A Vet’s Advice on Keeping Our Pet’s Healthy and Happy this Easter
Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and Easter is just around the corner!
And while the holidays are loaded with fun and goodies for us humans to enjoy, some of our four-legged counterparts may find themselves a bit more vulnerable during the festivities.
My Dog Spot sat down with our friend and veterinarian Dr. Evelyn of Petsadena Animal Hospital this week, and she gave us tons of great advice on how we can keep our fur babies happy and healthy this Easter.
So, what did we talk about first?
Well, the Easter Lily of course! But is the Easter Lily really toxic to our pets, and if so, what should we do if we think a pet of ours has consumed one?
Let’s find out!
Is the Easter Lily Toxic to Pets?
The Easter Lily is a popular flower that is often given as a gift or put out as decoration on Easter.
But as lovely as it is, it can be quite poisonous to our pets. For dogs, consuming bits of Easter Lily can leave him with stomach upset and digestive issues.
For cats, however, consuming parts of the Easter Lily can be deadly.
For this reason, Dr. Evelyn suggests that cat owners avoid purchasing an Easter Lily at all. But what do you do if you have pets and a well-meaning friend or relative brings an Easter Lily along as a gift?
Make sure you keep the plant in a safe location that is out of reach of your pets. If you have a particularly stealthy cat or dog who likes to get into things, Dr. Evelyn suggests maybe just tossing the Lily or giving it away.
But is the Easter Lily the only flower that pet owners should worry about when it comes to poisonous Easter plants?
Unfortunately, no.
Another popular Easter flower that can prove toxic to pets is the Tulip.
However, and as Dr. Evelyn points out, Tulips are mostly toxic to dogs and are primarily dangerous when dogs dig the flowers up from gardens and eat their bulbs.
Lilies, on the other hand, are toxic to both dogs and cats, especially the lilies that belong to the Lilium or Hemerocallis species.
Lilies of this species list include
- Easter Lilies
- Tiger Lilies
- Japanese Show Lilies
- Day Lilies
- Asiatic Hybrid Lilies
- Rubrum Lilies
- Red Lilies
- Rubrum Lilies
- Red Lilies
- Western Lilies
- And Wood Lilies
So, what do you do if you think your dog or cat may have consumed a toxic plant this Easter? Keep reading.
What Should I Do if I Think My Pet Ate an Easter Lily?
We can’t keep an eye on our pets all day every day, and unfortunately, dogs and cats can be innately curious little creatures.
As Dr. Evelyn notes, if you notice that part of your Easter Lily plant is missing, or the Tulip garden looks a bit “dug up”, then it may be time to consult your veterinarian.
If you are not sure whether or not your dog or cat has eaten something toxic but are seeing symptoms that make you wonder if something is off with them, Dr. Evelyn still recommends you follow up with your pet’s doctor immediately.
When it comes to pets consuming something poisonous, more often than not time plays a key factor in their recovery.
So, what symptoms should pet owners watch out for? Remember, lily poisoning symptoms in dogs and cats present themselves differently.
Let’s see what Dr. Evelyn says.
Lily Poisoning Symptoms for Cats
Consumption of all parts of an Easter Lily (or any of the lilies mentioned above) can lead to kidney failure in cats and can be deadly if not treated immediately.
Lily poisoning symptoms for cats include
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling
- Hiding
- Excessive thirst or decreased thirst
- Excessive urination or decreased urination
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Disorientation
- Inability to walk
- Seizures
- Kidney Failure
If you think your cat has consumed any part of an Easter Lily, even if it is just a petal, Dr. Evelyn suggests bringing your cat into the veterinarian’s office straight away.
Lily Poisoning Symptoms for Dogs
Although lily poisoning is considered much more dangerous for cats, dogs can still suffer serious consequences from consuming the toxic plant as well.
Dr. Evelyn notes that symptoms to look out for in dogs include
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
For further assistance, Dr. Evelyn says that concerned pet owners can also call animal poison control at 1 (888) 426-4435.
What Other Easter Goodies Are Toxic to Pets?
Some Easter treats are obviously going to be bad for our pets. Still, there are also some Easter favorite foods that are bad for our pets that may surprise you.
Dr. Evelyn suggests keeping your pets away from Easter favorite foods like
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Artificial Sweeteners that contain Xylitol
- Alcohol
- Rich, fatty, spicy or greasy foods
Of course, toxic plants and unhealthy human foods are not the only things we may need to protect our pets from this Easter.
Traditional Easter grass used to fill Easter baskets can pose quite a threat to curious pets, especially cats who like to dig and play in the soft, stringy paper.
If you are a pet owner, you can still have your traditional, colorful basket fun. Just substitute the Easter grass for tissue paper!
Dr. Evelyn warns that pet owners should also be aware of plastic eggs and children’s toys that may not be suitable for pets to play with or chew on.
And remember, the change of pace, scenery, and plethora of new faces can be stressful on our pets as well.
Read our article on reducing Halloween anxiety to learn how you can help your pet cope with the chaos of holidays.
How Can I Include My Pets in the Easter Fun While Keeping Them Safe and Healthy?
For most of us pet parents, our fur babies are like our children. We want to include them in all the holiday fun and festivities!
But as Dr. Evelyn points out, sharing full-blown Easter meals with our pets can cause serious digestive problems and allowing them to run rampant during the Easter Egg hunt could lead to intestinal blockages due to chewed plastic eggs and swallowed toys and treats.
Still, that doesn’t mean you and your furry friend can’t enjoy Easter together.
There are plenty of ways you can keep your pet happy and healthy while also helping them enjoy the Easter festivities alongside you.
Offer your fur-friend pet-safe treats or some tasty meal toppers to add some pizzazz to his or her routine dinner!
You can even fill Easter eggs with dog or cat treats and throw your pet their very own Easter egg hunt! Of course, remember to keep track of the plastic eggs so you can help your pet get into them safely.
For more on how you can keep your pet safe all year long, and to learn more about Dr. Evelyn and Petsadena Animal Hospital, visit www.Petsadena.com!
Recent Comments