Easter Safety Tips for Pets: How to Keep Your Cats and Dogs Safe This Holiday

Easter is a time for joy, family gatherings, and plenty of sweet treats—but while you’re busy planning egg hunts and holiday feasts, it’s important not to forget your furry family members. With so many hidden hazards for pets during the Easter break, now’s the time to make sure your home is holiday-ready for both your two-legged and four-legged loved ones.

At Pet Insurance Australia, we’re passionate about protecting pets—and that means sharing the facts around common Easter dangers, symptoms to watch out for, and how to involve your pets in the fun safely.

“Easter is a wonderful celebration, but it’s also a time when emergency vet visits spike,” says Nadia Crighton, Pet Insurance Australia Spokesperson. “Knowing the risks and preparing ahead can help pet owners avoid a potentially traumatic and expensive trip to the vet.”

The Top Easter Hazards for Pets

While chocolate is often front-of-mind when thinking about pet safety during Easter, it’s not the only thing to be cautious of. According to the PetSure Pet Health Monitor 2024, Easter-related claims, particularly those involving chocolate toxicity, rise significantly in April.

Here are the most common Easter-related dangers for cats and dogs:

🍫 Chocolate

Dogs are especially vulnerable to chocolate poisoning, which can be fatal in large doses. Even small amounts can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, and seizures. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are particularly dangerous due to their high theobromine content.

🍇 Hot Cross Buns

Delicious to us, but they can be deadly for dogs—many hot cross buns contain raisins, which can cause kidney failure even in small amounts. Always keep baked goods out of paws’ reach.

🌷 Easter Lilies

These gorgeous flowers are highly toxic to cats. Even licking pollen or grooming it from their fur can lead to acute kidney failure. If you have cats, it’s best to avoid lilies altogether.

🎁 Easter Grass and Foil Wrappers

Plastic Easter grass, cellophane, and chocolate foil can look like a fun toy to a pet but can easily cause internal blockages or choking if swallowed.

🍖 Cooked Bones

Sharing a festive roast with your pet might feel like a kind gesture, but cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, internal injuries, or intestinal obstruction.

Signs Your Pet Might Have Eaten Something Dangerous

It’s important to act quickly if you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful. Keep an eye out for these symptoms and contact your vet immediately if they appear:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Lethargy or weakness
• Tremors or seizures
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Changes in behaviour or breathing difficulties

“Prompt action can save your pet’s life,” says Crighton. “Even if symptoms seem mild, it’s best to get veterinary advice right away.”

How to Include Pets in the Easter Fun—Safely!

Easter doesn’t have to be all “don’ts.” With a little creativity, your pets can still take part in the celebrations without the risk.

Here are some fun, pet-friendly Easter activities that cats and dogs will love:

🐾 Host a Pet-Safe Easter Egg Hunt

Hide some of your dog’s favourite treats or toys in your garden or home for a mini egg hunt. Use puzzle toys or stuff treats into snuffle mats to stimulate their brains and keep them entertained. For cats, consider hiding small toys or treats in safe, low-traffic areas they like to explore.

🍦 Make Frozen Easter Treats

Using silicone moulds, make frozen pet-friendly “Easter eggs” from ingredients like natural yoghurt, xylitol-free peanut butter, banana, or pumpkin. These are a refreshing and safe alternative to human chocolate.

📸 Set Up a DIY Easter Photo Booth

Create a mini photo zone with Easter-themed props like bunny ears (only if your pet is comfortable!), pastel blankets, and baskets. Get the whole family involved for a cute Easter memory you can treasure—and share on social using #PIAFurryFamilyMember.

🧸 Create DIY Easter Toys

For cats, try a cardboard egg carton filled with crinkly paper and a sprinkle of catnip. For dogs, you can wrap up their favourite toy in layers of newspaper and let them unwrap it like a present.

“It’s all about being proactive and creative,” Crighton says. “These small adjustments allow pets to feel included, without any risk.”

Celebrate Easter with Care

Easter is all about joy and togetherness. By taking a few extra steps to pet-proof your home, understand the risks, and get creative with how your pets join in, you’ll be setting the stage for a safe, happy, and inclusive celebration.

Because after all—they’re not just pets. They’re family.

Explore Pet Insurance Options Today
Planning ahead is part of loving your pet. Discover how Pet Insurance Australia can help towards unexpected costs and provide financial assistance during Easter and beyond.

Nadia Crighton

Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.

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