As well as religious celebrations, Easter is a time we associate with cute bunnies, lots of chocolate, Spring flowers and fun activities such as Easter Egg hunts!
Although Easter can be great fun for humans of all ages, it can also be a fun time for your kitty - as long as you take a few precautions to help them have a safe and happy time!
Easter brings lots of new and fun things with it! But, not all Easter treats are cat-friendly, so be sure to take precautions around:
Toys and Easter Baskets: Easter gifts are often packaged in baskets with decorations such as artificial grass. While this may look pretty, it will be harmful to your kitty if it is eaten or ingested by them, so be sure to keep them away! Similarly, your furry friend may find small decorative Easter toys interesting to play with, but again, these can be dangerous to your cat if chewed or swallowed. Watch out for small, chewable items!
Chocolate: It's well known that chocolate is toxic for dogs, but did you know that the same is true for cats? Whilst our feline friends are generally less inclined to eat chocolate than dogs, some of the ingredients in chocolate (theobromine and caffeine) are still toxic to our kitties, and even a small amount can be harmful.
If you think your cat has eaten even a small amount of chocolate, you should contact your vet immediately.
Signs of chocolate toxicity may include vomiting & diarrhea, panting and restlessness.
Flowers: There are lots of lovely Spring flowers that you can have in your home at Easter! And while some are cat friendly, like the African violet, Orchid, and Spider plant - one flower in particular you should avoid is the lily. They are beautiful flowers to humans, but unfortunately the entire plant is toxic for cats and can quickly cause kidney failure. So if you are given a lovely bouquet of Lilies at Easter time, it may be best to re-gift them to someone who does not have a cat in their home, or if this is not possible, keep them 100% out of your cat’s reach, in a room where they cannot go.
If you think your cat has come in contact with a Lily, it is important to contact your vet immediately. Brushing past a Lily is enough to deposit harmful material such as pollen onto your cat’s coat; which can then be ingested quite innocently when your cat grooms themself.
Signs of Lily poisoning are:
Aside from these precautions, there are lots of ways to help your feline friend enjoy Easter!
Easter Hunt: Instead of a chocolate egg, why not hide treats and bits of kibble for your kitty to find? Your cat will smell the treats and seek them out, making for great entertainment for both you and your kitty!
Easter meal: Treat your cat to the kitty equivalent of your Easter meal - even serve it in an Easter decorated bowl!
Easter accessories: A new cozy kitty bed in bright Spring colours could be useful, especially if you’re in a Spring-cleaning frame of mind! It may take a little while for your cat to accept a change, but putting one of their favourite blankets or covers inside will soon make it feel like home to them.
A new, bright Easter themed collar with a bell may also be useful, especially if your cat likes to be outside! Spring is a time when birds and small mammals are at their most vulnerable and your cat will probably be unable to resist practicing their hunting skills. Although you do not want to suppress these instincts, a collar with a bell might give their prey a chance.
Or perhaps you might treat your feline friend to a new scratching post that has some Easter toys attached to it? This will be particularly useful if your furry friend is an indoor cat.
Easter toys: There are lots of ideas for toys for cats that can be adapted for Easter. For example, make use of any cardboard egg cartons and turn them into a play time puzzle for your kitty by placing some treats in the holes. Your cat will have lots of fun trying to retrieve them!
A fishing rod cat toy with some bright feathers will help them practice their natural capture instincts. Alternatively, you could try a catnip toy which they can chase or, if you are feeling creative, knit some small mice to play with!
Easter photoshoot: For your kitty album, try and capture the special Easter moments when your cat is napping in their new bed, or playing with their new toys. But remember, cats are not posers, so you may need some tips to help you get that purrfect shot!
Over the Easter weekend, you may have lots of people visiting (social distancing permitting of course!) or your kids may be enjoying their own Easter Egg hunts. Remember that cats like routine and can be wary of visitors; so if you’re planning to celebrate Easter, plan ahead with FELIWAY CLASSIC, which will provide enhanced serenity for your cat and help them feel more comfortable and secure during your Easter celebrations.