Easter is filled with family fun, chocolatey treats, and beautifully blooming flowers. Whether you’re hosting an Easter lunch or planning a backyard egg hunt, it’s easy to overlook the hidden hazards this festive season can pose to your pets. At Ultimate Pet Care, our mission is to help pet parents across South Africa keep their furry friends healthy and safe, not just with grooming but through useful, seasonal pet care tips like these.
If you’re a pet owner celebrating Easter, here’s a detailed guide to Easter dangers for pets and how to keep your cats and dogs safe during the holidays.
It might be delicious to us, but chocolate is toxic to dogs. It contains a chemical called theobromine, which dogs can’t metabolise efficiently. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the theobromine content – and the greater the risk.
Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and mini treats are often left within easy reach of curious pets. Be especially careful if you’re hiding chocolate eggs for a hunt – dogs have a much better sense of smell than we do, and they’re likely to sniff out treats meant for the kids.
Hot cross buns are an Easter staple in many South African homes, but they’re not made with pets in mind. Ingredients like raisins and certain spices may seem harmless to us, but can be a concern for animals.
If you’re baking from scratch, be extra careful with uncooked dough – and don’t leave it unattended on the counter. Pets don’t always know what’s safe to nibble, and dough can be especially tempting.
Some nuts are fine for humans, but many are harmful or even toxic to pets. For example:
To be safe, avoid giving your pets any nuts, especially during Easter gatherings where snacks and treats are shared around.
Many homes and gardens bloom with flowers at Easter, a time of renewal and fresh beginnings! However, not all flowers are pet-friendly, so it’s important to know which plants are harmful to your pets.
Some of the most toxic plants for pets during Easter include daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, and true lilies. Daffodil bulbs are particularly poisonous, but even the leaves and flowers are mildly irritating. The bulbs of hyacinths and tulips are the most dangerous. True lilies, especially Easter, Stargazer, Tiger, and Daylilies, are poisonous to pets; even contact with pollen or a leaf can cause health issues.
From fluffy toy chicks to shiny ribbons, plastic eggs, and decorative grass, Easter décor can add a festive flair to your home – but it also brings new textures and objects that might seem like toys to your pet.
If your pet is the playful or chew-happy type, keep an eye on anything small, stringy or breakable. Even the packaging on Easter goodies can look like a toy to a curious cat or dog. Choosing pet-safe toys and keeping decorations out of reach is the easiest way to avoid any holiday mishaps.
At the end of the day, Easter is about enjoying time together – and our pets are part of the family too. By being aware of a few potential hazards and making small adjustments, you can make sure the season stays stress-free for everyone (furry friends included).
And while you’re prepping the house, don’t forget about grooming! Easter is the perfect time to give your pet a fresh look before guests arrive or photos are snapped.
From all of us at Ultimate Pet Care, thank you for trusting us with your pets. We’re here to make life a little easier and your pets a lot happier – not just during holidays, but every day.
Ultimate Pet Care ensures the highest standard of service, grooming and care. We have expert, professionally trained groomers that will take care of your dogs, styling to breed standard or client’s personal requests.
