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The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center says four things top the list of Easter dangers for dogs and should be kept out of their reach.
Chocolate. Easter, just like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Halloween, triggers phone calls regarding exposure to chocolate. While in truth, a very small amount won’t cause harm, you shouldn’t leave holiday chocolates within easy reach of your pet. Chocolate can cause a dog gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, tremors, and even seizures.
Plastic grass. Dogs cannot properly digest and then absorb plastic. That means if swallowed, it remains lodged in the gastrointestinal tract where it can bring on vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and stomach pain. This is probably more of a problem for curious puppies rather than seasoned pets, but it’s safest to keep the Easter basket away from a dog of any age.
Plants. A number of types of lilies that you may bring into the house at Easter time as well as bulbs you plant in the yard can be toxic to dogs. Don’t make it easy for your curious dog to make his way to spring flowers.
Fertilizers and herbicides. Many people begin gardening and yard work on Easter weekend. The ASPCA says to store fertilizers and herbicides where dogs can’t get to them and chew or puncture the bottle, and to keep pets inside while applying the products. It adds that you should not let your dog out again until the product has been watered in and the area is dry.
