As we hop into the Easter season, many pet families are gearing up for a weekend of sweet treats, picnics and Easter egg hunts among other springtime favorites.
However, many of the things we love about Easter can be dangerous for dogs, cats and small mammals. Here are some valuable tips and insights to help keep your pets safe.
Easter egg hunts
Due to their highly sensitive noses, dogs are very skillful at Easter egg hunting—which can pose a danger when chocolate is the hidden surprise. Chocolate bunnies and eggs left under sofas or at snoot height in Easter baskets can lead to a not-so-festive trip to the emergency veterinarian.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, meaning even a small amount can lead to gastrointestinal upset. The darker the chocolate, the higher the risk of serious illness. Signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart rhythm, breathing difficulties and seizures. For this reason, it’s important to keep these human treats locked away from pets, and make sure that all hidden Easter eggs are accounted for at the end of the hunt.
Easter bouquets
Spring bouquets are no small part of the Easter celebration. However, many of the most popular springtime blooms can be very dangerous for cats. For one, all parts of a daffodil are poisonous—flowers, stems, sap, bulbs, even the water from the vase holding the cut flowers. Symptoms can range from mild vomiting or diarrhea to more severe symptoms like kidney or liver failure.
Other poisonous plants that can cause issues at this time of year include:
- Lilies (especially in cats, where all parts are poisonous)
- Azaleas
- Tulips
- Amaryllis
If your pet has eaten any part of a plant, seek veterinary advice immediately. If possible, collect details about which part of the plant was eaten, how much of the plant was eaten and the weight of your pet—this information is immensely valuable for informing your pet’s treatment.
Fake plastic grass
Any plastic ingestion is bad for pets, but the plastic grass used to line baskets is small, sneaky and can be suspiciously snack-looking to small mammals. If ingested, this material poses serious health issues, including a dangerous digestive blockage. Play it safe and keep small plastics out of your pet’s reach.
Be ready if the unexpected happens
Pet mishaps don’t always occur during normal business hours—sometimes, surprises happen during the holiday weekend, when veterinary offices are closed. If you need advice on a pet health question, Nationwide VetHelpline® is available 24/7 to connect you with licensed veterinary professionals. Best of all, it’s available at no additional cost to Nationwide pet insurance members.
Add-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new pet