The Easter celebrations may be over, and hopefully you have managed to avoid any holiday disasters. After all the egg hunts, family lunches, and chocolate fun, forgotten hazards could turn into real emergencies fast.
Now’s the time for a post-Easter pet safety sweep—because one small oversight could mean an urgent trip to the vet.
Here’s what to watch for:
Leftover Easter chocolate might seem like a harmless snack, but it can be extremely dangerous for pets. Chocolate—especially dark and baking types—contains theobromine and caffeine. Dogs are extremely sensitive to these ingredients.. Symptoms of toxicity include include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and even seizures.
If you have sugar-free treats around, check for xylitol, a common sweetener which can be fatal in dogs. Be careful, as recently it has been rebranded as ‘Birch Sugar’ on food labels
If you have a cat, you might have noticed how much they love to chew on plants. If Easter bouquets are still brightening up your home, be careful. Easter lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Even a small lick of pollen, a bite of the leaf, or a sip of a vase of water can quickly cause acute kidney injury.
It’s safer to stick with pet-friendly greenery – like pots of catnip, or cat grass.
After a big Easter meal, it’s tempting to share leftovers with your pet. But remember our pets are only small, and not used to fat-rich diets. So even small amounts of foods like sausages, roast pork, ham or desserts can cause disaster. Pancreatitis and severe diarrhoea can be emergency conditions that can end your pet in hospital feeling poorly for days.
By all means share your meals with your pets, but choose healthier options. Cooked lean means (chicken, turkey breast) and unseasoned, dog-safe veggies are a safer option.
After Easter getaways, it’s not uncommon for pets to return with unwanted hitchhikers like fleas or ticks—especially after camping or bushwalks, or even from boarding catteries and kennels.
Be sure your pets are protected with the right flea and tick prevention.
Monthly chews, spot-on, or even annual injections are now available. But not every product suits every pet. Chat with your vet to find the best fit, or book an appointment with our outpatient consultants to find the best fit for your pet, from a veterinary professional.
The long weekends are a great break for us all, and an excellent time to get out in the garden and tick off those long to-do lists. Remember to be mindful of fertilisers and herbicides used in the garden as they are toxic to your pets, who are very interested in your newly turned over garden.
Store these products safely out of reach and keep pets away from freshly treated lawns or flowerbeds until it’s safe.
Some Easter dangers aren’t obvious until it’s too late, these are our suggestions from our experience treating holiday pet emergencies.
If your pet is showing signs of sickness—or if you think they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t—don’t wait.
Reach Us Quickly in Any Emergency!
Call Lilydale Vet Centre immediately at (03) 9738 7633—we’re here to help your pet bounce back safely
