Before you plan your holiday gathering, take a moment to familiarize yourself with common seasonal toxins and how to effectively protect your pet.

Easter Basket Pet Dangers

Easter is a wonderful holiday to celebrate with loved ones, including your family pet. What could be more Easter-ish than a colorful basket full of goodies? From adorable plush rabbits to marshmallow Peeps, the possibilities are endless.

Unfortunately, many of these items can make a pet seriously ill. To avoid this risk, keep the following items somewhere safe and out of reach (i.e., not under your child’s bed):


  • Chocolate
  • Candies
  • Easter grass (may create a life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction)
  • Small toys and other gifts that can be swallowed

    • Other seasonal items your pet should avoid include:

  • Easter lilies (highly toxic to felines), daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinth
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Mixed nuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios
  • Meat scraps with bones or skin, onions, and garlic
  • Any sugar-free foods containing Xylitol (a common sugar substitute)

    • How to Recognize a Pet Poisoning Emergency

    In a potential pet poisoning emergency, we don’t always know what or how much our pet ingested. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the signs commonly associated with poisoning. In most cases, the following symptoms may be present:

  • Sustained vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Appearing “drunk” (unsteady gait, imbalance)
  • Changes in behavior (confusion, restlessness)
  • Lethargy
  • Drooling
  • Panting
  • Tremors or seizures
  • Racing heart
  • Difficulty breathing

    • Effective treatment depends on catching the toxin early on, so you should consider poisoning a veterinary emergency. Please contact us immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic.

    Prevent a Pet Poisoning Scare

    Easter is such a family-oriented holiday; it’s only natural to want to include Fido or Fluffy in your celebration. Just remember, the keys to preventing a pet poisoning emergency are awareness and supervision.

  • Consider having a pre-Easter bash with your family pet before guests arrive and you become immersed in family activities.
  • Take a few family portraits with your pet sporting some cute bunny ears or other accessories.
  • Make a pet Easter basket using a few homemade treats, a new toy, and maybe some oat grass (cat grass). Just remember to avoid faux grass!

    • Once you’ve shared a few special moments with your pet, find a place where he or she can chill away from the hustle and bustle of everyone else. You may also want to board your pet if you have a full house for the holiday. Consider it a doggy or kitty Easter vacay, complete with plenty of attention and exercise.

    From all of us at Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital, we wish you and your pet a Happy Easter!