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With the Easter long weekend coming up, it is a good excuse to throw a lavish party or a family gathering.
As we begin the stressful process of planning and locking in RSVPs, PETstock wants to remind hosts who are also pet owners to spend some time prepping for their pets’ experience during the festivities.
To help with your planning, PETstock has compiled its top tips to help keep your pets sweet this Easter weekend.
1. Keep the hot cross buns, chocolates and lollies away
While you might be serving hot cross buns, chips, dips, other baked goods and chocolate to your guests, these snacks can upset any pet’s stomach, or could even be toxic.
According to insurance claims data [2], chocolate toxicity claims tend to increase around Easter compared to the rest of the year.
While you might be serving hot cross buns, chips, dips, other baked goods and chocolate to your guests, these snacks can upset any pet’s stomach, or could even be toxic.
According to insurance claims data [2], chocolate toxicity claims tend to increase around Easter compared to the rest of the year.
Signs can develop between 2 and 12 hours after the chocolate is eaten. If you know your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have or are showing signs that they are unwell, you should seek urgent veterinary attention.
2. Understand and respect your pets’ boundaries
With over 40% of dogs suffering from differing levels of anxiety at any given time [1], it is important to ensure our animals are not further stressed by their environment.
With over 40% of dogs suffering from differing levels of anxiety at any given time [1], it is important to ensure our animals are not further stressed by their environment.
According to PETstock Vet Dr Tara Morris, anxiety and anxious behaviour are not limited to dogs in this situation.
“Anxiety wears itself differently on other animals including cats when we compare them to dogs. Sometimes owners may not even realise that their pet could have anxiety because they are not showing clear symptoms.” says Dr Tara.
If you are planning to host a get-together this Easter, consider what your pet will be up for in terms of socialisation. When deciding how to make your pet's party experience less stressful, there are many factors to take into account, including music, movement around the house, odours, and even daily routines.
“Anxiety wears itself differently on other animals including cats when we compare them to dogs. Sometimes owners may not even realise that their pet could have anxiety because they are not showing clear symptoms.” says Dr Tara.
If you are planning to host a get-together this Easter, consider what your pet will be up for in terms of socialisation. When deciding how to make your pet's party experience less stressful, there are many factors to take into account, including music, movement around the house, odours, and even daily routines.
3. Prepare a safe room
If you have decided to keep your animal friend away from the celebrations, consider preparing a dedicated safe space or even room for them.
This room will be a haven, away from loud noises with easy access to a bed, food, water, and toys to manage boredom.
Plus, if your pet can’t go to the toilet in this space, make sure to take them out frequently.
PETstock Ambassador and Dog Behaviourist, Lara Shannon suggests slowly building up your pets’ relationship to the potential safe space if your pet has not stayed there before.
PETstock Ambassador and Dog Behaviourist, Lara Shannon suggests slowly building up your pets’ relationship to the potential safe space if your pet has not stayed there before.
“You want to ensure that this safe space is always accessible to your pet and make it a permanent fixture in your home. It should not be a one-off space but a space where your pet can seek this space when they start to feel afraid or uncomfortable. If it becomes a space that you only use during events, your pets may correlate the space with events that scare them and may refuse to enter the unfamiliar space,” Lara explains.
4. Take it easy with the decorations
If you are holding an Easter dinner at your place, you might be looking into decorations and even party favours to complete the Easter theme. While putting together your Pinterest for the special event, there might be some Easter-themed decorations that could do more harm than good.
While Easter lilies are beautiful centrepieces on the dining table, these plants are poisonous for both canines and felines.
4. Take it easy with the decorations
If you are holding an Easter dinner at your place, you might be looking into decorations and even party favours to complete the Easter theme. While putting together your Pinterest for the special event, there might be some Easter-themed decorations that could do more harm than good.
While Easter lilies are beautiful centrepieces on the dining table, these plants are poisonous for both canines and felines.
If your pet does consume lilies, they could meet with symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and in some cats, kidney failure if left untreated. Even if your cat does not consume lilies, they could still groom lily pollen from their fur or paws which would still lead to the symptoms mentioned above.
5. Extra Easter Love
While it is still the long weekend, you could set some time aside to spend some quality time with your pet.
Take your pet on a walk or if they prefer to stay at home, prepare a pet-friendly Easter ‘egg’ hunt with tasty treats.
You can even build a pet-friendly party favour and include some well-themed toys for the occasion.
References:
1. Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2016). Prevalence, comorbidity, and behavioral variation in canine anxiety.
2. Medibank Pet Insurance (2021): Easter chocolate isn’t a dog’s best friend.
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