Easter, like most holidays, holds traditions that are harmful for companion animals.  Easter lilies, while beautiful, are one of the most poisonous plants for cats.  Just a few nibbles of any part of this plant will kill your cat – so please do not put any Easter lilies in your home if you have cats.  Even if you think your cat cannot reach the plant, there is a good chance he can and this is not the kind of risk you should take!

Easter baskets are fun to hide and even more fun to find.  But be very careful that your pets do not get to those baskets before the kids do.  From the chocolate to the fake plastic grass, many items in a typical basket are harmful for your pets if they consume them. 

Easter is also a time when some people believe it’s a good idea to buy or adopt a rabbit as a pet (tis the season, right?).  But rabbits, like any companion animal, require some serious consideration before you decide to adopt one.  First off, rabbits can live up to 10 years.  So when looking at the cute bunny, make sure to ask yourself if you are ready for a 10 year commitment with this animal.  Rabbits are rather fragile, high maintenance creatures:  they can overheat easily (so you cannot keep them outside), if held wrong they can break their own backs, they love to chew everything from wires to couches so everything in your home must be bunny-proofed, they require at least two hours a day out of their cage so they can run around and get exercise, the cage they live in must be at least four times the rabbit’s body length.  In my opinion, rabbits are higher maintenance than cats, but just a little less than dogs and are not very good pets for younger children.

Please be careful this holiday so that your animals can enjoy the festivities as much as you do and make sure to seriously consider the responsibilities before adopting a rabbit.  Happy Easter!