As you get ready to celebrate Easter with family and friends, keep the health and safety of your furry family members in mind. The following common Easter decorations and treats can be toxic.Easter Lilies: Easter lilies are deadly to cats, so make sure you keep them completely out of their reach. Other potentially poisonous flowers may include tulips, Calla lilies, daisies, crysanthemums and baby's breath.
Easter Grass: Easter Grass can be life threatening for cats if ingested. This material can wrap itself around your cat's intestines and cut off circulation, requiring immediate medical attention.
Chocolate: Chocolate is very toxic for pets, especially dogs. Even small amounts of chocolate can be dangerous. The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactiviity, seizure and abnormally elevated heart rate. Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate contain the highest levels of theobromine and are the most toxic.
Sugar Substitutes: Xylitol, a popular sugar substitute used in gums and can cause hypoglycemia with incoordination, collapse and seizures. One or two pieces of gum could cause hypoglycemia in a 22 lb dog.
A complete list of plants that are toxic to pets is available on the ASPCA pet poison information center.
