{"id":5898,"date":"2021-03-31T16:04:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T16:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=5898"},"modified":"2021-03-31T16:04:44","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T16:04:44","slug":"common-easter-pet-dangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/common-easter-pet-dangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Easter Pet Dangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Easter<\/p>\n

Happy Easter!\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Many people celebrate with<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Easter egg hunts, baskets full of fun goodies for the kids,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>beautiful spring<\/span><\/span>\u00a0bouquets, and a Sunday feast.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For pet owners<\/span><\/span>\u00a0though<\/span><\/span>, the holiday<\/span><\/span>\u00a0also poses many hazards<\/span><\/span>. From deadly plants to toxic food<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to dangerous d\u00e9cor, here are the s<\/span><\/span>ix<\/span><\/span>\u00a0most common Easter pet dangers<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Easter<\/p>\n

1. Easter Lilies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

While they are beautiful flowers, Easter\u00a0<\/span>lilies<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are extremely\u00a0<\/span>toxic<\/span>\u00a0to cats \u2013 as\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0several other plants of the genus\u00a0<\/span>Lilium<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>and\u00a0<\/span>Hemerocallis<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Easter, tiger,\u00a0<\/span>stargazer<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>daylilies, and many other types of lilies<\/span>\u00a0can cause kidney failure if a cat\u00a0<\/span>eats<\/span>\u00a0any part of the plant, drinks water in the plant\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>vase<\/span>, or inhales or\u00a0<\/span>ingests<\/span>\u00a0pollen. If you have a cat,\u00a0<\/span>DO NOT<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>bring<\/span>\u00a0lilies into your home<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>View ASPCA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Guide<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to learn\u00a0<\/span>more about\u00a0<\/span>which plants are safe and which ones are dangerous to your pets<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Easter<\/p>\n

2. Chocolate<\/h4>\n

Keep those Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs, and other sweet treats out of your pet\u2019s reach<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Chocolate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>contains<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>methylxanthines<\/span>\u00a0(theobromine and caffeine) that are toxic to dogs and cats. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it is<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0which means baker\u2019s chocolate and dark chocolate are the most dangerous<\/span>. Chocolate toxicity\u00a0<\/span>symptoms will vary depending on the type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and your pet\u2019s weight.<\/span>\u00a0In mild cases, chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea. In more severe cases, chocolate can cause hyperactivity, seizures, and heart failure<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"jelly<\/p>\n

3. Xylitol<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

X<\/span>ylitol<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0a sugarless sweetener that is commonly found\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>many products such as gum, breath mints, human dental hygiene products, hair care products, face gels, baby wipes, sugar-free candies, baked goods, condiments<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>other\u00a0<\/span>foods including\u00a0<\/span>jellybeans<\/span>, puddings,\u00a0<\/span>some brands of peanut butter,\u00a0<\/span>and pie fillings.<\/span>\u00a0Xylitol causes a pet\u2019s blood sugar to\u00a0<\/span>plummet,<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>its\u00a0<\/span>ingestion can result in<\/span>\u00a0liver failure<\/span>. Always check ingredients\u00a0<\/span>to prevent an accidental xylitol poisoning<\/span>. If you place candies in plastic eggs or Easter baskets, be sure to keep them out of your pet\u2019s reach.\u00a0<\/span>If your dog is a true \u201ctreat hound,\u201d inform guests that\u00a0<\/span>purses or bags that\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>sugarless candy or\u00a0<\/span>gum<\/span>\u00a0need to be kept away from pets, too<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"yeast<\/p>\n

4. Yeast Dough<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Making homemade bread or rolls for Easter dinner? When a pet eats\u00a0<\/span>yeast\u00a0<\/span>bread\u00a0<\/span>dough<\/span><\/a>, it can lead to alcoh<\/span>ol toxicity and stomach bloating<\/span>. The alcohol is produced from fermenting yeast as the dough rises in your pet\u2019s warm stomach. Th<\/span>e process<\/span>\u00a0can cause a bloated abdomen, vomiting, unproductive retching, and drunkenness. In severe cases, your pet\u2019s stomach can twist<\/span>\u00a0(called\u00a0<\/span>gastric<\/span><\/i>\u00a0dilatation volvulus<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>GDV<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>which<\/span>\u00a0require<\/span>s emergency surgery<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Easter<\/p>\n

5. Table Scraps<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

During dinner<\/span>, remind kids\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>guests not to feed your pets at the table.<\/span>\u00a0We already covered chocolate and xylitol, but there are several other foods that are hazardous to pets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Ham\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0too much salt\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0can cause sodium poisoning.<\/span>\u00a0Meat bones can fracture teeth,\u00a0<\/span>cause<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>n<\/span>\u00a0intestinal obstruction, and\u00a0<\/span>pose\u00a0<\/span>a choking hazard.\u00a0<\/span>Some side d<\/span>ishes or salads may\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0garlic, onions, leeks, or chives<\/span>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>which are all toxic\u00a0<\/span>and can damage the<\/span>\u00a0red blood cells.\u00a0<\/span>Grapes<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or foods with raisins are also toxic and can cause kidney failure. In addition to toxic<\/span>ity<\/span>, pets\u00a0<\/span>who<\/span>\u00a0eat fatty or sugary foods are at an increased risk of\u00a0<\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Easter<\/p>\n

6. Easter\u00a0<\/span>Baskets & Activities for the Kids<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

If children in your\u00a0<\/span>household receiv<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0Easter baskets or\u00a0<\/span>participat<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>egg hunts, please keep baskets, plastic eggs, and\u00a0<\/span>plastic\u00a0<\/span>toys out of your pet\u2019s reach. If you hide eggs around the house or yard<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>keep track of<\/span>\u00a0how many you hid<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>ensure\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>they<\/span>‘<\/span>re<\/span>\u00a0all retrieved\u00a0<\/span>before you\u00a0<\/span>release<\/span>\u00a0your pet<\/span>\u00a0into the same area<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Here<\/span>‘s why<\/span>\u00a0these fun Easter gifts<\/span>\u00a0can be a concern<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n
    Plastic\u00a0<\/span>G<\/span>rass,\u00a0<\/span>R<\/span>ibbons, and\u00a0<\/span>Strings<\/span><\/h5>\n
      \n
    • If\u00a0<\/span>swallowed,<\/span>\u00a0the long material can get stuck in the pet\u2019s throat or digestive tract. This\u00a0<\/span>may<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>require<\/span>\u00a0emergency surgery to remove.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Children may innocently tie a piece of plastic grass or ribbon around a pet<\/span>\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0ear\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>tail,\u00a0<\/span>constrict<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0blood flow and lead<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0to swelling, pain, and in some cases, severe tissue trauma.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • \n
      Plastic Eggs\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
        \n
      • A pet can accidentally inhale the plastic egg which can cause an obstruction of the upper airway<\/span>\u00a0which results in<\/span> suffocation.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Pets<\/span>\u00a0may swallow the eggs (or broken off pieces) which can cause a\u00a0<\/span>blockage<\/span>\u00a0of the intestine<\/span>\u00a0and require emergency surgery<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • \n
          Candy<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n
            \n
          • As mentioned earlier, chocolate is toxic to pets<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span> candies made with xylitol are toxic.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
          • The high amount of sugar in candy may cause pancreatitis. <\/span><\/li>\n
          • When<\/span>\u00a0pets eat candy, they tend to\u00a0<\/span>forget to<\/span>\u00a0remove the wrappers<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0A\u00a0<\/span>wrapper<\/span>\u00a0can cause a severe bowel obstruction and require emergency surgery.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \"cat,<\/p>\n

            To prevent an Easter pet emergency, please\u00a0<\/span><\/span>monitor<\/span><\/span>\u00a0your pets closely this holiday weekend. Keep them away from the potential toxins and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>hazards, and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0be mindful of where plastic eggs and Easter baskets are placed.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>If your pet does get into one of these Easter dangers or experiences any other type of emergency, contact your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital. Both our Oakdale and St. Paul facilities are open 24\/7, every day of the year.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            \"\"<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n