meals and gift unwrapping.
Easter pet treat
To make sure your pet doesn’t feel left out of the festivities, we’ve included a delicious Easter recipe made just for dogs and cats—no dangerous ingredients, just tail-wagging goodness!
Carrot & Oat Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of oat flour (or blended oats)
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 175°C
- In a large bowl, mix the ingredients until well combined. The mixture should form a soft, dough-like consistency. If it feels too sticky, add a little more oat flour until it holds its shape.
- Roll into a small ball or use cookie cutters for fun shapes.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 12 – 15 minutes or until firm. Let cool before serving.
Enjoy a Safe and Happy Easter!
The following resources can help and your furry friend enjoy a stress-free and joyful Easter together. 🐰🐶🐱
- https://bowwowinsurance.com.au/pet-community/pet-talk/easter-fun-with-pets/
- https://bowwowinsurance.com.au/pet-community/pet-talk/9-plants-you-should-never-plant-in-your-garden/
- https://bowwowinsurance.com.au/pet-community/pet-talk/why-is-chocolate-bad-for-dogs/
- Intoxication (poisoning) in dogs and cats
- Good and bad human foods – What to feed and what to not feed your dog
- Emergency cat food: The human foods cats can eat
- Emergency dog food: Safe foods for dogs to eat
Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance can help protect you and your pet should an unexpected trip to the vet occur.
- Find out more about our dog insurance options
- Find out more about our cat insurance options
- Get an instant online pet insurance quote
