How you can involve your dog in Easter, without using chocolate

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How you can involve your dog in Easter, without using chocolate

RSPCA Australia
Wednesday, 17 April 2019

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More and more Australians are now aware that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, cats and other animals – it’s great that this important message has reached so many pet owners, and that our furry pals are being protected from ingesting chocolate and suffering the consequences.

But with Easter around the corner, you might be keen to still involve your pet in the celebrations. Here are some suggestions, and also a few warnings, about how you can still engage your pooch in Easter, while keeping their welfare front of mind.

Easter hunts don’t have to be all about chocolate!

Your dog will love sniffing out treats as part of an Easter hunt. You can hide his dry food, or a few special treats (in moderation), around the house and see how long it takes for him to sniff them out.

Just remember, if you’re also having a traditional chocolate Easter egg hunt for the kids, make sure your dog is either safely secured or that the eggs aren’t hidden within his reach, to avoid any accidental eating of the chocolate!

Easter can still mean special food for your dog to enjoy

Easter can be a time of indulgence for humans, and there’s no reason why your dog can’t enjoy a special treat – this can be in the form of food, a special toy, extra playtime or a nice long walk. For dogs, spending time with you can far outweigh a food treat, so remember that your undivided attention is the best treat of all.

If you do want to give your dog a special food treat, consider giving vegetable snacks, like a piece of carrot or cucumber (cut in a way to avoid the risk of choking). You can also offer a small amount of fruit, such as banana or apple without the seeds – just be mindful of not overfeeding fruit, as it does have a high sugar content.

And remember to avoid grapes, raisings, onion and avocado, as these foods can be toxic to dogs.

Think twice before dressing your pup up for that perfect Instagram shot

A dog wearing bunny ears might sound like Instagram gold, but it’s important to remember that many dogs don’t enjoy dressing up, especially when the costume sits on or goes over their head.

If you really want to get your dog into the Easter spirit, go for an Easter-themed bandana that can be loosely tied around their neck. Always supervise your dog when they’re wearing anything other than a collar, and remember to immediately remove the accessory if your dog seems uncomfortable.

As the weather gets cooler, Easter weekend is often spent cuddled up on the couch with a good book and a hot drink – and there’s no doubt that your pooch will happily snuggle with you for some quality time.

We love our pets, and we love sharing special holidays with them. With your dog’s welfare front and centre, you can still enjoy Easter with your favourite fur pal.

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How you can involve your dog in Easter, without using chocolate

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