Vases of delicate tulips, brightly-colored eggs and straw baskets are popping up everywhere you turn; Easter is almost here. But during this flower- and sweets-filled holiday, don’t forget about proper pet care for the cats and dogs in your home. The vets at Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic in Honolulu County want your entire family to be able to enjoy Easter, including your furry friends. Here, they have shared four things to be wary of when it comes to your pets this holiday season.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to both cats and dogs. For both animals, the theobromine present in chocolate can cause vomiting, hyperactivity, seizures, low blood pressure and an increased heart rate. In extreme cases, it can lead to cardiac failure and coma. 

Symptoms depend on the amount of chocolate ingested, as well as what variety. For cats (whose bodies can’t handle the same amount that dogs can), milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and baking chocolate are the most poisonous.

Easter Lilies

This beautiful flower is actually quite toxic to cats, ultimately causing kidney failure. Other symptoms include vomiting and lethargy. As felines have a tendency to chew on any plant that comes into the home, consider enjoying this beautiful plant at a cat-free family member’s home instead.

Easter Eggs

A bigger threat for dogs than for cats, plastic Easter eggs hidden around the house can easily be mistaken for toys and accidentally swallowed. The risk also comes with real eggs that might be forgotten after a hunt: spoiled eggs will not only stink up the entire home, but upset your dog’s stomach. Keep count of the amount of eggs that you hide, and make sure to conduct a thorough sweep for any remaining ones when the hunt is over.

Easter Grass

Though not a living plant, Easter grass is also dangerous to animals that enjoy chewing on the plastic material. This material can be dangerous when ingested, so try sticking to tissue paper or just keeping Easter baskets out of sight.

If you have any other safety concerns about your pet, call the pet care experts at Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic. They are Oahu’s premier full-service vet office, providing medical services for most pet breeds. Offering extended late hours several nights a week, they make it easy to ensure your pet’s optimum health. Go online to view their full listing of pet care services, including preventative care like checkups, neutering and spaying, medication and shots. Call (808) 625-6744 to schedule your pet’s appointment.