As Angelenos prepare to celebrate the Easter holiday this weekend, the decorations, Easter baskets full of candy, chocolate, and toys, may be harmful to our furry family members.
To help keep you and your four-legged friends safe, LA Animal Services is offering the following tips:
- The Easter basket. Our pets often see these festive décor as something to eat or play with. Colorful eggs, plastic grass, chocolate, and candy can be toxic to pets if they are accidentally eaten. To keep pets safe, place baskets filled with goodies out of reach. If you plan on doing an egg hunt with children, keep pets indoors and away from plastic eggs.
- Beware of festive flowers and plants. Easter lilies are one of the most dangerous plants you can have around your pet, especially cats. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see your cat licking the flower.
- Keep alcohol and people’s food away from pets. We have a tendency to share our meals with our pets, which often results in overindulgence. Even when we don’t purposely include them, our dog or cat can sneak a bite of food from the kitchen counter, trash, or the dining room table. Dogs and cats can suffer very serious and sometimes fatal consequences from consuming too much rich and fatty foods, yeast dough, chocolate, grapes, raisins, and from just plain overeating. Instead of giving your companion animal leftovers, stop by a pet store and purchase a special treat, made especially for them.
- Don’t buy animals as impulsive gifts for giving. Although bunnies and baby chicks are cute, they should not be given as Easter gifts. Bunnies and chicks are pets who require special feedings and care, and their needs should be fully researched before bringing one home. Before adopting a rabbit, please view our rabbit care resource guide at laanimalservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BYA-Handout-DOWNLOAD-LAAS-English-Rev-11-23-20.pdf.
