Easter (or Pascha or Resurrection Sunday in some cultures) is a popular and large Christian holiday that marks the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion. It lasts for four days from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, and also marks the end of the 40-day fasting period of Lent. Easter is traditionally a time for families to come together too, and in recent years, the Easter bunny, Easter parades, and Easter egg hunts have also become associated with the Springtime Holiday.
And while it’s a wonderful time for all of us humans, whether we choose to recognize the traditional or religious parts of the holiday or not, we need to be mindful of what dangers are around when it comes to caring for our canine companions.
It might be a cute idea to consider a dog Easter outfit for your pup, or your pooch may want to sniff at your particularly tasty-looking Easter egg, but what’s safe and what traditions do you need to be wary of on behalf of your furry friend this Easter…?
Springtime Plants & Bulbs
Easter is a popular time to gift plants and bulbs to loved ones, and these can be particularly intriguing for our curious doggos! We also may choose to decorate our Easter table with foliage, berries, and floral arrangements.
Unfortunately, there are many popular, Springtime flowers that can upset your dog’s stomach and even be poisonous. This Easter holiday, the team here at PetLab Co. would recommend making a note of the following plants to be wary of and to keep them out of reach from your dog to avoid toxicity or poisoning:
- Azaleas
- Bluebells
- Buttercups
- Cyclamens (and their root)
- Daffodils/Narcissus (Bulb, flower, and the water they sit in)
- Foxgloves (seeds and leaves)
- Hyacinths (bulb)
- Ivy (entirety)
- Lupin (leaves and seeds)
- Rhododendrons
- Rhubarb (leaves)
- Sweetpeas (stem)
- Tulips
- Wild Cherry Trees (trigs and foliage)
- Yews (berries and foliage)
Popular Springtime fruits and vegetables can also pose an issue for dogs. The kernels of apricots, the pips of apples, the entirety of garlic and onions, elderberries, and the stones and leaves of peaches can all be toxic to dogs in certain quantities and are worth avoiding at all costs this Easter Time.
Dog Easter Outfit
Doggy costumes have become extremely popular over the years, with many being made for every occasion – but are some of us forcing our dogs to do something they’re not comfortable with? Not only can these bother them, but sometimes us humans dressing up can cause them a lot of stress too – which could turn into aggression from your dog as a defense!
Although seeing your favorite furry friend dressed up as a bunny or an Easter egg is adorable, they might not feel the same fondness towards the situation and this could actually cause them a lot of stress. If you’re planning to pop your pup into a dog Easter outfit or have them wear Easter dog collars or Easter dog bandanas, but want to make sure it won’t leave them feeling eggy, keep an eye out for these 5 signs that they might be unhappy or scared…
- Whimpering
- Panting
- Frozen body
- Rubbing
- Tail tucked between their legs
If you have a nervous or overprotective dog, you may notice that they start to behave differently when they’re around humans dressed up. Our pups don’t know when people are wearing costumes, they just see it as a strange threat – which may make them feel nervous and anxious or aggressive.
Knowing how your dog will react to these situations is key and can help you keep them separate from these negative stimulants or manage their stress levels. You could consider giving them a natural, dog-specific calming aid if they really stress themselves out over people’s costumes…
Easter Eggs
Easter is a time when Easter eggs and other yummy treats are in abundance – which can all become extremely tempting for your pup, so keeping an eye on what they eat is imperative.
All types of chocolate – particularly dark – can be lethal if your dog was to consume it. Chocolate poisoning has some obvious symptoms, so if you notice your dog vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, seizures, fast breathing, or an increased heart rate, seek veterinary assistance as soon as you’re able.
Other candy produced at Easter can contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol; this is also poisonous for doggos. Even a very small amount of the sweetener can cause lots of health issues for your dog including seizures and a sudden lack of coordination. The best thing you can do is make sure that these food are not available to your fur baby this Easter time and know the symptoms if something was to make its way into their mouths…
Easter Buns
These are more commonly seen in Commonwealth countries like the UK, but in recent years the Easter bun (or Hot Cross bun) has made its way over to the US. Easter buns traditionally contain dried fruit like sultanas, currants, and raisins and these are extremely toxic to dogs in even the smallest amounts. Severe renal (kidney) failure can be seen in dogs who eat any form of grapes, including these dried berry-like versions and this can prove fatal in dogs.
It’s simply not worth sharing these buns with your pup over Easter. So, ignore their big, begging, puppy-dog eyes and keep them on their own, safe-to-consume, doggy-specific treats.
Dog Treats For Easter
Why not check out our blog that details 6 recipes you can try to make your own homemade dog treats for Easter time, so your pup doesn’t feel left out? If your dog suffers from allergies, check out these 6 allergen-free dog treat recipes instead!
You can refer to our list of known toxic food to dogs this Easter to be sure you know what your dog can and can’t eat off or around your plate:
If you see your dog eat anything you know they shouldn’t have, don’t sit around and wait for signs of toxicity. Get them to a vet pronto! The quicker you act, the more likely and possible recovery from poisoning will be.
Sources
“Easter Dangers For Dogs” Blue Cross, Mar 15. 2021 https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/easter-dangers-for-dogs
