Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Easter with Pets

stacydubuc [Flickr]

So much of what we enjoy about the Easter celebration can mean trouble for our best friends.  Almost everything in the Easter basket should be kept away from our pets, and much of the food on our table, including anything with grapes, raisins, garlic, onions, avocados.  Uncooked breads containing yeast also should be kept away from an animal that likes to sneak a taste or two.   Enjoy the holiday, but remember to keep your furry buddy safe to help celebrate all year long.

****************  

Most folks I know have wonderful memories of Easter when we were growing up. We would dye hard-boiled eggs in really pretty colors. Later there would be an Easter egg hunt in the back yard. Our Easter baskets would always have lots of sweet treats – jelly beans, sugary marshmallow chicks and candy-coated eggs, and big chocolate bunnies. It never occurred to us that some of the sweets that tasted so good could be harmful to our furry family members.

Chocolate is toxic to our pets (especially dogs), because it contains theobromine. The degree of toxicity depends on the chocolate. Dark chocolate contains more theobromine than milk chocolate, and white chocolate contains the least. It also depends on the size of your pet and how much it eats. If your pet starts having digestive problems and you think it has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian. Even better, keep the chocolate out of reach.

Chocolate is not the only danger to pets at Easter. Some candies (and even gum and baked goods) contain the artificial sweetner, Xylitol, which can be extremely harmful to a pet. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center warns that Xylitol can cause systemic reactions in some animals that may lead to digestive and neurological problems, which could result in seizures, coma, or liver failure. Be very careful to keep products with Xylitol away from your pet.

It’s not just the candy you have to be concerned about. That Easter grass in the basket can cause serious digestive problems for a pet that decides to eat it.

Another threat to your animal’s health is that beautiful Easter Lily. Like all members of the Lily family, they are highly toxic, especially to cats. In fact, you’ll find the Lily on the Pet Poison Helpline list of top-ten poisonous plants for pets.

If you suspect your pet has ingested anything harmful, call your veterinarian immediately. Better yet, keep these harmful temptations away from your furry friend, so you can both have a happy (and healthy) Easter, when you’re speaking of pets.

__>^..^<__

Mindy Norton has been “Speaking of Pets” on Alabama Public Radio since 1995.
News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.