Easter Safety Tips for Cats

Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate in the spring weather with candy and flowers, but it can potentially be hazardous for pets. Here are some Easter safety tips to keep your cat happy and healthy during the holiday festivities:

Avoid Lilies: Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause severe kidney damage or even death if ingested or touched. Please keep lilies out of your home and opt for cat-safe alternatives such as roses, Gerber daisies, or sunflowers.

Beware of Easter Grass: The shiny plastic grass used in Easter baskets can be very tempting for cats to play with, but if ingested, it can cause intestinal blockages that require emergency surgery. Choose paper or edible grass instead, or keep Easter baskets out of your cat's reach.

Keep Chocolate Away: Chocolate is toxic to cats so keep any chocolate bunnies or Easter baskets filled with treats away from your cat. 

Don’t Feed Table Scraps: As tempting as it may be, don’t give your cat any table scraps of ham or other fatty cuts of meat. Cats can develop digestive issues or even pancreatitis if they consume excessively fatty foods. Additionally, the twine that is typically used to hold these cuts of meat together can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed. It’s best to feed your cat their usual meals with perhaps an extra cat treat or two to celebrate the day.

Be Careful with Decorations: Keep decorations like Easter eggs, tinsel, or ribbons out of your cat's reach as they can become choking hazards or cause intestinal blockages if swallowed. Cats love all things shiny and string-like but it’s so important that they are not ingesting them. You can let your cat in on the Easter fun by giving them their own basket with some new toys, catnip, or treats. Or try putting a few cat treats inside plastic Easter eggs and letting your cat chase, pounce, and eventually open their gifts. 

Provide a Safe Space: If you're hosting Easter gatherings or events, provide a quiet room where your cat can retreat if they feel overstimulated. Ensure this area has some food, water, a litter box, and comfortable bedding and a cozy nook where your cat can relax and calm down.

Monitor Guests: Ask guests to be mindful of keeping doors closed and not feeding your cat any unfamiliar foods or treats. 

By following these Easter safety tips, you can help make sure that your pet stays happy and healthy this spring while creating fun and memorable traditions that both you and your cat will enjoy.