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Our goal has always been to encourage people to think ahead and be aware of situations where a pet may escape. We urge you to take a few minutes to read over this information and pass it along to a friend as well! In addition to keeping your pets secure during travel and avoiding toxic items, please keep in mind that seasonal creatures such as Easter bunnies or chicks are terrible impulse purchases. Far from being cute and cuddly toys, they are living, breathing animals which require constant care and are a long term commitment.
First, be aware that toxic items which appear in the springtime can be as innocent as mushrooms. Some of them are indeed highly poisonous to pets!
Remember, should your pet ingest one of these or even a piece, collect a sample to take with you to the ER vet so they can see what type it was.
Ferns and Palms, indoor and outdoor varieties, can also be dangerous. Sometimes it depends on which portion may be consumed, but for a household with pets you just may be better off avoiding such plants entirely. Here's a useful article on the ASPCA website.
Second, let's address issues regarding prevention of missing pets. As with any holiday event, if you are hosting a large family gathering please be aware that can easily lead to a perfect chance for pets to bolt out of the house. Designate a space for the animals to remain safely away from the hubbub and continually opening front door, decide who is to be in charge of walking them and set ground rules not bringing the pets out to visit with everyone. While some animals are well-socialized, a lot of people can be upsetting and your dog or cat might not be on their normal behavior. It's best to leave them out of the busy areas and in a quiet, peaceful spot instead.
Remember to include the whole family in planning as this opens the door to the children about communication, responsibility and thinking ahead for the well-being of the four-footed family members. Should your pet accidentally get loose and go missing, read over this important information right away: "13 Steps for Lost Pet Recovery".
If a big trip is on your spring break list which includes Fido and Fluffy, have a quick planning session to double check for collars with I.D. tags, harnesses for active animals, carriers, etc. Establish a secure place for them to rest during your travels and ensure that vehicle doors are closed before opening carriers, even just to take a quick look at the pet. A dog or cat escaping at a highway rest stop is a nightmare of epic proportions and something we absolutely encourage you to guard against.
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Third, it's important to remember that potentially toxic foods, plants and decorations abound during the Easter holidays. Know what is dangerous and set family rules ahead of time for where the candies and treats should be stored, safely out of reach of a hungry dog for example.
• Sweets: Chocolate and many goodies flavored with Xylitol are toxic and can be deadly.
• Easter grass, seasonal tinsel, ribbons and bows pose a choking hazard, and if ingested can lead to critical and life-threatening situations.
• Lilies are toxic to cats. Give them away to a non-cat household instead.
Keep these numbers handy and if you think your pet has ingested something toxic they are open 24 hours a day for calls. There are fees which apply, but if you have a real concern and are not near an emergency clinic, getting advice can be priceless in a crisis situation.
Lastly, on the topic of seasonal animals such as chicks and rabbits, we encourage you to think carefully about any purchases. Buying animals on impulse is a poor choice for anyone, but especially for adults and parents who then set an example for their children. Theses creatures will need daily care, housing considerations and food requirements, as they are a permanent commitment. In the case of bunnies that can be up to 10 years.
While little of this is thought out in advance, what it means is that most baby rabbits and chicks will die in the weeks and months following Easter, due to lack of understanding by the people who buy them. Parents - please remember that you are the adult here and you have a wonderful opportunity to teach your children valuable lessons about compassion as well as the responsibilities which go into having a new family member.
We hope these tips help you to plan ahead for an enjoyable holiday and springtime. A little bit of planning and thinking ahead can really go a long way! Be safe and enjoy your pets, vacation and warmer weather.
Lost Pet PR | Established in 2011 for the Delmarva Peninsula area, we now
focus primarily on southern Sussex County, DE and Worcester County, MD.
