By KLTV Newsdesk –

Toxic treats, tricky blooms, and unexpected dangers – how to ensure your pets enjoy Easter too.

As families across the UK prepare for a joyful Easter filled with chocolate eggs, spring flowers and long garden days, the RSPCA is reminding pet owners to be mindful of their furry companions’ well-being during the celebrations.

While the season may bring joy for humans, it can pose hidden dangers for pets, from chocolate toxicity in dogs to the peril of popular blooms for cats.

Here’s how to keep your four-legged friends safe and healthy this Easter.

Keep Chocolate and Hot Cross Buns Away from Dogs

It wouldn’t be Easter without indulging in chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, but these beloved treats can be deadly to dogs.

Both chocolate and raisins (commonly found in buns) are toxic to canines and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and even death, even in small quantities.

RSPCA Head Vet, Rebecca Ashman, warned: “If you want to share treats with your dog this Easter, it’s important to stick to specially made dog treats, or you could even make your own in fun Easter shapes with dog-friendly ingredients.

“This will avoid a very worrying – and potentially costly – trip to the vets.”

She added: “Keep chocolate and hot cross buns out of sight and reach, and prevent children from feeding them to pets, however well-meaning they might be.

“Dogs can be very good at begging for tasty food… but if you give in, you risk poisoning them and making them seriously ill – so don’t fall for those puppy dog eyes.”

If your dog does manage to snaffle something dangerous, contact a vet immediately – even out-of-hours.

Have the packaging, quantity consumed, and your pet’s weight ready to assist with treatment.

Don’t Buy Rabbits on a Whim

With the Easter Bunny in the spotlight, rabbits often become the animal of the season, but the RSPCA urges families not to rush into buying one.

Rabbits are often seen as low-maintenance pets, but in reality, they are one of the UK’s most neglected animals, with 2,644 unwanted rabbits taken in by the RSPCA between 2022 and 2024.

Dominika Jagoda, RSPCA animal welfare expert, said: “They need so much more than just a hutch at the end of the garden and are very complex animals with needs for company, stimulation and exercise. They also have long life spans of around eight to 12 years, so they are a big commitment for any family.”

She advises: “We would urge anyone considering taking on rabbits this Easter – ideally a neutered male and neutered female pair – to research their needs thoroughly and adopt from an animal or rescue centre like those run by the RSPCA and other reputable organisations and not shop for them.”

Watch Out for Toxic Blooms Around Cats

With spring in bloom, flowers such as lilies, daffodils and tulips are often brought into the home – but these seasonal favourites can be deadly to cats.

Dominika explained: “Lilies can be a particular problem because they are so popular at this time of year, but people are not always aware of just how dangerous they are to cats.

“Cats can actually die from ingesting even small amounts of petals from lilies… Even cutting the stamens out once they have opened is not enough.”

Other flowers such as peonies, hyacinths and daffodils can also be toxic. Even non-toxic plants may upset a pet’s stomach, so it’s safest to keep all blooms out of reach. Roses, sunflowers and freesias are safer alternatives for pet-friendly bouquets.

If you suspect your cat has ingested any toxic plant, contact your vet immediately.

Make Your Garden a Wildlife Haven

For animal lovers spending time outdoors over the bank holiday, the RSPCA also encourages the creation of wildlife-friendly gardens. Here are some simple ways to support local wildlife this Easter:

• Leave wild areas for insects and pollinators.

• Avoid netting that could trap animals, and tidy away sports nets when not in use.

• Cover drains and store watering cans upside-down to prevent accidents.

• Check long grass and bonfires for hidden creatures before mowing or lighting.

• Add log piles and compost heaps for hedgehogs and insects.

• Create escape routes in ponds and add wildlife shelters such as bat boxes and bee hotels.

• Provide clean water and food for birds and hedgehogs – but avoid milk and bread.

• Use pet-safe, wildlife-friendly garden products.

There are full details on how to support garden wildlife on the RSPCA website.

By taking these simple steps, you can make Easter a joyful and safe time for everyone in your household, furry or otherwise.

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