Johnson: Easter goodies no-no's for pets

Not only is it official according to the calendar, there is proof that spring is here — the birds are chirping, green is starting to crop through the sea of winter brown, the sun is shining bright and, perhaps best of all, the warm days are starting to outnumber the cold ones.

Though the High Plains have been fortunate to experience a mild winter this year, the beautiful weather and new life that come with its end are still worthy of celebration.

In search of ponies

Timed for the first week of spring and steeped in religious and cultural tradition, Easter is just such an opportunity, and if predictions of temperatures in the low 60’s, bright sun and low wind hold true, Mother Nature might just provide the perfect backdrop for Sunday’s festivities.

Whether going to church, egg hunts, family picnics and gatherings, or all of the above, spending time with family and friends is a large part of Easter Sunday for Americans -- 80 percent of whom say they celebrate the holiday, and nearly 60 percent of which plan to get together with others, according to the National Retail Federation.

Aside from gathering with loved ones, Easter comes with other traditions which are greatly anticipated by the little ones but not so good for the furry children.

Candy — the NRF projects $2.4 billion worth this year — is the star of the Easter show, especially for the little hands that are just itching to dig through baskets of the sugary stuff.

Among the jellybeans, cream filled eggs and marshmallow chicks; the chocolate bunny might be the most revered of all, particularly with long ears that beg to be bitten off.

For the dog, however, the bunny and other treats are not so good.

Not only will the kiddos screech and cry if the pooch plunders their baskets, the result is also likely to put the dog in a not so festive mood. In fact, pretty much everything in the typical Easter basket is a no-no for dogs.

Chocolate can cause stomach upset, tremors, elevated heart rate and seizures, xylitol (a sweetener used in many candies) can cause stomach upset, seizures and liver failure, raisins are known to cause kidney failure, and nuts are linked to stomach upset and pancreatitis.

Even the brightly colored, plastic shreds of grass the goodies are hidden in pose a threat when sucked into the gullet of a snarfling dog rooting for treats.

Likewise, cats may be drawn to the stringiness of Easter grass, and, not a recommended source of fiber, suffice it to say the stuff has a harder time coming out than going in, which can cause a medical emergency.

While cats tend to ignore human treats, plants are often irresistible and in recent years awareness has grown about the dangers of lilies and daffodils, both of which are springtime favorites and unfortunately, also extremely toxic to felines. Every part of these plants, including the pollen from the blooms, is dangerous — a little nibble or even a lick is all it takes — and can result in vomiting, seizures, kidney failure and ultimately death, so the sooner the vet is called, the better.

In the event one of the critters does manage to partake in the holiday goodies or decorations, consult a veterinarian or animal poison line at the first signs of trouble.

Celebrating traditions with family and friends, stuffing the kids full of candy, spending the day outdoors and soaking up some fresh air and sun are great ways to welcome spring — but to ensure a happy day for all, keep the goodies and pretty things out of reach of pets.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

[email protected]