Keep pets safe over the Easter holiday

Easter and dogs and cats – they can go safely together if pet owners take a few precautions, says the Central California Animal Disaster Team.

The team offers these pet safety tips:

▪ Pets can’t resist Easter baskets, but chocolate can be fatal to dogs and cats. Keep the sweets out of pets’ reach. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic to pets. Symptoms in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased pulse and even seizures. In addition, the fat content in candy and chocolate can cause harm to a pet’s pancreas.

▪ Easter lilies can be poisonous or fatal, especially to cats. Prior to giving flowers to anyone who has pets, please check to make sure the plant is nontoxic. A list of toxic and nontoxic plants is available at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website.

▪ Colorful plastic grass, Easter tinsel and Styrofoam eggs are popular for pets to chew on or ingest. These items can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, vomiting and dehydration.

▪ All animals need permanent homes. They are not disposable, should not be regifted and may not be returnable. Rabbits and baby chicks should not be given as Easter gifts as they require specialized care.

▪ Pets love toys but eyes and other items on stuffed animals can lead to choking or blockages if ingested, so keep human-only appropriate stuffed animals in a safe place.

▪ Pets need fresh water. When there is excitement during holiday celebrations, pets may feel the excitement, too, and may be more active than usual. Keep them safe and hydrated.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Keep pets safe over the Easter holiday."