Caution: Easter May Be Harmful to Pets

A basket filled with chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks on a bed of colorful grass seems innocent enough.  But typical Easter baskets are filled with things that can harm your pets.

• Chocolate.  Dangerous and possibly fatal to dogs and cats, depending on the type of chocolate and the amount consumed. 

• Easter grass.  Cats, especially, like to play with and eat strands of plastic grass.  Easter grass can cause an intestinal blockage and may need to be removed surgically.  Use paper or edible Easter grass if you have pets. 

• Candy.  May cause gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and/or diarrhea) or even pancreatitis in pets that eat too much.

• Sugar-free gum or candy.  Make sure your Easter basket is xylitol-free.  Xylitol is found in some sugar-free foods and is not harmful to humans.  It can, however, be fatal to pets.

• Toys.  Anything that can be chewed apart and swallowed may harm your pet.

Tails From Ireland

Today we celebrate everything Irish, including the many types of dogs imported from the Emerald Isle:  Terriers, spaniels, retrievers--even a giant breed, the Irish Wolfhound.  No, they're not green, but some of them are redheads!

For more information on Irish dogs, visit the AKC St. Patrick's Day page.