How not to kill your cat this Easter

How not to Kill your Cat this Easter

By Dr. Dianne Hernandez, DVM - Bellalago Veterinary Hospital

Let’s make make sure everyone survives that weekend!!

There are some of the usual holiday threats on Easter weekend: fatty people food that will cause Pancreatitis, fake Easter grass that end up tangled up in your pet's intestines when ingested, or chocolate toxicity. However, the biggest Easter danger is the deadly Easter Lily.

Lilies will definitely kill your cat. There is no mercy with this flower - the leaves, petals, stems, even the little bit of pollen that falls into the water in the vase can send your cat into severe, acute renal failure. This is why every Easter (and every Valentines day) I pull all those little cat assassins right on out of the arrangement and into the trash. It can be rude to the person who got you the flowers, but they understand when you explain it. I really think this flowers should come with warning label on them: TOXIC TO CATS. They’re VERY dangerous.

There are other safe options: gerbera daisies. Lilacs. Tulips and even ‘benign lilies’ like callas and peace lilies, which can cause a little GI upset but won’t send your cat to the hospital. You can have wonderful Easter flowers and a happy alive cat, which is a really good combination. When it comes to Easter flowers - When in doubt, throw ’em out.

Of course, if your cat does get in to your Easter flowers, bring them in to us ASAP or to the emergency hospital. Don't wait!